Free The Sweet Taste of Murder: An Angel Lake Mystery by CeeCee James

the same yoga class makes us close friends. By the way, your downward dog definitely needs some improvement.”
    “I hardly dare to ask why you’re such an expert.” Crystal took a delicate sip of water.
    Lavina laughed. “Oh, honey. I’m an expert in all sorts of things. But it seems you lost your chance to ask Cameron about that. Being newly single and all.”
    Crystal slammed her glass down. The sound seemed to startle her into reining in her emotions, and she drew in a deep breath. “Could I get a napkin?” She smiled at Kata. Then, coolly she answered, “I believe we’ve all lost the chance to ask Cameron something. I hear your getting a new sibling? A new itty bitty who might be contesting daddy’s will with you? By the way, have you been asked if you have an alibi?”
    Lavina went visibly white behind her sunglasses. Ada turned towards Elise, having just finished the last few strokes of the clear top coat on Lavina’s nails.
    “Elise, darlin'. Do you care if we continue our day elsewhere?” Lavina’s tone was cheery despite her countenance.
    “Of course.” Elise stood up, taking her hand from the esthetician. “Maybe another day,” she said to Ada.
    “Oh. Leaving so soon?” Crystal’s face shone with victory. “That’s too bad. I imagine it’s so difficult to squeeze in a manicure with all the hours you put in waitressing. Nice to see you give yourself a rare treat, dear.”
    “I’m not a waitress. I own the deli. But, it’s okay. At your age, we can’t expect your memory to be perfect.” Lavina pulled out a hundred dollar bill from her purse and set it on the table. “Thank you, Ada. It was a joy as usual. Please keep the extra as recompense for the uglier people you must deal with.” And with that, she adjusted her sunglasses and glided out.
    Elise followed, feeling slightly out of her league.

CHAPTER 14
    L avina was tight-lipped as they left the salon and asked Elise to excuse her. “I feel a headache coming on. We’ll have to do it another day, darlin'.”
    Elise gave her friend a hug. She drove home replaying the scene at the nail salon over and over. “This isn’t going to get any better thinking about it,” she muttered with a grimace. But something in the back of her mind wouldn’t let it go…triggering her to pay attention.
    What was it?
    Something that nasty old Crystal said? Elise twirled her Fitbit, trying to remember. She glanced at the rubber bracelet and pushed the button. Her eyes widened when she saw how low the number of steps were that she’d taken. If she was every going to compete in the half-marathon, she’d better get a move on.
    Her phone rang. “Hello?”
    “Hey, Elise. It’s Brad.”
    A smile skirted her lips before she could help it. “Hi, Brad. How are you?”
    “I’m good. Staying out of trouble?”
    “Always.” The grin was getting bigger, darn it. “What’s going on?”
    “I figured since you are feeling so detectivish I better do something to keep an eye on you. Want to tag along while I go over some footage from the outside of the McMahon dealership?”
    “You don’t need to ask me twice. Yes!”
    “Great! Want to meet in a half hour?”
    “Where? At the dealership?”
    “Not yet. Let’s meet at the movie theater.”
    “Oh—kay.”
    He laughed. “Seriously, I’m going over an alibi for Frank. I’m a little smoother than that.”
    Fifteen minutes later, Elise ran inside the theater where Brad was already interviewing a concessions stand worker. She walked up just in time to hear the teen say, “Yeah, he was here. I recognize him.” The teen handed Frank’s photo back to Brad.
    “You have something to say about him?” Brad asked.
    The kid scratched at a zit on his chin. “He, uh. I bumped into him out in the hall about twenty minutes after his movie started.”
    “Was he getting snacks? Going to the restroom?” Brad asked, his pen poised above his notepad.
    The kid shook his head. “Nah. He was coming from that way.”