Free Murder of a Cranky Catnapper by Denise Swanson

places Emmy has probably lived.” Wally shrugged.
    Emerald Jones had arrived in Scumble River after getting into some kind of trouble in Las Vegas. She had promptly flirted with Wally at his gun club, then ended up dating Skye’s ex. Not exactly BFF material. Skye and Chantal didn’t seem to be starting out any better.
    Oh, please!
What was wrong with her? So Chantal had hung up on Skye, had a sexy voice, and was a friend of Emmy’s. None of those facts meant the woman was trying to seduce Wally. For all Skye knew, Chantal resembled Peppermint Patty more than she did Jessica Rabbit.
    Skye frowned. She had never been a jealous person, but some combination of her recent marriage, pregnancy hormones, and Wally being so handsome was setting her off. She needed to stop imagining every woman was trying to steal her man before she turned into a shrew.
    Swallowing hard, Skye realized that maybe she wasn’t really jealous. Maybe she was just trying to avoid thinking about the real issues. Palmer Lynch was dead. He apparently enjoyed an alternative lifestyle that would set Scumble River on its ear once the news got out. And Uncle Charlie would be a prime suspect.
    Skye blanched.
No!
Charlie would never do something like this. He might want to remain school board president, even be willing to fight a little dirty for it, but he’d never kill to retain the position. Still, Skye prayed that he’d have an airtight alibi.
    Uh-oh.
She must have been quiet for too long because Wally stroked her arms and said, “Do you feel all right? I can drive you home.”
    â€œI’m fine,” Skye reassured him. “Just considering what I know about Lynch.”
    â€œRight.” Wally tapped his chin. “I’d forgotten about that business with the pet therapy and that he was on the school board. Tonight, you’ll have to give me the whole rundown on who might have had it in for him.”
    â€œSure.” Skye’s smile was halfhearted. “It’s a date. Suspects and supper.”
    Wally looked at her quizzically, but before he could respond, Simon pulled his Lexus behind the squad car. He jogged up the driveway carrying a black doctor’s case, containing a camera, stethoscope, flashlight, rubber gloves, and liver thermometer. The body bag would arrive with his assistant in the hearse.
    As soon as Simon got near them, Wally put his arm around Skye’s shoulder.
    At the same instant, Simon took her free hand and asked, “What happened?”
    Simon was the antithesis of Wally. Where Skye’s husband was muscular, her ex was lean. Wally’s hair was cut close to his head while Simon’s auburn tresses were professionally styled. But the biggest difference was Simon’s golden-hazel eyes. Even in the heat of passion they were cool and appraising, while Wally’s were always warm when Skye looked into them.
    â€œThe vic’s in the master bedroom,” Wally said, stepping back and bringing Skye with him, which causedher hand to slip from Simon’s. “We’ll have to wait for the crime techs to get here before you can move the body, but in the meantime, try to get a time of death.”
    Clearly unhappy with Wally’s dictatorial tone, Simon didn’t budge. The two men glowered at each other, and Skye held her breath.
    Relieved, she spotted a patrol car driving down the block and said to Wally, “Oh. Look. Sergeant Quirk is here already.”
    â€œGood.” Wally glanced over his shoulder. “He can set up the perimeter.”
    â€œDo you want me to wait in the car with Dorothy?” Skye asked. She rubbed her belly and added, “I’d like to get off my feet for a bit.”
    â€œThat’s right.” Simon looked between Skye and Wally. “I understand that congratulations are in order.” His lips thinned. “I see you two didn’t waste any time creating Baby Boyd.” He stared at Wally. “I guess