Free Give Murder A Hand: Lizzie. Book 2 (The Westport Mysteries) by Beth Prentice Page B

had a chance to say bye. But hang
on a second ... did she say Riley had told her? Why was she talking to Riley
about me? And why didn’t I just say no the appointment? Damn she was good.
    I threw the phone back into my handbag and sighed. I’d have to have
a chat with Riley later and ask him why he was talking to Allison, and maybe
get some more information as to how involved the two of them really were. That
was not a conversation I was looking forward to. My stomach churned at the
thought of it.
    Riley had left early this morning and gone back to the house to get
a head-start on the work that needed to be done today. I’d promised I’d help
him as work-wise, I seemed to have a quiet week. I crossed my fingers and hoped
my bookkeeping business wasn’t suffering from all the publicity I’d been
getting over the body in the backyard. Picking up my bag, I headed to my car,
locking the front door behind me.
    Now first thing I noticed as I pulled into my little driveway was
the police car parked at the curb. I cut the engine and really hoped that Riley
had the coffee on. I think I was going to need it.
    “Hi,” I called to Riley as I placed my bag on the couch in the
lounge room.
    “Hey,” I heard him call back. “We’re in the kitchen.”
    Walking into the kitchen, I saw Riley leaning against the counter
and Officer Ed Helms sitting at the table, both with coffee in hand.
    “Oh hello, Officer Helms.” I smiled, stretching my neck to try to
alleviate the tension that was already building there.
    “Hi, Lizzie,” he replied. “And please remember to call me Ed.” He
smiled a super-white smile, and extended his hand for me to shake. I accepted
it and felt the heat of his skin as he held on for slightly longer than I thought
was necessary.
    “Sorry ... Ed.” I smiled back at him and removed my hand as Riley
gave me a cup of coffee. “Thanks.” I looked at Riley to see if he had noticed
the handshake but it appeared he hadn’t. Well, either that or he just didn’t
care enough to be jealous. Then again maybe there was nothing to be jealous of.
“What’s happening?” I asked.
    “I’ve just removed the police tape we had out the back. It’s okay
for you to go back into now.”
    “Great. Thanks,” I said sarcastically. Ed’s smile got a little bit
bigger.
    “It’s okay, Lizzie. We removed all the cooties. There’s nothing to
be worried about anymore.”
    “Do you know anything about who it was yet?” I asked, cradling the
coffee and allowing the heat to seep in me, even though there was enough heat
in the kitchen. I couldn’t understand why my hands were so cold.
    “Not yet. But I promise I’ll keep you up to date.”
    “Thanks.”
    “You’re doing a really nice job restoring this old house,” Ed said,
still smiling at me.
    “Thanks, but Riley is the one doing all the work.”
    “Yeah, but I’m sure you’re the one with all the design ideas.”
    I felt the happiness surge as finally someone had given me some
credit for the changes. I mean, I know Riley’s the one doing all the hard stuff,
but I’d put in my fair share too, designing and ... stuff, like shopping. I
mean shopping is a very important part of the process. Without it the house may
not have a new kitchen waiting to go in. Or bench tops (even though I haven’t
quite made the decision on that one yet). Or that really lovely wallpaper Riley
put on that one wall in the lounge.
    “Lizzie has a lot of talents,” said Riley, coming in on our
conversation. “Decorating is only one of them.” He gave me a very suggestive
little smile and I had to check to the floor to make sure my toes hadn’t burnt
a hole in it.
    “I don’t doubt it.” Ed Helms understood exactly what Riley was
suggesting. I felt the heat rise from my neck and spread its way across my
face, only stopping once a sweat broke out on my forehead.
    Thankfully, I was saved from any more embarrassment as the doorbell
rang. Actually, I should say it screeched. I made a