Free 06 Suspects and Surprises by Cindy Bell Page A

laugh. “I'd be a fool if I thought you weren't. Just be careful. Make sure Jason is helping you.”
    “I will,” she promised him. “Even though I've pulled myself out of a few dangerous situations, Paul, you'll always be my favorite rescuer.”
    “Aw, that's sweet,” he said and slipped his hand into hers. As they started to walk again he stole a glance over at her. “I love you, Suzie.”
    “I love you, too, Paul,” she said and hugged his arm.
     
    ***
     
    After Paul dropped Suzie at home he left to prepare for his launch. Suzie still felt uneasy. Paul's words had made sense to her, but she was still boiling with irritation at Wes. She tried to distract herself by thinking about the railing and how it might have come loose. She knew that it had to have been tampered with, or maybe she just really hoped it had been. What she couldn't figure out was who would have wanted Warren dead.
    “Suzie, is that you?” Mary called out from the laundry room.
    “Yes, it's me,” Suzie called back. “Need help?” she asked when she stepped into the laundry room.
    “I'm just getting fresh sheets ready for the bed in room five,” she explained. 
    “I don't think anyone will be sleeping in them for a long time,” Suzie said with a sigh. “I still can't believe it happened. But everyone in town can, and they think that it was an accident, or possibly negligence.”
    “We know better,” Mary reminded her but she could see the doubt in Mary’s eyes.
    “I just don't know how to convince others of that,” Suzie said still partly trying to convince herself. 
    “Me neither,” Mary agreed as she shook out the sheet she had just pulled out of the dryer. “You and I both know there is no way that railing gave way.”
    “We had every balcony inspected,” Suzie recalled and narrowed her eyes. “Maybe the inspector made a mistake.”
    “No way,” Mary shook her head. “He was very reputable. Besides, we did a walk through with him, and I distinctly remember him leaning on the railings to show us they were strong.”
    “Yes, that's true,” Suzie nodded. “I remember that now. But still, maybe we did cut corners.”
    “Don't talk like that,” Mary said firmly. “There's no way we would have cut corners when it comes to a safety issue.”
    “You're right,” Suzie leaned back against the wall of the laundry room. “Did you hear anything more about the murder from Wes?”
    “Actually I did,” Mary nodded. Her expression darkened. “He said he was sorry about the death, and that he would do his best to help us out if he could, but it's not his jurisdiction so he can only investigate so much. Can you believe that?” Mary narrowed her eyes.
    “Well, it's not his jurisdiction,” Suzie pointed out. “Not only that, Jason can barely help us because it's being ruled accidental and I think he believes it is.”
    “That's not the point is it, Suzie?” Mary snapped. Suzie's eyes widened. It wasn't often that Mary actually got upset.
    “I'm sorry,” she said quickly.
    Mary sighed and set down the folded sheet. “No, I'm sorry, Suzie. I didn't mean to snap at you. I know you're right. It's just, I expected him to swoop in and take charge I guess. I don't know, maybe you're right, maybe I have been reading too many romances.”
    “There's nothing wrong with romance,” Suzie said gently. “All I'm saying is that Wes’ hands probably really are tied. Just like Jason's.”
    “But he didn't even come over to check on me,” Mary pointed out. “Of course, I told him not to,” she frowned.
    Suzie pulled her into a warm hug. “These things are never easy, Mary. But no matter what happens, we'll get through it together.”
    “I know,” Mary said as she hugged her back. “If there's one thing in this world I know I can rely on, Suzie, it's our friendship.”
    “That's for sure,” Suzie said with a laugh. “Now, I think we have earned some wine and chocolate. What do you say?”
    “Heavy on the chocolate, light