Green Living Can Be Deadly (A Blossom Valley Mystery) by Staci McLaughlin Page B

get this done.”
    Wow, such gratitude. “Don’t worry, the drive wasn’t too much trouble,” I commented.
    “What?” Kimmie patted her hair, where it was pulled into a bun. “Oh, right, good to hear.” She held the door open wider and I stepped inside.
    “I wasn’t sure anyone was here, since there are no cars in the lot.”
    Kimmie shut the door, blocking out the ocean breeze. “I make the workers park on the street so they’re not taking up customer spots. I do the same, so they know I don’t think I’m special.” She gestured to the closest table. “Let’s sit here so we won’t be disturbed.”
    Now that I was inside, I could see the kitchen through the pass-through window across the room. Chefs worked under the bright lights, the stainless-steel ovens gleaming. The constant sound of pans clattering and people talking was faint but audible. Must be prepping for brunch. A whiff of frying onions drifted out. My stomach growled in return.
    “Coffee?” Kimmie asked.
    I was thinking more along the lines of a full entree, hash browns and bacon included, but Kimmie probably wanted to talk about Wendy first. “Coffee sounds great.”
    Kimmie waved toward the side of the room. “There’s a pot over behind the bar.”
    I retrieved a generic white mug from a shelf under the bar, filled it with coffee, and returned to the table. Kimmie waited, drumming her fingernails on the polished wood surface.
    “Let’s get started,” she said.
    “Yes, let’s.” I sat down and wrapped both hands around the mug, savoring the warmth. “What can you tell me about Wendy’s husband?”
    “Preston?” Kimmie lifted one side of her lip to let me know exactly what she thought about Wendy’s husband. “Like I said, he may have been the one to kill Wendy. I’m positive that he’s wanted out of the marriage for a while now.” She tapped her finger on the table. “Make a note to talk to him.”
    Bossy, bossy. “Since you already know him, it’d be a big help if you talked to him instead.”
    “Oh, no, I’m much too busy here.”
    I ripped the top off a sugar packet and dumped the contents in my coffee. “Well, Kimmie, I’m busy, too. If we’re going to figure out who killed Wendy, I’m going to need your cooperation.”
    Kimmie traced one finger along the grain in the table wood. “All right, if you must know, Preston and I don’t really get along. He’s got this crazy idea that I don’t like him.”
    “Do you?”
    “No, but I’m quite good at hiding that from people.” She rotated the diamond ring on her finger until the stone sat exactly on top. “It’s one of my best skills.”
    For a half second, I wondered if she actually liked anyone or spent all her time pretending, but then I realized I didn’t care all that much. “Okay, I’ll talk to the husband.” It was probably better if I did it anyway. Who knew if I’d get accurate information from Kimmie? “Now, then, about her brother. I found out that Wendy might have cheated him out of his share of their mother’s inheritance. Do you know anything about that?”
    A shout came from the kitchen, and Kimmie leapt to her feet. “That didn’t sound good. I’ll be right back.” She darted across the room.
    While I waited for her to return, I sipped my coffee and studied the dining area. With her restaurant so close to the ocean, Kimmie had chosen a nautical theme for the décor. She’d festooned the walls with paintings of clipper ships and schooners, all tastefully done in muted grays and browns. As I drained the last of my cup’s contents, Kimmie sat back down.
    “Everything okay?” I asked.
    “Fine. One of the cooks burned his hand, but he’ll be okay.”
    Ouch. “Should he go to the hospital?”
    “Oh, it’s not that serious. Besides, his shift’s almost over. He can go then.” She patted her bun. “Now, what were we talking about?”
    “Wendy, and her mother’s inheritance.”
    “Right. Kurt’s bitter because he didn’t get