For Old Crime's Sake (Chase Charley Mystery Book 1) by Rose Pressey Page B

iced tea. I reached out and took a glass from the tray and then leaned back in the chair. We sat in silence as we each took sips from the frosty glasses.
    Ms. Gray placed her glass on the small table beside her chair. “What can I do for you, Ms. Charley?” she asked Courtney.
    At least she got right to the point.
    “You mentioned that you knew the owners of the home over on Royal Street. My friend here is interested.” Courtney pointed at me.
    Ms. Gray looked me up and down. “Do you like my tea?”
    I glanced at my glass. “Yes, it’s delicious.”
    “The woman and her husband bought the home just a few months ago from that actor. I don’t remember his name, but Ms. Hook lives there with her husband. I don’t know what her husband does, but if you ask me it’s shady. He’s a shady character.”
    “Why do you say that?” Courtney asked.
    Ms. Gray shrugged. “Just a feeling, I guess. A lot of people went in and out of the house when I was there.”
    “You were at the house?” I asked.
    She eyed me up and down. “Yes, I consulted with Ms. Hook a few times.”
    Before I could ask her more, a car door slammed outside. I’d had no idea the woman could move that quickly. She ran over to the cabinet and pulled out a shotgun.
    My eyes widened. What had she seen out the front windows? I exchanged a look with Courtney. I hoped that the men hadn’t followed us to the house, but I was almost willing to bet that was what had happened.
    I jumped up and so did Courtney. Her friend was already headed for the door. This wasn’t going to end well. I was almost sure Ms. Gray would shoot someone if she felt she had to.
    Ms. Gray flew out the front door. I followed but stopped in my tracks at the front door.
    Dangerfield held his hands up in the air. “Please don’t shoot.”
    She pointed the gun at him. “What are you doing on my property?”
    He stepped closer and she fired a shot into the air. Dangerfield stumbled backward, but managed to right himself before falling.
    “I’m just here to see Chase Charley.” He didn’t move closer this time. He needed to stop moving before she really did shoot him. “Like I said, I am here to see Ms. Charley.”
    “Is that right?” she asked without taking her eyes off him.
    I stepped out on the porch. “What the hell are you doing?”
    “It’s okay, Ms. Gray, he’s a friend of ours,” Courtney said.
    I exchanged a look with my cousin. I would let it slide that she had called Dangerfield a friend.
    Ms. Gray looked from me to my cousin and then at Dangerfield. “Well, I suppose if he is a friend of yours then it is okay.” She lowered the gun and he released a deep breath.
    “Is it okay if I come closer now?” he asked with his hands still in the air.
    Ms. Gray lowered the gun. “Come on up here.” She looked at me. “He is a handsome man. Where have I seen him before?”
    “Again, what are you doing here?” I asked.
    “Can you come down here so I can talk to you?” Dangerfield asked.
    “We can talk here.” I crossed my arms in front of my chest.
    “Fine.” He raked his hand through his hair. “I can’t believe I am saying this, but you’re right. The men are following me, but they aren’t just following me. They’re following you too.”
    I quirked an eyebrow. “How do you know that they are following me unless you are following me too?”
    “This is crazy. I am not following you,” he said. “Okay, I did follow you just a couple of times, but that isn’t the point.”
    “I think it’s a very important point,” I said.
    “We can talk about that later.”
    That was exactly what I was afraid of, more talking with Bill Dangerfield. “What do you really want, Dangerfield?” I looked over his shoulder at the long driveway. “Did they follow you here?”
    He shrugged. “No, I don’t think so.”
    He didn’t sound so confident. It was time for me to get out of there.
    “Thanks for coming all this way to warn me, but I think it’s time for me to