for her was the open concept and resulting brightness in every room.However, that was also the main problem, especially when it came to having dinner guests. The kitchen had to be totally cleaned first. Counters cleared and washed. Nothing extra to clutter the space.
She glanced at the clock and realized she wouldn’t have time to Skype with her mom. She’d tried yesterday but it had been a rushed day for the Tanners, June and Adam, with her mom showing several houses to a client in town for the weekend, and her dad busy painting up a storm. Or maybe it wasn’t a landscape he was working on this time. As a successful Realtor, June Tanner’s days were filled with activity, quite different from when J.J. was growing up. Then she’d been a stay-at-home mom until the youngest child, J.J., entered high school, and then the floodgates opened and June was all about the job.
J.J.’s dad was usually found at his easel in his studio that had been added to the north end of the house. That had been a given all though her childhood. It had led to a prominent place in the artistic community and a house full of original paintings. J.J. had many of them adorning her walls, too. She’d chosen the ones having to do with water, complementing the seashore colors she’d chosen for her rooms. The water had always been a source of comfort and relaxation for her, and after her turbulent life in Montpelier, she’d decided to make her new apartment an oasis. And it had worked. Until the murder.
She looked at the sink and sighed again but was spared having to actually stick her hands in the water when the doorbell rang.
She checked through the peephole and saw Ness Harper staring back at her. He waggled his eyebrows and held up a bowl at eye level.
“Good afternoon. This is a surprise,” she said, pulling the door wide open.
“I know this is your big cooking day, so I thought it wouldbe a good idea to share my special lunch with you. Help you get into the right frame of mind without actually having to do anything yet. That’s if you haven’t already eaten. I know it’s a bit late for lunch.”
“That’s so thoughtful, Ness. I just worked straight through without taking a break to eat.”
“I thought as much.”
She reached for the bowl. “What is it?”
“Just some chili.” He shrugged. “Haven’t tried this particular recipe before, but it looked interesting.”
“Will you share it with me?”
“Nope. I’ve eaten.”
“Well, how about some coffee?”
“That I will do.” He led the way into the kitchen as she shut the door.
She set the bowl on the counter and peeked at it. “Looks and smells yummy,” she said.
“I tried it with some vegetables this time. Carrots and celery along with some different herbs. It should still have a kick, though.” Ness sat at one of the stools at the counter. “So, what’s new with the cops?”
J.J. shook her head. She finished making their coffee and carried it over to the counter. “I was hoping I was off the hook after what Ty Devine told them, but Detective Hastings called yesterday and asked a few more questions. He admitted I’m still on the list because I could have doubled back after Devine left.”
Ness swore under his breath. J.J. smiled, feeling pleased to have his support. At least, she thought that’s what it meant.
“I’m less worried now, though,” she lied. “Their suspect list is getting longer by the day.”
“Oh yeah? How so?”
“Well, my friend Evan Thornton—you remember him—has been questioned, as has Rocco Gates, the owner of RoccoG’s, although I’m certain neither of them had anything to do with it. That makes three of us who are actually innocent, so I’m hoping they have another list of people more likely to be the killer. I wonder if Candy Fleetwood has been added to that list.” She debated over whether to tell him about her upcoming appointment with Candy and decided
Why not?
“I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that
She glanced at the clock and realized she wouldn’t have time to Skype with her mom. She’d tried yesterday but it had been a rushed day for the Tanners, June and Adam, with her mom showing several houses to a client in town for the weekend, and her dad busy painting up a storm. Or maybe it wasn’t a landscape he was working on this time. As a successful Realtor, June Tanner’s days were filled with activity, quite different from when J.J. was growing up. Then she’d been a stay-at-home mom until the youngest child, J.J., entered high school, and then the floodgates opened and June was all about the job.
J.J.’s dad was usually found at his easel in his studio that had been added to the north end of the house. That had been a given all though her childhood. It had led to a prominent place in the artistic community and a house full of original paintings. J.J. had many of them adorning her walls, too. She’d chosen the ones having to do with water, complementing the seashore colors she’d chosen for her rooms. The water had always been a source of comfort and relaxation for her, and after her turbulent life in Montpelier, she’d decided to make her new apartment an oasis. And it had worked. Until the murder.
She looked at the sink and sighed again but was spared having to actually stick her hands in the water when the doorbell rang.
She checked through the peephole and saw Ness Harper staring back at her. He waggled his eyebrows and held up a bowl at eye level.
“Good afternoon. This is a surprise,” she said, pulling the door wide open.
“I know this is your big cooking day, so I thought it wouldbe a good idea to share my special lunch with you. Help you get into the right frame of mind without actually having to do anything yet. That’s if you haven’t already eaten. I know it’s a bit late for lunch.”
“That’s so thoughtful, Ness. I just worked straight through without taking a break to eat.”
“I thought as much.”
She reached for the bowl. “What is it?”
“Just some chili.” He shrugged. “Haven’t tried this particular recipe before, but it looked interesting.”
“Will you share it with me?”
“Nope. I’ve eaten.”
“Well, how about some coffee?”
“That I will do.” He led the way into the kitchen as she shut the door.
She set the bowl on the counter and peeked at it. “Looks and smells yummy,” she said.
“I tried it with some vegetables this time. Carrots and celery along with some different herbs. It should still have a kick, though.” Ness sat at one of the stools at the counter. “So, what’s new with the cops?”
J.J. shook her head. She finished making their coffee and carried it over to the counter. “I was hoping I was off the hook after what Ty Devine told them, but Detective Hastings called yesterday and asked a few more questions. He admitted I’m still on the list because I could have doubled back after Devine left.”
Ness swore under his breath. J.J. smiled, feeling pleased to have his support. At least, she thought that’s what it meant.
“I’m less worried now, though,” she lied. “Their suspect list is getting longer by the day.”
“Oh yeah? How so?”
“Well, my friend Evan Thornton—you remember him—has been questioned, as has Rocco Gates, the owner of RoccoG’s, although I’m certain neither of them had anything to do with it. That makes three of us who are actually innocent, so I’m hoping they have another list of people more likely to be the killer. I wonder if Candy Fleetwood has been added to that list.” She debated over whether to tell him about her upcoming appointment with Candy and decided
Why not?
“I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that
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