Free Away in a Murder by Tina Anne Page B

and followed him out the door. When he saw me he just rolled his eyes. We followed the man for about a block to the spot of an empty lot.
    “Where?” Marlowe asked the man.
    “See that wise man that looks like it fell over?” the man asked.
    “Yes”, Marlowe said.
    “That’s not a wise man. The robe was covering his face. Didn’t even know it was a real man until my son said that wasn’t the wise man his Sunday school class put there when they helped decorate the lot. I mean, he’s wearing my old costume that I donated to the church for the display. But the class just stuffed old clothes to make the bodies.”
    Sure enough there was a man leaning against a fake wooden wall. It was pretty hard to tell it was an actual man and not a stuffed one. Until you looked at the face. Then you could see the lifeless eyes staring at you.
    Wait a minute there was something familiar about that face. Was it someone I knew? Was I about to be very sad? Then it hit me. No I wasn’t going to be sad. But I was probably going to be a suspect. That face belonged to the reporter who tried to ruin my life. The reporter I just sabotaged on the national evening news. News flash: Al Learner was dead.
    Something was sticking out of his chest? I was trying to see it. I think it was a knife. I leaned in closer. Not only was it a knife but it was a knife with an ornately carved handle. Even worse, it was a knife with an ornately carved penguin shaped handle. A knife that I had seen and admired in Nigel’s office quite often. Damn, I really hoped I was wrong, but something told me I wasn’t.
    Marlowe was on his phone calling someone. The station, I figured. I took charge while he did that. I cleared everyone away from the grass and mud but had them stay close so the officers could question them when they got here. The small group and I stood on the sidewalk and waited. Everyone was curious about the body, but not curious enough to get in trouble with the Chief of Police.
    While I waited I silently thanked Pete for picking out a pair of my better quality shoes. Ones that I could stand in for hours without my feet hurting. I was quite comfortable standing here worrying about who killed Al. And who would be accused of doing it.
    When the officers arrived they got to work right way. I finally got to see the new forensics team. It was one guy, his name tag said Altgilbers. I knew it was German but I had no idea how you pronounced it. He was about six feet tall and what they call barrel chested. When he spoke it was with a German accent. I liked him.
    I watched as the officers and Altgilbers combed through the crime scene and bagged the evidence. Marlowe looked up and started as if he’d forgotten that I was there. He spoke to one of his officers and then they both walked over to me.
    “Misty, I’m sorry. This is not how I wanted our first date to go,” Marlowe said.
    “Really, so you didn’t plan this? You didn’t put the body there just to impress me?”
    “Ha ha. Officer Taylor here will take you home. I’ll stop by later if I can. Otherwise I’ll call you tomorrow.” With that he walked away. He didn’t even attempt to kiss me. Not the right time, maybe?
    Well, not the ending I was hoping for on our first date, but at least the date was memorable.

Chapter 8: Too Smart For That
     
    When I got home Frankie and Pete were waiting for me in my living room. They were sitting on my couch watching TV.
    “You’re home early,” Frankie said.
    “So, how did it go? Not good judging by the look on your face,” Pete said.
    “The date itself was fine.”
    “Uh-oh.” I heard them both say.
    “I learned that he has an adorable little white cat that is deaf and that he rescued.”
    “But…” Pete said.
    “But then a body was found nearby and Marlowe had to go to work. Officer Taylor gave me a ride home.”
    Frankie just looked at me. Pete walked over to me, took my arm and led me to the couch.
    “Sit down, sweetie; I’ll get you a soda.