Free Daisy McDare And The Deadly Secret Affair (Daisy McDare Cozy Creek Mystery Book 7) by K.M. Morgan

nothing like a good murder mystery,” Daisy said. 
    “How did you know about that book?  It just came out.”
    “I like to keep track of the latest mystery authors that break out.”
    “Let me guess, you’re a writer yourself.”
    Without realizing it, Jonah had given Daisy a great cover story.  She decided to run with it. 
    “I am.  And if I could, I’d like to run a book idea by you,” she said. 
    Jonah was reluctant, but finally agreed.  “All right.  Make it quick.”
    Daisy smiled.  “It’s a murder mystery about an overworked, underappreciated book editor that murders his boss when the man threatens to ruin his career.”
    So much for subtlety.  Daisy went right after him with that statement.  The interesting thing now would be to see how Jonah reacted. 
    Surprisingly, Jonah was able to keep his cool.  Daisy didn’t know if she could keep a straight face if an accusation like that was leveled against her.  Yet Jonah did. 
    “That’s a really ‘out there’ plot,” he replied. 
    “Oh come on.  I’m sure you get pitched stories about aliens invading Earth all the time.  Surely those plots are far more ‘out there’ than mine,” Daisy insisted. 
    “True.”  Jonah then switched gears.  “Let me ask you this.  Where did you get the idea for your plot from?”
    Once again, Jonah was playing into Daisy’s hand without realizing it. 
    “It’s just something I saw at Chloe Wilson’s book launch last night.”
    Jonah had a harder time keeping a straight face after that reveal.  “You were at the launch?”
    Daisy nodded.  “Not only that.  I saw you having it out with Hank Hammond in the hallway.  There were some very interesting things being said.”
    Jonah was back on his heels now.  “I don’t know what you think you saw, but it was just a little disagreement.”
    Daisy shook her head.  “It was a lot more than that.  He threatened to ruin your entire career.  People have been known to do some crazy things when they have their livelihood threatened.”
    “Except here’s the thing, you don’t know me.”
    “Why don’t you tell me more about yourself?  For example, what you were doing between eleven and midnight?”
    “I already told the police that.  I don’t have to tell you anything.”
    “You’re right, you don’t.  But you should.”
    “Why should I do that?” he asked. 
    “I think the police would be pretty interested in hearing about the so-called ‘little disagreement’ you and Hank had last night,” Daisy said. 
    Jonah’s temper grew shorter.  “Are you trying to blackmail me?”
    Daisy shook her head.  “I’m just trying to find out who killed Hank Hammond.  Now tell me, where were you between eleven and midnight last evening?”
    “Like I told the police.  I was heading home from the bar.”
    “Did you stop off and kill Hank Hammond on the way?”
    Jonah deflected.  “I don’t know why you’re wasting your time talking to me.”  He then took the opportunity to throw one of his co-workers under the bus.  “If you’re really interested in finding the killer, you should be talking to Trevor Webster.” 
    Interesting.  Daisy already had her suspicions about Trevor.  That mysterious argument he had with Hank the night before left her with so many questions, not to mention a few sneaking suspicions. 
    Daisy was curious to find out why Jonah had mentioned Trevor. 
    “Do you know something about Trevor Webster that I don’t?” Daisy asked. 
    “The guy hated Hank Hammond more than any man I’ve ever met.”
    “Why?”
    “Have you ever worked the slush pile?”
    Daisy shook her head. 
    “It’s a thankless job, and Hank wasn’t the kind of man that said thank you to begin with.  If that wasn’t enough, the hours were long, the pay was lousy, and the boss was a royal pain to deal with,” Jonah explained. 
    “Is that all?”
    “That’s plenty.  But there’s more.”
    “Do tell.”
    “Trevor has been