Free Honeysuckle Homicide (Trash-to-Treasure Crafting Mystery) by Rose Pressey Page A

place.
    I motioned over my shoulder. “I really need to get back to work. It was nice seeing you again.”
    Connie nodded. “Of course. It was nice seeing you too.”
    Connie turned and hurried away as if I’d upset her again. I needed to ask around about her. Why was she so interested in the murder and whether I was selling my house?
    After watching Connie for a few more seconds, I went back to paint the table. I’d barely picked up the brush when I heard movement behind me. If that was Connie again I was going to have to ask her what was wrong with her. I’d tell her to stop being so weird.
    When I looked over my shoulder I was pleasantly surprised. It was Kent. A grin tipped the corners of his mouth when our eyes met. He wore a gray t-shirt and blue shorts as if he was either starting or finishing a workout.
    “What’s the latest project?” he asked, motioning toward the table.
    “Just revamping an old table.” I pointed with the paintbrush.
    “It’s looking good.”
    “What brings you by so early?” I asked.
    He looked at his watch. “I have some news.” His expression turned serious. It looked as if I wasn’t going to like what he had to say.
    I set the brush down. “Okay, just let me have it. Tell me the news like pulling off a bandage.”
    He nodded. “Nothing at the crime scene matched with Ross. No blood, fingerprints, or anything that we found.”
    It seemed as if he was ready to finish that sentence with more bad news. “What does that mean for the investigation?”
    Kent sat on the porch step. “It means that we’re l etting him go.”
    I couldn’t believe that Ross was getting out. But then again, I couldn’t believe that they had arrested him in the first place. I figured Doreen would find a way to get him out of jail. This was just a reminder that the killer was out there somewhere. In spite of everything Ross had put me through , I’d never believed that he was a murderer.
    I sat on the step next to Kent. He wrapped his hand around mine. Even my toes tingled.
    “ What happens now?” I asked.
    He stared out at the street. “ We start over. We’ll track down a new suspect.”
    “That doesn’t sound easy,” I said.
    He touched my chin. “Don’t worry. We’ll find who did this.”
    “Luke Lexington deserves for us to find his killer.”
    Kent quirked a brow. “Us?”
    We listened to the rustle of the oak tree branches in silence. I studied my flips flops and avoided his stare. Whether Kent liked it or not I was a part of this investigation. I’d been on the scene before the police had shown up. In my mind that gave me reason to be a part of the investigation. But once again, maybe I’d read too many mystery novels.
    Kent squeezed my hand softly. “Just don’t get hurt in any of those trash bins.”
    Heat rushed to my cheeks. “I’ll try my best.”
    “How about dinner tonight?” he asked.
    “I’d like that.”
    Kent pushed to his feet and headed down the sidewalk. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.
    I spent the next hour finishing up my painting project thinking about my dinner with Kent. What would I wear? I had a cute strapless dress that was white with a multicolored floral print. Since the evening was forecast to be hot and humid, the dress should be perfect.
    I’d just finished cleaning my brush and putting away the supplies when I heard the front door open. I assumed it was my guest, but at this point I couldn’t be sure. For all I knew it could be Connie actually sneaking into the house this time. Or maybe Darcy Parish had come back for more measurements of square footage.
    When I stepped into the living room I came face to face with Ross Perkins. My least favorite person. Charity was behind him. She frowned as if silently apologizing for bringing him here. Apology not accepted.
    “ I guess you heard the news,” Ross said with a sly smile.
    “ What are you doing here?” I asked.
    “Just stopping by to say I am sorry.”
    “ Apology not accepted.