A Pinch of Sea Salt and a Dash of Murder (Outer Banks Baker Mystery Series Book 1) by Phoebe T. Eggli

arrest for the murder of Linda Stevenson. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to talk to a lawyer and have him/her present while you are being questioned. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, one will be appointed to represent you before any questioning if you wish. You can decide at any time to exercise these rights and not answer any questions or make any statements,” Detective Reynolds said with a smile. He continued, “Mrs. Maples, do you understand each of these rights as I have explained them to you?” Stunned speechless, Melissa responded the only way she could by a slight nod of her head.
     

     

Chapter 16
     
    It was Melissa’s first time in the back of a police squad car. She dearly hoped it would be her last. Jason kindly volunteered to stay behind with the distraught teenager until friends arrived to care for the boy. Before he handcuffed her, he offered to call Maria and Luis for her. He also tried to reassure her that Logan would be okay. Melissa highly doubted that since the poor boy had just watched his beloved aunt be arrested. She instructed Logan to call his parents to let them know what was going on. Detective Reynolds overheard and gruffly stated that Logan wouldn’t be going anywhere as he was designated as a potential witness. He even had the audacity to suggest that Logan could be upgraded to a potential accomplice to murder. “Now that really is bull----!” she retorted.
    At least the ride to the precinct was short. The elderly detective used the time to completely infuriate Melissa as he hummed happily the entire trip. Melissa thought of more than a few words to call the man. None of those words were polite. After being booked - complete with a not-so-lovely mug shot, the confiscation of all her belongings, and being fingerprinted - the detective led Melissa to a small interrogation room where he handcuffed her to the table. “This may be a good time to allow me a phone call to my attorney,” she tersely requested. Nodding, he brought over a cordless phone and left the room.
    Needless to say Janice Littleton was shocked when she received the call. She had not expected her client to be arrested for the crime. Suspected? Yes, but clearly there was insufficient evidence. Within less than a half hour, she burst through the precinct door demanding to see her client. Detective Reynolds directed her to the interrogation room. He already turned on the recording device in the tiny room behind the two-way mirror.
    Janice greeted a weary and distraught Melissa with a warm hug. She asked about Logan and if he was being cared for by friends or family. Once assured the boy was in good hands, the attorney informed her client that her assistant was already working on the bail hearing. Based on Melissa’s outstanding reputation in the community, she felt they had an excellent chance of getting her released on her own recognizance.
    Melissa explained that she had no idea what prompted her arrest. The police showed up at her home, and at the bakery, with search warrants. They trashed her house. She suspected they trashed her business, too. However, no one had seen fit to tell her what implicated her to such an extent that she was now in handcuffs.
    As if on cue, Detective Reynolds and Detective Payne entered the room. Based on the size of the area, it was quickly getting crowded in there. Janice ordered them to explain what charges were being filed against her client and the basis for their accusation. Otherwise, she instructed them to release her client immediately. The older gentlemen chuckled, “Oh, we have plenty to base our conclusions on.” Jason didn’t look so convinced. That wasn’t much, but it was something for Melissa to hold onto to in order to retain her sanity.
    Both women sensed Detective Reynolds would not be any help whatsoever. Melissa took a chance. “Detective Reynolds, why don’t you do us