Page 22 of Peach Cobbler Confessions
Both Keelie and I gawk at Lily in horror.
The bell on the door chimes, and thankfully a small crowd comes in, forcing Lily back behind the counter.
And among that crowd just so happens to be my older, adorable sister Lainey.
“Would you get over here?” I hop up and pull out a seat for her. “You’re soaking wet. Let me get you a towel.”
“Don’t you dare. That rain felt like heaven.” She plops down across from Keelie and takes up the spare fork on the table. “I just stopped by the library to return some books. I can’t believe I was forced to start my maternity leave early.” She stabs the cobbler as if it had a hand in the decision. “I’m bored stiff at home. All I do is wait for the baby to show up. There are only so many naps I can take, so much binge watching I can do.”
Keelie grunts, “So much internet shopping to indulge in.” She glances my way. “That wasn’t a complaint.” She moans as she points to the cobbler. “This is some of your best work, Lottie.”
“I agree.” Lainey gives a furtive nod. “I’ll need the recipe.” She rocks her head from side to side. “On second thought, just send me over any defects you’ve got. I don’t have the energy to bake.”
“You bet,” I say. “But they won’t be defects. It’s nothing but the best for the two of you.” I take a seat between them and pull open my laptop.
Keelie tries her best to look over at the screen, but her bulging belly won’t allow for it.
“What are you looking at, Lot? I bet you’re working on a case.”
“You would be correct. I’m actually working on two cases.”
Lainey moans. “You mean to tell me there are two killers running around Honey Hollow? Hear that, Keelie? We picked a fine time to populate the planet.”
Keelie fills her fork in haste. “With all the homicides taking place, we’ll need all the babies we can have just to keep Honey Hollow well-stocked with citizens.”
“You mean victims,” Lainey whispers.
“Okay, stop,” I say it gently to my poor paranoid sister. “Your kids are going to be just fine. And to answer your question, there’s just one killer running around. The second one was apprehended and is currently serving time. His girlfriend has been harassing Everett, so I told her I’d look into his case.”
“Wow, Lottie,” Keelie points her fork my way, “you should really think of charging. This detective stuff could be a good little side gig for you.”
Lainey leans in and narrows her hazel eyes over mine. “Speaking of babies, how are you feeling, Lottie? Have you seen the doctor?”
Keelie sucks in a sharp breath. “I can’t believe I forgot all about that. I’m a terrible best friend. All I think about is me, me, me and pie, pie, pie.” She takes a hearty bite as if to punctuate her point.
“I’m not having a baby, Keelie, and you know it. You faked that test, and both Noah and Everett have been treating me like blown glass ever since. You do realize that was a cruel,cruelthing to do.”
Lainey shakes her head. “I’m sorry to hear it. I was really looking forward to giving you all my maternity clothes.”
Keelie ticks her head to the side. “Who are we kidding? I think we’d better save them for her. She’s got two men on the chain. Lottie is playing fast and loose with a lot of things. Her fertility is definitely on the list.”
“Is not,” I say, but it’s not as convincing as it should be. “Here we go,” I say, looking intently at the article in front of me. “It says here Peter Green was found guilty of robbing the Chicken Hut and sentenced to life by Judge Essex Baxter.”
Keelie moans through a bite. “That man is harsh when he has to be. I guess it’s his job to lay down the law.”
Lainey nods. “I bet he knows how to lay down the law in the bedroom, too. You’re really lucky, Lot. When the time comes, and you’re really expecting a baby, you’ll appreciate all of his bedtime ambitions. I’m so hot and bothered all the time, I think Forest is about to call in a pinch hitter.”
Keelie snorts. “Same. Everett’s not for lease, is he? Asking for a friend.” She twitches her head toward my sister.
I can’t help but laugh. “No wonder you both needed the rain to cool you off.”
Lainey leans in. “So what have you got?”
“It says Peter was convicted because of eyewitnesses who put him at the scene—the other workers who were in the back of the restaurant. No one actually witnessed the shooting, but the security camera has Peter as the only customer in the restaurant. They had DNA evidence from a fork and a cup, but the article only mentions that they tested the fork.” I close my laptop a moment.
“What is it, Lot?” Keelie leans in. “I recognize that look in your eye.”
“It’s nothing. It’s just that Brandy, the girlfriend, mentioned that Peter had a sandwich and chili fries.” I shrug. “I mean, if you’re going to have chili fries, you’re probably going to have a drink. It’s just that she didn’t mention it.” I think on it a moment. “I think I’ll ask Noah to help me review the security footage. He’s never denied me once.”