Blackvine Manor Mystery by Wendy Meadows Page B

furnishings with his coffee.
    Alexis makes herself comfortable in one of the straight-backed chairs. “That smells great.”
    “Glad you think so because I happened to get two and I’m not sure I need that much caffeine.”
    She grins at him as she grasps the hot coffee with both hands. “I like this.”
    “So, are you going to tell me why I’m a horrible detective or do I need to guess?” Maxwell puts his feet up on the desk, his dark eyes sparkling at her.
    “We only asked about Amelia when we went to Lakeview Cemetery. You didn’t even think to ask about Delia or Fenton for that matter.”
    She catches Maxwell admiring her legs before he answers, “I got distracted.”
    “Come on, I’m serious.”
    “I’m serious too. You distracted me with all your hocus pocus.”
    Alexis sips her coffee, hoping its warmth can soothe the twinge in her heart. “Well, are you going to follow up on it?”
    “Actually, I already did.” Maxwell slaps his feet back on the floor and reaches for a notebook. “The caretaker called me back. Your mother broke into the cemetery after hours. The security guard reported her behavior as unstable.”
    “Go ahead, just tell me.”
    “She was yelling at someone though the guard states she was definitely alone. She then started waving a shovel around and screaming. The guard was injured trying to subdue her and that’s why the police were called. I’m sorry.”
    “For what?” Alexis sips at her coffee.
    “I thought that might be hard to hear.”
    She snorts quietly. “Well, where you think it sounds crazy, I think it sounds like she was having an altercation with a spirit.”
    He stiffens in his desk chair. “Right. So, are you heading back to the cemetery?”
    “ Actually, I’ve got plans today.”
    “New man in your life?”
    Alexis smirks. “You could say that. How about you, do you have plans?”
    “Unfortunately. If I didn’t I’d force you to break your date and go out with me.”

    * * *
    M axwell slams the door of his car, startling Alexis before she can knock on the door of the craftsman house. “Please tell me I’m having crazy visions like you and I’m not really seeing this.”
    “What are you doing here?”
    “Otto is my grandfather, remember?” He joins her on the steps and knocks on the door.
    “Well, stop calling me crazy or I’ll set Johnny on you.”
    The German Shepherd appears at the window and starts barking. He froths and lunges at the window, eyes riveted on Maxwell.
    “Seriously, why are you here?”
    Alexis shrugs. “Otto invited me.”
    “I don’t like the sound of that. And are you really going to ask an old man if he buried his murdered wife at Lakeview Cemetery?”
    She swallows, not liking the sound of her plan explained aloud. “I’m just here for lunch?”
    Otto throws open the door, not bothering to stop Johnny’s barking. “I’m so glad you could both make it. Come on in. The grill is already going and my nosy neighbors will be happy there’s someone here to supervise the old man and his fire.”
    Alexis takes his outstretched hand and walks inside, both of them leaving Maxwell to face the frothing German Shepherd.
    “Stand down,” Otto says over his shoulder and Johnny stops with a snort.
    Maxwell catches up with them as they head out to Otto’s back deck. “I’d think the neighbors would worry more about you inviting young women over.”
    “Well, you’re here too, ain’t you? I thought he was a quick one but maybe I was wrong.”
    Alexis laughs. “It sounds like you’re trying to play cupid?”
    Otto pulls out a chair for her before dropping into one across from her. “What’s the harm at my age? Max might not believe me but I was in love once.”
    “Guess I’ll put the steaks on?” Maxwell ignores them both, taking a beer from the cooler.
    The two men are stiff around each other and there are awkward pauses but Otto’s charm is undeniable. He sips at a beer, supervising every move Maxwell makes over the