Free Homicide by Hamlet (Cozy Mystery) Book #3 (Chubby Chicks Club Cozy Mystery Series) by Lois Lavrisa Page A

lobby.
    Fragrant bakery smells drifted in the air.
    “How nice to see you so early in the morning. I thought you were only contracted to provide lunch,” I said.
    “I was, until I got a call last night requesting I provide a breakfast buffet.” Bezu and her helper uncovered dishes on a buffet table. On another, along with cups, plates and flatware were jugs of orange juice and milk, as well as shiny silver carafes of coffee.
    “I hope you’re hungry—we have French toast, fresh fruit, scrambled eggs and bacon. And muffins.”
    As students entered the lobby, they made their way to the buffet tables like bees to pollen.
    “Bezu, can I steal you away for a second?” Gnawing at me, were thoughts of Gerald and Priscilla and what they had between them.
    “Sure.” Bezu dabbed her hands on her flowered apron, which was wrapped over her robin blue sundress.
    We moved to a quieter spot.
    “Did you see the Savannah Morning News front-page headline?” I asked.
    “You mean ‘Homicide by Hamlet,’ about Priscilla?” Bezu tsked. “Tacky huh?”
    “Yes.” My heart sank. I had a tough time wrapping my head around the calamity.
    I had not gotten along with Priscilla, but I’d never wanted her dead. So many questions had left my head throbbing. The most obvious was, who killed Priscilla and why? And would they kill again? Were my students, Bezu and the others at risk?
    “I need to find out soon, like today, who did it,” I whispered.
    “Have you ruled out your boy—” Bezu took a long pause. “Friend?”
    I chuckled. “Nope.”
    “So why today?”
    “Because I’ll be going to his lair for dinner tonight,” I said.
    “And?”
    “If he’s the killer, obviously I won’t go.”
    Bezu smiled. “Understandably.”
    “But, if he didn’t do it then, well, I’ll go.” Remembering his sweet kiss on my cheek, I felt the blood rush to my face.
    “You look like a schoolgirl.” Bezu shook her head. “My heavens, if I didn’t know you better, I’d say you have a crush on Gerald.” She teased. “The mere mention of his name and your face looks lights up, like a fire is burning in you.”
    “It’s just hot flashes, not crush blushes,” I said.
    “So when are you going to admit you like him?”
    “Well, of course I like him in the platonic sort of way.”
    Bezu played with her pearl necklace, her customary accessory. “Oh, Annie Mae, one thing I wish is for you to open your heart to a romantic relationship.”
    “Are you propositioning me?” I grinned. “I thought you had Luiz?” I tapped her arm. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Gerald.
    He rang a bell, then announced. “Good morning, everyone. Please finish your breakfast and make your way into the theater. We will begin in fifteen minutes.”
    “Remember your sidekick duties,” I said to Bezu. “You’re helping my investigation.”
    “Fine, but I’m going to ask something of you in return.”
    “Oh? What?”
    “Promise me that you will look at Gerald as more than—”
    “—A killer?” I said.
    Bezu said, “Friend.”
    “Jailbird,” I added.
    “You’re impossible,” she said. “If he’s innocent, will you consider him a suitor?”
    I shrugged.
    “Do we have a deal?” Bezu stuck out her hand.
    With reservation, I shook it. Did I just make a deal to date the devil?

Chapter Eleven
     
    Following the announcement that the competition would continue, I made my way out of the auditorium. Bradley, or Dwight, as he currently was going by, called out to me.
    “Annie Mae.” Dwight reached my side. “I can’t believe they’re continuing camp after Priscilla was killed. I mean, I know the whole ‘show must go on’ cliché and all, but this seems disrespectful.”
    “The decision to continue is not meant to be discourteous. You have to remember, sixty high school students put a week of their summer on hold to be a part of this camp. It means a lot to them,” I said. “I’m curious though, why are you here?”
    “As a board member