Free Trouble and Treats (A Chocolate Centered Cozy Mystery Book 6) by Cindy Bell

believe that meant it was safe. Jack’s driveway had been empty, too.
    “Let’s wait a few minutes and make sure he hasn’t just run to the store.”
    “Good idea. Are you sure you want to do this? We can always come back tomorrow,” Charlotte suggested.
    “No, I want to do it now. I want to find out if he’s the one that made the shop into such a mess. The thing that I don’t understand is, how did he get a key? I know I didn’t leave that door unlocked.”
    “I’ll have to check for my keys when we are done here. We can go to my place and I’ll make sure I have mine,” Charlotte said.
    “You’re always so careful, I’m sure that you have them.”
    “Everyone makes mistakes now and then. You let me into my apartment yesterday. Remember?”
    “Yes,” Ally said.
    “And I don’t use the key to lock my front door, I press the button so it’s locked from the inside then pull it closed.” Charlotte glanced in the rearview mirror. “I don’t see anyone coming this way.”
    “All right, let’s go ahead and take a look.” Ally stepped out of the car. She slid sunglasses on in an attempt to hide her features. Charlotte stepped out of the car and joined her. She was wearing a large sunhat. If someone spotted them they didn’t want them to be able to give a good description.
    “Let’s take those stairs.” She pointed to the stairs that would lead to the second floor. Ally climbed the stairs behind her grandmother and paid attention to each concrete step. “This place looks rather seedy. Let’s stay close together.”
    When they got to the door Ally knocked. When there was no reply she knocked again. Again there was no reply. Both she and her grandmother put on gloves.
    Charlotte reached into her purse and pulled out a small nail file. “Keep a lookout.”
    Ally nodded and watched for anyone approaching the apartment. Every shadow, every car that drove past, made her heartbeat quicken.
    “What are you doing?”
    “I’m picking the lock. I saw it on TV.” Charlotte smiled. Ally’s mouth fell open as she looked at her grandmother.
    “It’s clear. Take your time, Mee-Maw,” Ally said as she looked up and down the corridor again.
    “I don’t need it, we’re in.” Charlotte tucked the file back into her purse.
    “That was fast! How did you manage that?”
    “I’m just that good.” Charlotte winked at her, then shrugged. “Actually, it’s open.” She pushed the door open. “I didn’t have to pick the lock.”
    “I wonder why he would leave his door open. It could be a trap. Let me go in first.”
    “Actually, I don’t think so.” Charlotte pointed to the empty apartment. “I think he left it open because he’s not intending to come back.”
    “Well, what’s a clearer sign of guilt than running?” Ally inched past her grandmother to step inside. “If he left in such a hurry he might have left something behind. We should still take a look around.”
    “Good idea. I’m right behind you.”
    Ally looked through the living room and the kitchen. Every drawer, every shelf, was completely empty. Gary might have left in a rush, but he had taken the time to make sure that he didn’t leave anything behind. 
    “I don’t think that we’re going to find anything. It looks like he tried not to leave a trace behind.”
    “I wouldn’t be so sure. I’ve never known a man to be spotless.”
    “Mee-Maw, that’s sexist.”
    “Excuse me?” She raised an eyebrow. “I’m just speaking from my own limited experience. I don’t think it would hurt to scour every corner.”
    “I’ll check the bedroom.” Ally left her grandmother and walked into the bedroom. It was not much bigger than a closet, and there was a stripped-down bed against the wall in the corner. Ally crouched down and looked under the bed. She found nothing but dust. She lifted the mattress off the frame and peered under it. There wasn’t anything to find but an old coffee stain. She set the mattress back down and looked