Free A Deadly Delicious Delivery (A Chocolate Centered Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Cindy Bell Page B

she was something so special. But she was a mean, old thing. I offered her twice what she paid for that apartment so that I could have a room with a view and she turned me down.”
    “Maybe she liked the apartment,” Charlotte said.
    “Maybe. But that’s no reason to be difficult. I even promised her that I would let her come over for lunch every day. I mean what more could she want?”
    “The apartment that she purchased.”
    “Look, I just wanted to be able to enjoy my time there. No one else would even talk about handing over their apartment. If she was so determined to keep it then she shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I mean at first she told me yes, she would do it. She said it would give her the chance to put more money away for her kids. Then, all of a sudden that changed. She said she was changing her will and no longer needed to make more money.”
    “Why do you think that was?”
    “I don’t really know. Her son came to visit, then after that she blew me off. I tried to be nice about it, but I was really counting on getting that apartment. So, I was not too happy. I tried to convince her that selling to me was the right thing to do. She stopped taking my calls and answering her door. That’s when I assumed she must be dying. I didn’t want anyone else to try to lay claim to the apartment, so I left all kinds of hints with people that Myrtle was on death’s door and the apartment was mine. I had no idea the rumors would get back to her.”
    “You didn’t care too much if they did, did you?” Charlotte said.
    “Not much, no. Because I thought she was dying.”
    “And then you found out that she wasn’t, so you decided to speed up the process?”
    “Excuse me?” Ruth looked puzzled.
    “You didn’t want to wait anymore. You were counting on her dying, and when you found out that she wasn’t and it was the reason she turned down your offer, you decided to take matters into your own hands. I mean, why wouldn’t you? You had been patient enough.”
    “I wouldn’t murder someone. You’re just looking for someone to blame because those rancid chocolates killed someone. I have never touched the things myself. I don’t know how people can pollute their bodies with all of that sugar. The way she ate them, she wouldn’t have lived much longer, anyway. I saw she got some chocolates earlier in the day, and then I saw her sneaking away with one of the boxes from the food table at the open house. It’s ridiculous. At her age, she should know better.”
    “Did you happen to notice who gave her the chocolates earlier in the day?”
    “I don’t know. I don’t pay attention to the little people. Wouldn’t you have an idea of who it might be? They were from your shop.”
    “Hmm, I can’t recall, we sell lots of chocolates.” Charlotte glanced at her watch. “Do you think you would like to get something to eat and we could talk about this more?”
    “Eat? With you? I don’t think so. You’re being called the Chocolate Killer.”
    “You’re joking.”
    “Not at all. Sorry hon, but my reputation can’t handle being seen with you. Now, if you’ll excuse me I need to shop for curtains for my new apartment.”
    As she walked away Charlotte clucked her tongue and muttered to herself, “Maybe she’s not the murderer, but she’s mean enough to be.”
     
    ***
     
    Ally had just scooped up the last of the soil from the flower pot when Charlotte walked up to her.
    “What happened here?”
    “Arnold.”
    “Oh, he does love to get into things doesn’t he?” Charlotte replied hiding a smile.
    “Did you find out anything?” Ally asked.
    “Ruth was in there and I found out that she’s mean enough to have murdered Myrtle, but I’m not convinced she did. How about Myrtle’s kids?”
    “Let’s just say I wasn’t very welcome at first. Although I found out a few tidbits about Myrtle’s past. I think she might have changed her will. Maybe that’s what the