Free Murder in Marietta (A Trixie Montgomery Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Deborah Malone Page B

concerns. When this much destruction is evident, it usually means someone was looking for something. At this point, we’re not sure what and if they’ve found it. Also, none of the other rooms have been disturbed which makes me think you might have surprised the burglar.”
    My heart made an unplanned trip into my throat. If what he stated was true, it’s possible whoever broke in would come back to finish the job.
    “That means they might return.” Dee Dee’s voice quivered.
    “Yes ma’am. That’s a concern. We checked all the windows to confirm they’re locked. When we leave, please lock up and check the dead bolt. I’m not trying to scare you. I just want you to be safe. Truth is, they’re unlikely to come back, but I’ll have the officers patrol the area throughout the night.”
    The officers packed up their equipment and left us to deal with the aftermath of the break in.
    “I don’t know about you girls, but I sure don’t feel like sleeping.” My nerves felt like electricity coursed through them, and thoughts swirled through my mind like leaves in a whirlwind.
    “Me neither,” Dee Dee said. “What do you think, Nana?”
    “I couldn’t sleep if I had to. Let’s stay up for awhile. I’m so worried about the break in.” She wandered around, picking up undamaged items and returning them to shelves. “Dora was nice enough to let us stay and now someone has broken in and destroyed her belongings. I sure hope she doesn’t think it had anything to do with us.”
    We spent a while cleaning, and collapsed over a pot of hot tea, discussing the events of the last couple of days. Within the hour Nana’s head fell over to the side and she snored loud enough to wake the next town over.
    “Come on Dee Dee. Let’s help Nana to bed. I think I might be able to sleep now.” I doubted I could, but I wanted to lie down and rest. My body ached from weariness.
    “That sounds like a great idea,” Dee Dee said. She went over and shook Nana’s shoulder. “Nana. Off to bed we go.”
    Morning promised to bring a better day when the dawn broke into a luminous show of daylight. Nana cooked another good ole’ down home southern breakfast loaded with fat and cholesterol. Dee Dee grabbed the syrup and poured a liberal amount over her second stack of pancakes.
    “Please pass the syrup, Dee Dee.” I drowned my pancakes in a river of the sweet sugary liquid. I took a huge bite and savored the flavor as it passed over my taste buds. No wonder they called it ‘comfort food.’
    “Nana, are you going to sit with Dora today?” I swirled around another bite and popped it into my mouth.
    “Yes, I’d like to stay with her again. Did y’all go to Gloria’s just to interview her for your story? I have a feeling you had an ulterior motive.”
    “I don’t want you to worry, but Doc wants me and Dee Dee to help him. Detective Bowerman informed him he’s a person of interest in the case, and after all this happened last night—”
    “I knew it. I knew it. I knew it.” Before I finished explaining, Nana did a crazy little dance around the kitchen. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to keep out of the investigation. What do you want me to do?”
    I didn’t want her to do anything. She could help by not helping, but I couldn’t bring myself to say that to her. “Uh, staying with Dora and making sure her needs are taken care of will be a great help.”
    “How in the world am I going to tell Dora someone broke into her house? She doesn’t need any added stress.” Nana’s brows knitted with worry.
    “Let me and Trixie explain everything to her when we drop you off,” Dee Dee suggested. She pushed her plate back and wiped her mouth. Nana filled our coffee cups with fresh brewed coffee.
    “By the way, Trixie, remember that book I found about the history of the Marietta Museum?”
    “Sure, you found it next to the book on Andrews’ Raiders.”
    “That would be the one,” Dee Dee replied. “When I couldn’t sleep