Murder Most Finicky by Liz Mugavero Page A

makeup.
    Caitlyn went right to the counter and ordered a skinny vanilla latte with an extra shot of espresso. Stan ordered an iced coffee. Caitlyn pulled an American Express gold card out of her purse and handed it to the barista.
    â€œI’m buying,” Stan began, but Caitlyn waved her off.
    â€œIt’s the least I can do for interrupting your weekend.... You can add fifty dollars for the Boys and Girls Club,” she told the young girl behind the counter with the silver hoop in her lip.
    â€œYou rock! Thank you so much. Enjoy your drinks,” the girl said.
    Stan raised an eyebrow. Caitlyn going to a charity-driven coffee shop? Her sister usually didn’t concern herself with those in need. Not that she was mean or unfeeling—Caitlyn simply didn’t think of many people but herself and her small circle. Then again, Stan hadn’t really seen much of her in the past few years. Maybe she’d had an epiphany and changed her ways.
    Caitlyn didn’t speak again until they’d collected their drinks and retreated to a table in the back.
    Stan’s cell vibrated. She checked the readout. Brenna. She felt another pang of homesickness, but pushed it aside. She’d have to call her later. She pressed Ignore and focused on her sister. “So what’s up? And how’d you know I was here?”
    â€œI have a situation,” Caitlyn said, deflecting the question.
    Stan sipped her iced coffee. Delicious, but made her miss Izzy’s gourmet coffee. Izzy Sweet’s Sweets in Frog Ledge was, next to McSwigg’s, her favorite place. “What kind of situation?”
    Caitlyn fidgeted a bit in her seat. She’d never been good at cutting to the chase. “Kyle McLeod,” she said finally.
    Stan’s eyes widened. “The chef?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œThe same vegan chef from Florida who’s supposed to be at this retreat with me?”
    â€œYes,” Caitlyn said impatiently.
    Stan tried to make the connection. “How do you know Kyle McLeod?”
    â€œWe’ll get to that,” Caitlyn said. “The important thing is, he’s missing. And I think he’s in trouble.”

Chapter 16
    Stan stared at her sister, not quite sure how to respond. “Forgive me for being dense, but I’m not following you. Let’s back up to my first question. How do you know Kyle?”
    It wasn’t until the blush rose up her sister’s neck, slowly turning her pale skin red, that she caught on. “Caitlyn.”
    â€œWe’ve been seeing each other,” Caitlyn said evenly. “And I don’t want to hear it if you’re going to criticize me.”
    Stan’s gaze dropped to her sister’s left hand and the giant diamond ring and matching wedding band. Caitlyn curled her fingers defensively. “Michael and I . . . have been having problems for a while now.”
    Don’t judge. Do not judge. “Okay,” Stan said carefully. “Where did you meet him?”
    â€œHe’s been spending time in the area. Working with that weirdo chef guy.”
    â€œSheldon Allyn,” Stan said.
    â€œYeah. Him. You’re working with him, too.”
    â€œSheldon and I are working on a business plan,” Stan said. “But I hadn’t met Kyle or any of the other chefs before this weekend.”
    Caitlyn nodded, running her finger around and around the top of her coffee cup lid. “Kyle’s opening a new restaurant with him. He’s been here looking at locations, working on menus, the whole nine. And teaching at Johnson and Wales one semester a year. That’s where I met him, a year or so ago. I took his basic cooking class.” She smiled wryly. “I thought I could get Michael interested in me again if I was a better cook. So lame, right?”
    Stan felt sorry for her. “Not at all.”
    â€œI found out later Kyle’s vegan. How funny is that? He wasn’t thrilled about the menu