Barnyard Murder: A Cozy Mystery (Strawberry Shores Mystery Book 2) by Mak K. Han Page A

Daniel. That was when she spotted Harold and me. “Oh. Hi, Laura. Hi, Harold. Who's watching the desk?”
    “There's no way in?” I asked Susan. I could feel my cheeks growing hot. I'd promised to show Harold the secret room—this didn't seem like a great way to start out friendship.
    “Daniel won't let us. By the way, this is Chester Rutherford.” Susan gestured to the guy standing next to her. He stepped forward and extended his hand. His eyes, a dark shade of hazel, seemed to cut through me as his gaze met mine. “Hi, Chester Rutherford.”
    I shook his hand. “Nice to meet you. I'm surprised you didn't see it earlier.”
    Chester shrugged. “I had to work late. I work at Allied Innovation. Usually I work from midnight to noon, but today I had to work until 3:30.”
    I scrunched my nose. “That's a weird schedule.”
    Chester chuckled. “Yeah, it is. But, rumor has it, Mr. Brooks is retiring soon. Once he's out of the way, I'm a shoo-in for management. Then I make my own hours.”
    I opened my mouth to ask about Mr. Brooks when Harold cried out beside me. I turned. “Huh? What's the matter?”
    Harold was looking down. “Sorry. I stepped on a nail.”
    I scanned the ground. I didn't see any nails. I did see a mouse, probably displaced by Daniel, scurrying toward the woods. “Are you afraid of mice?” I asked him.
    Harold swung around, scandalized. “Are you serious?” he asked coolly. “Me? Afraid of a stupid mouse? No way.”
    I heard static. I almost didn't hear it at first. But, I'd been hearing it for the last ten years—ever since the — and it had a very distinctive, unmistakable sound to it. I tried not to giggle aloud as I thought about big, tough Harold afraid of mice.
    “In any case, I have to get going. Thanks for the book.”
    I hopped after him. “Do you want me to walk you to your car?”
    Harold shook his head. “I think I'll make it on my own,” he laughed and disappeared around the corner.
    I turned to face Chester and Susan. They too were on their way back. Chester paid me no attention, but as she passed, Susan gave me a glance.
    “Shut up,” I said as I fell a step behind her.
     
    Click here to continue reading Bound To Die.