Christmas Tree Catastrophe (Lily Bloom Cozy Mystery Series Book 6) by Lyndsey Cole Page B

when he brought Sara in and . . .” She ran her finger down the page. “Oh yes, it says he was here on Friday from four in the afternoon until nine.” She showed Lily the entry. “I get Fridays off, but he does come to visit several times a week. Bella has trouble remembering much of anything except how to knit those baby blankets.”
    “Thank you for your help. I left the flowers in the sunroom. Can you make sure they make it into Sara’s room?”
    “No problem.”
    Lily signed out and headed to her minivan.
    Eddie’s alibi seemed airtight, she thought to herself. Checking her watch, she decided there was enough time to swing by the police station to see Ryan before she picked up Iris and Daisy for their appointment at the spa.
    The police station was much quieter than it had been the day before but Ryan was in a meeting and would be tied up for a while. Lily remembered what Melinda had told her about Tamara needing to talk to her, so she asked if she could visit with Tamara. An officer led Lily into the small visiting area and she found Tamara happily smiling even though she had no access to her make-up or designer spandex outfits. Miracles would never cease, Lily thought to herself. Probably her cellmate entertained her with stories about her customers. Lily certainly hoped Tamara didn’t plan to share any of those details with her.
    “You look quite pleased with yourself, Tamara. Aren’t you ready to get out of here?” Lily asked as she eased into a metal chair across the table from Tamara.
    Tamara put her hands on the table and leaned toward Lily. With a wink, she told Lily, “Candy told me she knows a lot of men in town.”
    “Candy?”
    “Yeah, my cellmate. What a hoot she is. You wouldn’t believe the stories she shares with me.”
    Lily held up her hands. “I’m not sure I want those details, but what men? Did she give you any names?”
    Tamara scrunched up her mouth. “Not yet, but she’s starting to trust me so I’m hoping to get some useful info soon.”
    “How will that help to get you out of here?”
    “Well, the rumor is that Malcolm fooled around with a lot of women. I’m wondering if one of their husbands made a visit to Candy and unloaded some secrets with her. She said lots of the men want a mommy figure to pamper them. I’m sure it’s a long shot, but you never know what interesting relationship dirt might turn up.”
    “I suppose it could lead to something,” Lily said, to make Tamara feel good, but it sounded like a wild goose chase to Lily. “I’ve got a meeting with Ryan next. He’s going to show me some stuff he found in Malcolm’s house. I still can’t shake a funny feeling about Crystal, but I can’t put my finger on anything solid yet.”
    “I think it would more likely be Penny. Their dislike for each other was quite public.”
    “Kind of like yours, Tamara?”
    “Well, yeah, I guess so,” she said with her spirits sinking.
    Lily stood up. “See what you can find out from Candy. She may not be the most reliable source, but if you want to get out of here, we need to think creatively and follow every lead.”
    As Lily walked to the door, Tamara started to talk again. “The worst part is, the only person to talk to is Candy. If I find out something, I can’t even call you and tell you so make sure you stop in again tomorrow.”
    “Don’t worry. I believe you’re innocent and I’ll keep working to get this figured out.” Lily pushed the edges of her lips into a goofy smile with her fingers and waited until Tamara’s face crinkled with a laugh.
    Ryan was coming out of his meeting when he saw Lily leaving the visiting area. Looking around quickly to be sure no one was within earshot, he winked at her. “Hi beautiful.” With a nod of his head he added, “Follow me.”
    Ryan had several items in plastic bags laid out on his desk. The leather glove, the brick, and another bag with a small piece of jewelry inside. Lily picked the bag up, looking at it