Free Christmas Tree Catastrophe (Lily Bloom Cozy Mystery Series Book 6) by Lyndsey Cole

coffee and placed his cup on the table. “Delicious coffee, by the way. Now, if you want to help your friend, ask her about her past relationship with Malcolm. I found out some interesting information that I’m guessing she hasn’t shared with anyone.” He pushed his chair back and stood up. “If you’ll excuse me, my bed is calling.” He kissed Lily and told her he couldn’t wait to be with her at the opening later.
    “Well, I never,” Iris stammered. “He ate my food and didn’t even give us any information. Lily, I hope you aren’t making a big mistake by marrying that cop.”
    Lily couldn’t help but chuckle at her mother’s attempt to blackmail Ryan. “But he did give us a bit of information. Let’s get these dishes cleaned up and give Tamara a visit. She’s probably out of her mind by now and she’ll be ready to tell us whatever Ryan was hinting about.”
    ***
    Lily and Iris were led into a small room where Tamara was waiting for them. A policeman closed and locked the door, on guard outside the door until they were ready to leave.
    Tamara leaned as far across the table as she could. “You won’t believe who my cellmate is,” she whispered.
    Iris’s eyes widened. “A mass murderer?”
    “No, don’t be ridiculous.” Tamara settled back in her chair. “This is Misty Valley. No mass murderer would be in this jail.”
    “Well, you’re here and they think you’re a murderer.”
    Tamara waved the comment off like it was nothing. “That’s different. No, I’m sharing the cell with a prostitute. Can you believe it? Here? In Misty Valley? And, she’s smart, kind and thoughtful. She just made some bad choices and got down on her luck and got desperate and—”
    “Slow down,” Lily said, interrupting Tamara. “Before you tell us those details, we need to talk about you. I’m not sure how long we’ll be allowed to stay in here, so you need to help us if we’re going to figure out a way to help you.”
    Tamara took a deep breath. “Okay. There isn’t much I can tell you though. I didn’t kill Malcolm and I don’t have a clue who did.”
    Lily wasn’t going to beat around the bush. “What’s your history with Malcolm Moss, Tamara? Is there something that could make it appear like you had a motive to kill him?”
    Tamara’s face turned a light shade of pink. Scrunching up her mouth, her eyes went everywhere else in the room except to face Lily. “History? Is that necessary? All the painful stuff that I blocked out years ago? I’d much rather tell you how I plan to help my cellmate once we’re out of here—therapy, an apartment—”
    Lily stood up. “Stop changing the subject or I’m leaving. I want to help you but I can’t if you don’t level with us. What is it that Ryan thinks is your motive to kill Malcolm?”
    A tear leaked from the corner of Tamara’s eye and she wiped her nose with the sleeve of her shirt. “A few years ago, Malcolm and I went to an event together. I drove. On the way home, I had an accident. Malcolm contacted some of his friends and took care of the problem.”
    Lily sat down and reached across the table, putting her hand on top of Tamara’s. “What was the problem?”
    “I am only aware of what he told me since I had a concussion and lost my memory for the whole night.” She looked up at Lily and Iris. “He told me I hit someone and he made me get in the passenger seat and he drove away.”
    Iris covered her mouth with her hand. “I remember that accident. It was a hit and run and the police never solved the case.”
    Tamara nodded. “That’s right. He’s been blackmailing me ever since. Nothing extravagant, but I helped him with a down payment for his car and stuff like that.”
    Lily slammed her hands on the table, leaping up from her chair so quickly it tipped over backwards, crashing on the floor. “That’s ridiculous. If you have no memory of the night, maybe he made the whole thing up. And, if he drove away, he’s responsible too.