Free Deadly Pumpkin Slice (A Sinful Sweets Cozy Mystery) by Carol Lee Page B

too worried about getting across the street and staying hidden in the dark!”
     
    “That was probably smart. When I looked back, I saw Madelyn. I didn’t know it was her, but it had to be—blond, tall, beautiful. She was back at Aaron’s house. Do you think she’s the one who sent us the warning? Do you think she was tipped off that someone was in his house? What do you think their relationship was?” Sydney spouted off questions in rapid fire.
     
    “Maybe she was his girlfriend and those photos were his mistresses. What if he was sleeping around while telling her he was being faithful? Some girls are crazy, that could be enough cause for murder for them.”
     
    “Oh my goodness. I think you’re right! Let’s sleep on it and see if we have any other clues or ideas in the morning.”
     
    “Back to work in the morning? Detective Massey left a note saying we’re cleared,” Grace told her.
     
    “Wow, I never thought I’d be happy to have a day off, but we wouldn’t have found any of these suspects if we’d been working. We’ll have to open, but maybe we can delay any orders for a couple more days.”
     
    “We do have another order for Aaron’s funeral to fill.”
     
    “Hopefully we’ll be able to find the killer tomorrow and then we’ll have plenty of time to make the pumpkin muffins for the funeral,” Sydney said hopefully. “Do you want me to bring you home after I let out Maple?”
     
    “Actually, I think I’ll stay at your place tonight. It’ll be a short night, getting up to work, and it’s probably best to have two sets of ears—or three, with Maple—listening for anything out of the ordinary.”
     
    “You’re probably right. I don’t know what I’d do without you!”
     
    They both got out of the car and headed toward Sydney’s house. It had been a longer afternoon and evening than Sydney had expected and she silently apologized to Maple for coming home so late and missing her dinner.
     
    Maple didn’t seem to mind. She jumped for joy as soon as Sydney walked in. She ran between Sydney and Grace, giving both of them thanks for coming back and keeping her company.
     
    “Sheets and towels are in the hall closet. Help yourself while I take Maple out.”
     
    Sydney picked up the leash and Maple knew it was finally her turn to go out. They walked down the front steps and Sydney immediately felt like she was being watched. She looked up and down the street, but she recognized all the cars.
     
    Maple led her around the block and stopped in a yard to do her business. Sydney bent down to pick-up the offering, and the feeling increased. She got goose bumps down her spine.
     
    A car drove by slowly, headlights dimmed.
     
    “Let’s go home, Maple,” Sydney said, finally realizing she might have gotten in too far.
     
    As they neared the house, she saw the same car. It was still going slow, but she swore the driver was a blond woman.
     
    ***
     
    Sydney didn’t sleep. She was running through all of the clues in her mind, but she knew there was still a missing piece. Or pieces. Her top suspects after the day’s events were Lewis, Arthur and Madelyn. She knew they’d be able to find more about the two men online—they would both have business profiles and websites that might reveal more about their character.
     
    But she would have to track down Madelyn. Unless she could bait her to come to her.
     
    She must have finally fallen asleep, because she was awoken suddenly by her alarm. Maple had even managed to sleep through the night, not getting up to jump on the bed or stick her wet nose in her face. Hopefully she hadn’t been doing those things to Grace instead.
     
    Sydney walked into the living room and saw Maple curled into an unlikely small section of the couch at Grace’s feet. “Maple, let’s go,” she called quietly, letting the dog out into the backyard.
     
    Sydney went to the front door to look for the same car that had been following her on her walk the