Free Frosted on the Ferris Wheel by Laura Pauling

often red herrings and cause confusion where there shouldn’t be any.” She slowed her speech and spoke clearly as if Holly were a child. “A red herring is a type of false clue, meant to mislead the reader.”
    “Thanks,” Holly said dryly.  
    Millicent clapped her hands and let out a squeal. “I knew this club needed me.” Then she grew serious. “That being said, I have information on who the real suspect might be. Based on fact, not on stereotypes.”
    Holly tried to hide her grimace but her body tensed, sending a dull ache across her back. How did Millicent do that—insult Holly while making herself look better, smarter?
    “Okay, let us have it,” Charlene stated, glanced at Holly, her face a blank slate, then focused on Millicent.
    “We all know Gary Schilling was a realtor. I believe you also know he had purchased the abandoned lot. Come to find out, he’s been buying multiple parcels of land, and he’s been doing this for the past couple years. Without telling Joel.”
    “But there’s nothing wrong with purchasing land,” Kitty said. “It’s considered a wise investment.”
    Millicent grinned triumphantly, a gleam in her eyes. She slid copies of receipts across the table. “Yes, but what if he was using the business’s profit to fund these purchases?”
    They murmured, surprised and impressed. Even Holly had to admit this was the biggest break in the case so far.  
    Charlene studied the paper, then nodded. “Good work.”
    “Where do we go from here?” Millicent didn’t give anyone else a chance to answer. “I suggest Kitty and Ann hit the library and town offices and dig up information on these properties. Find out what made them so special.”  
    “I’ll review the photos taken at the crime scene. Maybe I missed something,” Charlene said.
    “Yes!” Millicent fist-pumped the air, then smiled at Holly. “You and I are going undercover.”

    ***

    Fairview Realty was on the opposite side of town from Sunny Side Realty.  
    Holly felt choked up standing here again. It didn’t seem so long ago that she was new in town, about ready to meet Nancy Cummings, the realtor who snagged Just Cheesecake for her, and her apartment across the street. A part of her wanted to go back to a time when she knew no one in town.
    Holly pondered her decision not to mention this resource at the secret meeting. Maybe she didn’t want Millicent shooting her down, making her look like an incompetent fool. Maybe she didn’t want to mention it and then mess it up, like she’d done with just about everything lately. Maybe a part of her secretly wanted to stumble upon a big clue and then present it to her friends.  
    Maybe she was just jealous.
    Ignoring that hard thought, Holly strode to the front door and went inside. The place was clean but spacious. Brochures lay on a table. Nancy sat at a desk, studying papers. Her salt and pepper hair pulled back in a fancy twist.  
    “Nancy?”
    The realtor looked up, confusion on her face as she tried to place Holly.
    “It’s Holly. Holly Hart?” She stepped farther into the room. Why did she feel so nervous? “You helped me find my apartment and place to rent for my business last year.”
    “Of course.” Nancy smiled. “Sometimes it’s hard to remember. But I remember you. How’s the business going? How’s Fairview been for you?” She laughed. “Sorry for all the questions. I like to know my customers are happy.”
    “Just fine. I love small-town life. It’s quaint. It’s charming.” Her voice broke, her emotions finally seeping through.
    Nancy stood and rushed around the desk. She pulled Holly into a motherly hug and patted her back. “Now, now, dear.”
    Holly’s eyes burned with unshed tears. Mostly because she missed her mother. She missed having someone to talk to, really talk to. Charlene had been absent lately. Trent busy with the case and Millicent. Leaving Holly stranded.
    “You tell me everything. My children are all grown up and living