Free Digging for Dirt (Heavenly Highland Inn Cozy Mystery Book 9) by Cindy Bell Page A

you,” Ida said.
    “What’s all of this about, anyway?”
    Ida hesitated and then began explaining “There were poisonous berries in the basket.” Ida met his eyes directly. “The recipient passed away.”
    “Poisonous berries?” he gasped. “But how?”
    “We presume they must have been put in the basket by mistake,” Vicky explained.
    The man stared at her with a mixture of shock and concern. “Are you trying to say that you think I provided the poisonous berries?” He looked from Vicky to Ida, who he seemed to think was more reasonable. “That’s not possible!”
    “How isn’t it possible?” Vicky asked. “If the berries were in the basket and the basket came from your store.”
    “No!” the grocer said with conviction. “They did not come from my store. Why would I deal in poisonous berries?” He shook his head. “I don’t stock berries at the moment at all. The varieties grown locally aren’t in season and I only stock what’s in season. Have a look for yourself,” he said as he gestured to the crates of fruit.
    “Okay.” All of the vigor had left Vicky’s voice as she ran her eyes over all the fruit. There were no berries in sight. She felt even more confused than she had been when she first arrived.
    “Thanks for your time.” Ida smiled. “Please let us know if you get hold of Lukey.”
    “I will.” John nodded, but he wasn’t smiling.
    “We should go,” Ida whispered to Vicky.
    “All right.” Vicky didn’t really want to leave. She didn’t want to walk out of the grocery store with no idea of what had happened to Freida. She didn’t want to have to go back to Sarah with even more confusion. Where did the berries come from?
    As her aunt stepped out the door, Vicky followed after her. She had convinced herself the berries had come from the grocer. Now there was no proof of that. Still, Vicky questioned whether the grocer was telling the truth. Had he slipped some berries into the order and then found out that they were poisonous and thrown them away? Had he put them in there by mistake? Or worse, had he added them on purpose?
    Ida started the car, but before she backed out of the parking space she turned to look at Vicky.
    “You look so upset, sweetheart.” She frowned. “What’s going on in your head?”
    Vicky exhaled and felt as if she was ready to explode. “If the berries didn’t come from the grocery store then where did they come from? If they weren’t in the fruit basket when it was prepared then how did they get in?”
    “That’s presuming that the basket that was delivered was from the grocers,” Ida reminded her.
    “I know,” Vicky admitted. “But how will we ever find out where the fruit basket came from if it wasn’t from the grocers. It is very annoying.”
    “Oh, I see.” Ida nodded. “You’re right, that is frustrating. Maybe we need to stop chasing the fruit for a bit, and focus instead on who might have wanted Freida dead.”
    “I have a feeling it is not going to be a very short list.”

Chapter 12
    A s soon as Ida and Vicky returned to the inn, Vicky headed straight for her apartment. Ida was right on her heels.
    “What’s the plan?” Ida asked.
    “The plan is to hunt down the truth about what Freida was up to, and who her enemies were.” Vicky opened the door to the apartment and rushed inside. She moved so fast that she nearly collided with Mitchell who was turning to face her. “Oops. Sorry, Mitchell.” She took a slight step back. When she saw Mitchell’s expression she was glad she did. He did not look very pleased to see her.
    “I was looking for you.” His voice was even as he settled his gaze upon her.
    “I’ll just be out here.” Ida avoided entering the apartment. Vicky slowly closed the door behind her.
    “Well, here I am.” She smiled at him.
    “Can I ask you why it is that you told my officer that he couldn’t question you?” Mitchell frowned.
    “Your officer?” Vicky stared at him for a moment.