Free Maddie's Gift of Mystery (A Rockcrest Cove Cozy Mystery Book 5) by Emily Page

problem,” she said. “As a law student myself, I totally understand.” She gestured for Bailey to have a seat, but Anthony remained standing. He appeared to be offended that his sister had allowed her into the room.
    “All right,” Bailey said, trying to avoid the glaring eyes of the brooding brother standing over her. “I just need to verify your name and the correct spelling.”
    Maria spelled it out completely for her.
    “And how about your career? You did say you’re a third year law student. Is that correct?” She could feel Anthony rolling his eyes behind her back, but she refused to acknowledge him. “And can you tell me more about your relationship with Jimmy? I know we touched on it the other day, but I just need to make sure that I have all of my facts right.”
    That was all that Anthony could take. She heard a loud sigh of exasperation escape his lips before he walked toward the door. “Listen, sis, I’ve got to go,” he said as he flung the door open. “Call me when you’re not so busy being a celebrity,” he exclaimed as he stormed out.
    “Oh, I’m so sorry,” Bailey apologized. “I hope I didn’t interrupt something important. He seems so irritated.”
    “That’s just the way Anthony is. He’s always brooding about something.”
    “Must be difficult for you.”
    “I guess I’m used to it by now,” she said. “You know, you grow up with it, it doesn’t bother you as much.”
    “I suppose so.”
    “He’s a good brother though. He’s always been there when I needed him. Not too many people can actually say that about their brother.”
    Bailey considered the kind words of appreciation Maria had for her brother. As an only child, she could only imagine what it would be like to have a sibling. The closest relationship she had was with her gran. She couldn’t even remember when the last time was that she’d seen her own mother. A melancholy feeling came over her as she asked a few more questions. Anthony’s behavior had peaked her interest, and she felt that she could probably get more information by following him.
    “I suppose that’s all for now, Maria,” she said, closing up her notepad. “If I have any more questions, I’ll just give you a call if you don’t mind.” Bailey stood up to go, offering her hand to Maria, which she took graciously.
    After leaving, Bailey hurried down the empty corridor, hoping to catch up with Anthony before he left the building. She knew it had only been a couple of minutes since he had left the room, but with the building so empty now, he could be anywhere. She was in luck though. By the time she reached the lobby of the building, she caught a glimpse of Anthony pulling a large canvas bag from a storage locker set aside for students.
    Standing behind a corner, out of sight, she watched him carefully look over his shoulder to make sure no one was looking. Then he opened the bag to check its contents, closed it up again, and threw it over his shoulder. It was obviously holding something very heavy because of the way his shoulders drooped when he carried it. She watched as he exited the building through the main lobby, but oddly enough, he didn’t head to the parking lot like she thought he would. Instead, he turned to the right and took a small path that went around the back of the building.
    Strange, she thought. It was not someplace the average visitor to a building would go, so she followed at a pretty safe distance to see what he was up to.
    The back of the building had a very different view than the front. A line of dumpsters were set up against a far wall, away from the building. The stains were evidence of the students’ carelessness when taking out garbage late at night, and the smell of old and rotting food lingered in the air. Bailey stopped at the side of the building, peering around the corner to see where he was going.
    Anthony walked straight toward the far dumpster and tossed the entire bag into it before ducking through a