Free A Dead End (A Saints & Strangers Cozy Mystery Book 1) by Keeley Bates Page B

called me with his address, pretending to need a tow.”
    “Quick thinking,” Kit said.
    The mechanic shrugged. “Not my first botched job.” He glanced quickly at Kit’s expensive car. “I mean…”
    Kit patted his arm reassuringly. “I know what you mean. I trust you with Betsy.” She searched his shirt for a nametag. “What’s your name?”
    “Chris.”
    “I trust you, Chris. Anyone who goes to bat for an elderly woman is okay in my book.”
    Chris grinned. “Gotta love Thora. She’s so crazy.”
    Crazy like a fox, Kit thought and handed Chris the keys.
     
    Kit’s thoughts were still on crafty Thora Breckenridge during dinner at Greyabbey with her mother and Huntley.
    “I ran into Margaret Toulouse yesterday at the hair salon,” her mother began and Kit’s insides twisted. She knew what was coming next. “Imagine my surprise when she said that you haven’t been attending her classes.”
    “I’m not attending them because I haven’t signed up for her class,” Kit said.
    Margaret Toulouse was an art history professor at Westdale College. She and Heloise had attended Princeton together and Margaret had been a guest at Greyabbey on multiple occasions over the years.
    Heloise appeared genuinely shocked. “But you enrolled in Westdale,” she said.
    “I did.” Kit speared a piece of asparagus. “But I’m not majoring in art history. I decided to major in psychology.” She watched her mother closely for signs of heart failure.
    Heloise stiffened, then reached for her water goblet. “Good God, Diane. When is Jesus arriving to turn this into wine?”
    “I can bring dessert out if you’re ready,” Diane offered.
    “What does dessert have to do with anything?” Heloise demanded.
    Diane lowered her voice. “It’s plum gin sorbet. I found a special recipe for you.”
    Gin and sorbet in one recipe? Heloise lit up like a Christmas tree. “That’s the best thing I’ve ever heard.” She glanced sharply at Kit. “Hurry up and finish so Diane can bring out dessert.”
    Never in her life had Kit been asked to hurry and finish her dinner so that dessert could be served. Heloise was a stickler for table manners. At least she had been when Kit’s father was still alive. It seemed that they had both changed since his untimely death.
    Heloise said nothing further on the topic of Kit’s major. Kit knew better than to think the issue was resolved. Her mother was simply tucking the disclosure away for later derision.
    “Who is the dark, swarthy man you’ve been seen around town with?” Heloise asked.
    Huntley shot Kit an inquisitive look. It seemed they were both interested in the answer to her question.
    “By dark and swarthy, do you mean the olive-skinned gentleman of Italian descent?”
    Heloise narrowed her eyes. “I suppose I do.”
    “He’s the lead detective in the murder investigation,” Kit said.
    “And why are you spending time with him?” Heloise pressed.
    “I’m not spending time with him in that way,” Kit said, although she wished she was. “I’m helping him with the investigation so I can go back to my house.”
    “Oh,” Heloise said quietly. “Well, Crispin said his friend…” She looked to Huntley for help. “What’s his name again, darling?”
    “Frederick Breedlove.”
    “Mr. Breedlove is dying to meet you now that you’re back. Maybe doubles at the club with Crispin and Arabella?”
    “No,” Kit objected, both on principle and the fact that the guy’s name was Breedlove. “Not until I’m settled. I just started classes and I’m making friends. I don’t want to get sidetracked.”
    “Sidetracked?” Heloise echoed. “Meeting your future husband is not getting sidetracked.” She enunciated the latter part of the sentence, emphasizing her dismay.
    “If you think I’m going to become Kit Breedlove, you’re more delusional than I thought.”
    “Oh Katherine, don’t be so dramatic,” her mother scolded. “You get that from Grandma