Free HAMMERED (Mrs. Fix It Mysteries Book 1) by Belle Knudson

They both liked to cook so they’d splurged.
    Still sitting in the truck, Kate called Carly.
    “Hey, girl,” Carly said. “I was just thinking about you.”
    “How would you like to come over for dinner?”
    If she plied Carly with wine, she might remember something.
    “That sounds great. I’m ready to get out of this apartment. I’d love to come over. I’ll bring dessert.”
    “Sounds good. I need an hour.”
    An hour later, Kate had showered and had a salad made when Carly knocked then entered. They had that kind of friendship. They knew the layout of each other’s kitchen and could just walk into each other’s spaces.
    Kate pulled a chilled bottle of chardonnay out of the refrigerator, then poured two glasses.
    “I heard Scott’s off the hook,” Carly said.
    “The grapevine in this town never ceases to amaze me.”
    Carly laughed then drank some wine. “I’m surprised you aren’t celebrating with Scott.”
    “He asked.”
    She leaned on her granite countertop. All she had to do was grill some chicken to top the salad with and they’d have dinner. She’d picked up some fresh vegetables the day before from the farmer’s market.
    “Then why are you here with me? That man wants you so badly.”
    “How do you know?”
    Carly sighed. “He’s seen you on the street. He stares at you as if the sun rose and set with you.”
    “When?”
    “Oh, Kate. He is usually on his way to work when you’re coming out of the hardware store. I have a great view of that part of Main Street.”
    “He hasn’t been in town that long.”
    “Still.”
    Kate waved a hand. “I’m still a married woman.”
    “You know my theory on where Greg is, and he’s not keeping his wedding vows.”
    Kate didn’t want to go down that road. She’d invited Carly over to talk about Jackie, not Scott.
    “So since Scott is cleared and I’m cleared, you were the last person to see her alive. Have you remembered anything else about that day?”
    “I’m not a suspect, am I?”
    “Did you have a reason to kill someone who is a perfect stranger to you?”
    “Not perfect. I hadn’t met her, but my dad had some dealings with her. He wasn’t a fan, but you know my dad. He doesn’t really get mad. He probably had more reason to kill her than I did. What he lost in her deal had no effect on me. I turned down the opportunity. Glad I did.”
    “In hindsight, it was a good decision.”
    “The shop wasn’t doing well at that moment, so I didn’t have any cash to spare,” Carly said.
    “You said you saw Larry’s chief’s truck there?”
    “Yes.”
    Celia had said the same thing. Kate couldn’t figure out why that was significant, but she’d ask Larry next time she saw him. He’d been absent from her life for a few days. Odd for him, but with Scott badgering her she welcomed the relief of not fending off two men.
    First world problems, for sure.
    “I don’t remember any houses for sale near Scott’s.”
    “Maybe he was just checking something for someone. You know Larry. He’s a good guy. Takes his work as fire chief seriously.”
    “That might be.”
    That explanation didn’t sit right with Kate. She didn’t know why. She couldn’t imagine Larry hurting a fly. He’d been sweet and patient with her. He wasn’t pushy and demanding like Scott. He was nothing like Scott.
    Where Scott was all ego and charm, Larry was gentle and loving. If she had to make a choice, it should be Larry. He’d treat her like a queen. No doubt.
    Larry sadly didn’t get her motor running.
    Didn’t matter. She was still a married woman. She couldn’t forget that. She had two sons to be a role model for. Sons that she’d raised to do the right thing. Which was what she was doing.
    “So, Jackie looked okay when you saw her?”
    “She wasn’t staggering, just walking on those impossibly high heels that some women call maneuver on.”
    “I’m not one of them,” Kate said.
    A kitten heel was enough for her.
    Carly sipped her wine. “Why