Page 47 of Poison Apple Crisp
“Brenda?”
“Yup. Brenda was obsessively telling everyone about Meadows’ ordeal. You know, the one the book was written about? Anyway”—she tosses her coffee into the trash receptacle next to me—“have they found whoever took that book? I mean, you had security cameras. Cokie mentioned it.”
“And they yielded nothing but a dark shadow. Whoever did it took off on foot. We may never know why they did it either. But Noah promised me he’d catch them, and when that man makes a promise to me, you can bet it will come true.”
She pulls her lips back. “What’s the charge for something like that?”
“Breaking and entering in Vermont is typically frowned upon, but Noah says he’s going to charge them with home invasion—a first-degree burglary, a second-degree felony. Both Noah and Everett are going to throw the book at them so hard they’ll rue the day they ever thought about stepping onto my porch.”
She looks a bit amused. “We’re talking serious jail time, aren’t we?”
“Yup.” I study her a moment. “Rachelle, you look like the cat who swallowed the canary. What gives? Wait, do you know who stole that book?”
She glances out at the crowd and narrows her gaze on one person in particular—a tall redhead who happens to be pawing Noah right there next to Cormack’s grubby little hands.
“Cokie stole the book?” I ask, bewildered by the nonverbal accusation.
Rachelle leans in a notch. “I didn’t say it. You did.” She takes off into the crowd and leaves me with my jaw rooted to the floor.
Why in the world would Cokie steal the book?
I’m left breathless at the accusation. And I sure as heck didn’t feel as if I was done with our conversation.
What kind of dirt did Brenda have on Cokie?
And what kind of dirt did Brenda have onRachellefor that matter? Or did she?
Rachelle did mention she tried to bond with her, that she commiserated with her regarding a failed relationship. It sounded as if she actually wanted to be her friend. But honestly, did anyone really want to be Brenda’s friend? She sounds like a miserable human.
The night winds down, and soon there are only two games still going strong: trivia, with only Everett and Noah left in the ring—not a huge shocker there—and strip Scrabble. Both Luke Lazzari and Wiley have lost their shirts literally, and Carlotta and my mother are both playing in their bras. I am so not okay with this. But apparently, not only are they okay with this, but they both came prepared. My mother is wearing a hot pink number that looks as if it could double as a swimsuit, and Carlotta is wearing a cute peach lace bra that I happen to have a duplicate of. Wait a minute… I think thatismine. Suze is still well dressed in a wrinkled gray turtleneck—
I suck in a quick breath upon further inspection.
Oh wow, never mind. No turtleneck in sight. That’s unfortunate. Let’s hope her genetics aren’t all that strong. That is, if I’m cooking a baby Fox in my belly.
I give both Noah and Everett a pat on the back as the room all but clears out.
“Okay, guys,” I say. “I’m pretty beat and I’d like to get home. It’s clear one of you will get the prize. How about ending this so we can call it a night?”
Everett looks straight at Noah with a menacing stare.
“I’m not throwing in the towel, Lemon. Why don’t you catch some shut-eye in your mother’s room, and I’ll come get you once I wipe the floor with this guy.”
“Ha!” Noah laughs in Everett’s face. “I’m not backing down, and you’re not winning, Everett. Sorry, Lot. But there are some things I won’t give up on. You’re one of them, and so is winning the title in this game.”
A loud whoop goes off at the scantily clad Scrabble table, and they all rise as Carlotta flips the game board before sharing a high-five with Luke. I’ll admit, it’s unnerving to see how friendly she can be with such a dangerous man.
Mayor Nash runs into the room, holding his pants in one arm, his bright blue boxers on display for all to see.
“What did I miss?” he shouts. “I take one phone call and you call it quits? I thought we were having a great time!”
Carlotta heads his way and pulls him in by the tie. “I’ve got a six-letter word worth nine points that spells outgood time. Let’s head back to the ranch. The good judge has a hot tub we can use to get the party started.”
Luke grabs his dress shirt. “Did you say hot tub?” He holds out his arms. “They don’t call me the hot tub don for nothing. Am I invited, or am I invited?”
Mayor Nash scowls as the three of them head this way on their way to the exit.
Carlotta bounces her way over, and her boobs nearly give her a black eye in the process.