Boston Cream Killer: Book 8 in The INNcredibly Sweet Series by Summer Prescott Page A

there were no charges, as yet, against the young Marine, Jim had to wait to call in a forensics team, but from what he saw, he doubted, even if the young man was guilty, that there’d be anything to find. His windows sparkled, his bed was made so well that it looked like a quarter would bounce off of it, and his kitchen floor was entirely devoid of crumbs. Reubens slipped on a nitrile glove and opened the refrigerator, only to find that it too, was immaculate.
    After looking in closets, under furniture, and even in the back of the toilet tank, the detective found nothing even remotely incriminating, and decided to go have a chat with Maggie. Once there, he discovered where Spencer’s cat, Moose, had disappeared to. The innkeeper said that he’d been left on her doorstep in his carrier, with all of his supplies. It wasn’t unusual for the Marine to leave town suddenly, and when he did, he dropped Moose off to Maggie in this manner because he usually hit the road long before she woke for the day, even though she was an early riser.
    It was another dead end for Jim Reubens, and he was both relieved and frustrated. He really hoped that the killer had nothing to do with Chas Beckett or anyone that he knew, but beyond Chas, Spencer, Kel, and Missy, he had no suspects or persons of interest. Easing into his police sedan, he headed for Betty’s diner. Betty had witnessed Chas and Kel separately getting into verbal altercations with the victim, and he wanted to talk with her again.
    ***
    “Hey, Detective,” Betty motioned Chas over to a spot at the counter where no one was nearby, and poured a cup of coffee before he could even ask. “Jimmy Reubens came by yesterday, asking me about what that out-of-town woman talked with you about. I hated to do it, but I had to tell him that you didn’t exactly part on friendly terms,” she confided, her expression pained.
    “No, that’s okay, Betty. You did what you had to do. I’d never expect you to not tell the truth,” Chas reassured her.
    “I just can’t believe somebody offed her. I mean, she was rude and obnoxious, but geez… murder?” she shook her head in disbelief. “Any idea who did it?”
    “No, that’s why I’m here. Has she been in here and spoken with anyone else? Or has anyone suspicious-looking been lingering around here?” the detective asked.
    Betty thought for a moment. “There was this one guy who kinda slipped out from behind the bushes across the street after you left that day. I thought that was sorta strange,” she mused.
    “What did he look like?” Chas asked, hopeful that he might get a lead at last.
    “Not bad lookin’. Longish dark hair, big muscles, tattoos,” she shrugged. “I didn’t get a real good look. One minute I saw him, the next minute, he had just disappeared.”
    Chas sighed inwardly. Betty had just unwittingly described Spencer, who was already well on his way to becoming a suspect. Had the Marine gone too far to protect Chas and Missy? He certainly hoped not, but the detective really had no idea how Chalmers’s shadowy security forces worked.
    “Okay, Betty. Thanks,” he reached into his pocket to pay for the coffee.
    “Keep your money, Beckett, this one’s on the house,” she waved him away with a look that brooked no nonsense.
    “Thanks,” Chas tried to smile. “Oh, and Betty, if Jim Reubens happens to come by…” he began.
    “I don’t really recall talking to you since the whole thing went down,” she winked conspiratorially.
    “You’re a gem,” the detective grinned.
    “Heck yeah I am, a diamond in the rough,” she chuckled. “Now go on home to that pretty wife of yours. Something tells me she could use a hug.”
     

CHAPTER NINETEEN
    Izzy Gillmore floated lazily in the cool waters of the Caribbean, eyes closed, enjoying the first vacation that she’d had in a very long time. The sky and water were a brilliant blue and crystal clear, and when she was done taking a relaxing soak in the ocean, she’d