Free Sally Berneathy - Death by Chocolate 03 - The Great Chocolate Scam by Sally Berneathy

smile as phony as anything Bryan or Marissa could produce. “Have fun. Don’t forget to write.”
    She blinked a couple of times then, unable to figure out what I meant, just nodded.
    Trent called right in the middle of the lunch rush. Normally I don’t answer any calls during those hours. My friends know that, and they wait until after closing time. So when I heard Trent’s ring tone, I knew it must be important. Balancing a tray of sandwiches and cookies in one hand, I pulled my phone from my pocket with the other. “Hello?”
    “ I just wanted to let you know we’re taking down the crime scene tape from Rick’s house today.”
    “ Thank you!”
    “ Call me later.”
    I wanted to jump and shout and laugh and yell. Instead I shoved my phone back into my pocket and took the food out to the customers. There would be time to celebrate tonight. Just Trent and me. The thought put a big smile on my face that did n’t disappear even when a customer left a quarter tip.
    After Paula and I closed up, I dashed home with the intention of putting my sheets in the washer immediately. I only have one set of sheets for each bed. That way I save on storage room, and I never have to try to fold that stupid fitted sheet.
    Even the sight of two cars parked in front of my house, one a shiny Cadillac and the other a battered Ford, didn’t diminish my happiness. All I had to do was send them to Rick’s house and let them destroy the furniture and each other. I didn’t care if they totally demolished everything, even the house itself.
    All five of them burst from their cars and converged on me as soon as I started across the yard. I made a mad dash for the door but barely got the key in the lock before they hit the front porch.
    “The tape’s gone, and my boys and I need to get in!” Marissa shouted.
    “ Don’t let her! She has no right to be there! That’s my son’s inheritance!” Grace shouted, though her high pitched voice was no competition for Marissa’s powerful tones.
    “ Mama, I don’t like that woman!” Rickie whined.
    Brad and Clint remained silent, hanging around the fringes. One of them was a peeping Tom, but it could be worse. They could both be like Rickie.
    I spun around to face them, my back against the door. “Go, all of you! There’s five bedrooms. Sort it out on your own.” I waved my hands in an outward gesture.
    “It’s locked!” Marissa said.
    “ We can’t get in,” Grace added.
    Damn. Of course the door was locked, and I distinctly remembered throwing my key at Rick the night I moved out. Hit him on the nose. One of my better memories.
    The cops got in. There had to be a way. I’d call Trent and ask him. If Rick’s relatives couldn’t get in, apparently the cops hadn’t kicked down the door.
    “ Stay here,” I said. “I’ll make a phone call and get you in.”
    Marissa and Grace began shouting and grabbing at me. I got the door open and slid inside, closing it behind me, almost getting somebody’s hand. For a moment I leaned against it, trying to catch my breath and calm down. Thank goodness Rick had never insisted on spending Thanksgiving with his family! I’d have had to kill somebody with the carving knife.
    Outside Grace and Marissa were still shouting at each other and Rickie was still whining. The boys were still silent. Probably knew ther e was no point in trying to out-shout their mother.
    Henry trotted up, meowing in a complaining voice.
    “Don’t worry,” I assured him. “I’m not going to let them inside. But if they get in, you have my permission to attack. Just be careful of Marissa. I’m not sure she’s had her rabies shots.”
    My cell phone rang. Fred. The moment I heard his ring tone, I realized I did n’t have to call the cops or get a key. I had a neighbor who possessed all sorts of arcane knowledge about breaking and entering.
    “I’m so glad you called,” I said, following Henry to the kitchen while I talked. Priorities. Feeding my cat was even more