Free Murder So Sweet (A Sweet Cove Mystery Book 2) by J A Whiting

an odd question.” Angie smiled. “I think I’m done pestering Mr. Finch.”
    Angie’s phone buzzed with an incoming call.
    Euclid let out a hiss.
    Angie didn’t recognize the number, but answered anyway. “Hello?” She listened for a few seconds and then bolted up off the sofa with the phone still pressed to her ear. “Okay. We’ll see you in a few minutes. Thanks.” She ended the call. “That was Chief Martin.” Angie let the hand holding the phone fall to her side. “The artwork at the late Mr. Finch’s house…one of the paintings has been stolen.”
    “What?!” The three girls howled.
    “The chief is coming over in a few minutes to tell Mr. Finch.”

Chapter 11
    Angie ushered the chief into the living room where Mr. Finch sat waiting for him. Ellie had been sitting with Finch keeping him company and she stood when Chief Martin entered the room. Angie and Ellie thought it best if the two men spoke in private so they started to walk away, but Finch asked them to remain in the living room with him.
    “It would be helpful to me if you listened to what Chief Martin has to tell me. I’d like to be able to talk things over with someone, so I’d like you to hear the details first hand.”
    When everyone was settled in their seats, the chief cleared his throat. “I’m sorry to report that your brother’s house was broken into. It seems to have been a purposeful robbery. The largest painting was taken. Nothing else appeared to have been removed from the house.”
    “That’s no surprise. That painting was the most valuable.” Finch gripped the top of his cane with both hands.
    “The break-in occurred in the last three days. We’ve had patrol cars driving by the house periodically and an officer inspects the outside of the property every other day. This afternoon one of the officers walked around the premises and noticed the back door ajar. He investigated and discovered the painting missing.” The chief let out a long sigh.
    Angie asked, “What about the burglar alarm. You set it when we left the house the other day.”
    “It had been disarmed.”
    “Obviously someone knew the painting was in the house … and that there was an alarm.” Ellie’s forehead was creased.
    “That information was never publicized, was it?” Angie looked at the chief. “That the late Mr. Finch had valuable artwork in his house?”
    “No.” The chief shook his head. “If that was made known, it would be an open invitation to thieves.”
    “Perhaps,” Finch’s voice shook, “my brother’s killer came back and took the painting?”
    Chief Martin lifted his hands, the palms up. “That is unknown at this time. It can’t be ruled out, I’m afraid. It’s a possibility.”
    Angie glanced at Mr. Finch. His facial muscles were slack and his wrinkles looked more pronounced. The murder and the break-in were taking a toll on him. Her attempt at the muffin “spell” hadn’t done him any good either.
    The chief spoke again. “Our concern is about the other paintings in the house. We think they should be removed. I spoke with the bank in town. They don’t have the means to protect or store the artwork. We could keep the paintings at the police station for a short time. My recommendation to you, Mr. Finch, would be to retain an attorney to help you navigate the legal mess of your brother’s estate. An attorney could start the proceedings for you to take over the belongings, the house, the candy store, and any other of your brother’s holdings, and he or she could advise you on how best to protect the remaining paintings. In the meantime, we can remove the artwork to the police station, with your permission, of course. We can hold them there until you make other arrangements.”
    Mr. Finch nodded.
    “Would you like me to contact the town attorney? Ask him to get in touch with you?” Chief Martin asked. “His name is Jack Ford.”
    Angie and Ellie exchanged worried looks at the mention of the lawyer.
    “Please