Free Sweet Friend of Mine (A Sweet Cove Mystery Book 8) by J A Whiting Page B

him.”
    “You knew him?” Angie’s expression became serious wondering what Louisa knew about Darren.
    One corner of Louisa’s mouth turned down. “I knew who he was. He didn’t know me.”
    Betty tapped at her phone. “He is a fine young man. Nothing at all what you’d think a pop-rock musician would be like.”
    “Are you stereotyping musicians?” Angie smiled.
    “Oh, you know what I mean, drugs, party boys, spending money like water, acting crazy.”
    Louisa and Angie laughed.
    Betty ignored the girls. “This young man is a serious musician. He is serious about making the right investments.” The Realtor raised her eyes to Angie. “Are you sure you don’t want to sell this place?” she asked sweetly.
    Angie rolled her eyes. “I’m sure. Anyway, the Victorian doesn’t have enough privacy for a famous person. It’s right on the main road to the beach.”
    “I know.” Betty groaned. “I must find the right property. I don’t want to lose this client.” She lifted her latte and sipped through the straw. “Why don’t you open this shop an hour earlier in the morning? It would be much more convenient for me.”
    It was Angie and Louisa’s turn to groan.
    Even in the winter months, Angie’s bake shop buzzed with activity as town regulars filled the place. It was a good opportunity for the locals to sit and shoot the breeze with each other, sharing gossip and catching up on the goings-on in town.
    Filling orders and carrying treats and drinks to customers at tables, Angie had picked up on bits of conversations and most of them were focused on the missing young man. Her heart clenched thinking about Ryan. The more days that passed since he’d driven off the road, the more hope waned.
    During a lull in serving the customers, Angie and Louisa refilled the cases and put used dishes into the dishwasher. Angie asked, “Do you know anything about Darren Wilton?”
    Louisa grinned. “I wish.” Handing a man his change and a pastry bag for takeout, she added. “I don’t know much. He was adorable, played in a band. Lots of girls would have liked to date him.”
    “Did he have a girlfriend back then?”
    “I don’t think he did. Not that I ever heard. He was solely focused on music, which seems to have worked out for him, doesn’t it.” Louisa grinned.
    “Did you know Ryan Allen?”
    Louisa shook her head. “I didn’t. I’m five years older so I had graduated before he started high school.”
    “Then I guess you don’t know Ryan’s friend, Henry Whitaker.”
    “I know who Henry is. My younger sister dated him very briefly.” Louisa packed some donuts into a box for a customer.
    “She did?” Angie was eager to hear what Louisa had to say. “What did she think of him? Why did they break up?”
    Louisa wiped her hands on a towel and leaned back against the counter. “Now that I think of it, they only dated for a few weeks. Natalie told me he was immature.” Louisa smiled. “But you know Natalie, she’s more mature than everyone on the planet.” Louisa’s sister was studying law at Columbia University.
    “I know it was quite a while ago, but did Natalie give you any details?”
    “Natalie said he was a pain, demanding, jealous, wanted to know who she was with and what she was doing all the time. Natalie would never put up with that nonsense. She only dated Henry for less than a month before she put an end to it.”
    What Louisa told Angie caused an unpleasant tingling sensation to run down her back.
    “That’s all I know about him. I never even met him.” Louisa went to clear off a table for some people who had just come in.
    For the rest of the morning and all through lunchtime while filling orders and chatting with customers, Angie’s mind was never far from rehashing the details of the case. Ryan went off the road. His parents couldn’t find him. He’d had a couple of beers with Henry. Henry said that Darren and Ryan weren’t close friends, but Darren reported that he and