Free Fudge-Laced Felonies by Cynthia Hickey Page B

redbrick-fronted building. Opening the glass doors with brass trim, I heard soft music playing in the background. I stepped farther in and inhaled the pleasant aroma of something floral.
    Terri Lee wasn’t behind the counter. A rather plump woman masked in pancake makeup greeted me with a huge smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Welcome. How may I help you?”
    “Is Terri Lee in?”
    “Are you a friend of hers?” The woman looked down her nose at me and curled her lip. I smoothed my hand down my jeans, wishing I’d worn something classier.
    “More like an acquaintance.” How could I get this woman to let me see Terri Lee without arousing suspicion? “I’m interested in possibly having her design a piece of jewelry for me.”
    “How wonderful, but I’m afraid Terri Lee isn’t in. Apparently she’s picking up a shipment of supplies for her jewelry as we speak. Would you like to leave your number?”
    “No, thank you. I’ll try to catch her another time.”
    Great. Strike one.
    Back on the sidewalk, I turned left, walked half a block, and entered the nondescript plaster building that housed Mountain Shadows’ only newspaper. Ruby sat behind the receptionist desk, a Hollywood magazine in hand. She didn’t look much happier to see me than the woman at the jewelry store.
    “If this is about the pictures for the paper, Summer, it isn’t my fault.” Ruby smacked the magazine on the desk. “Mabel hasn’t written the story yet. The diamonds and the dead boy are bigger news.”
    “That’s okay, Ruby. I figured it was something like that.” Actually, I’d forgotten all about the pictures with everything else that had been going on. Now I’d practice my new investigative skills. “How did the guy die?”
    Ruby leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Homicide. Stabbed multiple times in the back.”
    That would explain the blood on the gardening gloves. “Wow. Wasn’t he here to see Terri Lee Rupert?”
    “That’s what the Ruperts claim, but if you ask me, that girl doesn’t seem too broken up about her beau being dead. She’s been making moon eyes at Ethan Banning. Oh, add the jailbird to the list of her prey.”
    An ice-cold fist gripped my heart. “Really?”
    “Yep. Seen ’em with my own eyes, and you know nothing gets past these baby blues. Not ten minutes ago, she and Ethan strolled into the diner across the street.”
    I spun around. Would it be too obvious if I went over there for lunch? I didn’t care. Aunt Eunice could handle the store for another half hour. “Do they have any suspects in the boy’s death?”
    “Not a one.” She retrieved the magazine from the desktop. “I’d best be getting back to work. I wouldn’t want anyone saying I don’t earn my pay.”
    I turned to stare out the window at the red awning of Lou’s Diner. The large plate-glass window sent off a glare in the noon sun, and I couldn’t see anyone sitting inside. With a deep breath, I exited the newspaper office, crossed the street, and pushed through the swinging doors of the diner before I lost my nerve.
    Ethan’s laugh was the first sound I heard. Then he called my name as he waved me over. “Come sit with us.” He motioned to the chair beside Terri Lee. “We haven’t ordered yet.”
    “I’m ordering takeout.” Now why did I say that? Why did I insist on being antisocial with Terri Lee around? There was no reason I couldn’t sit with them. I could’ve interrogated her. And watched Ethan’s reaction.
    “Are you sure? We’ve plenty of room.” My gaze zeroed in on the fine laugh lines around his eyes, and it took everything I had to shift my attention to Terri Lee. “I stopped by the jewelry store today. Thought maybe the two of us could get better acquainted. The lady behind the counter said you were picking up a shipment of gems.”
    “That’s true. High-quality diamonds. Several first-water quality.” Terri Lee smoothed a napkin across her lap. “I plan on picking them up after