Sweetness and Light (A Sweet Cove Mystery Book 5) by J.A. Whiting

“What on earth are they discussing?  It sure looks like a serious conversation.  I wish we could hear what they’re saying to each other.”
    Todd and Kim seemed about to part.  Courtney pulled on Angie’s arm.  “Don’t let them see us.”  The four girls hurried under the restaurant awning.
    Courtney narrowed her eyes.  “Why are those two talking?  Todd is supposed to be in love with Bethany and Kim was having an affair with Bethany’s fiancé.  Kim would be Bethany’s enemy so how does it make any sense that Todd would meet up with Kim to have a chat?”
    “Could they have joined forces to kill Nelson Rider?”  Ellie watched for the two people to emerge from the restaurant.  “Nelson dumped Kim, and a dead Nelson would be a benefit to Todd.  Maybe Kim and Todd decided to work together to eliminate a common enemy.”
    “This is getting more complicated by the minute.”  Angie slunk down behind a group of people.  “Maybe we should split up.  Go home in pairs.  That way we can blend in with the tourists easier.”
    Jenna handed Ellie a hair tie.  “Pull your hair up into a topknot.  That long blonde hair of yours is like a shining beacon.  Let’s be as inconspicuous as possible.”  Once Ellie secured her hair, she and Jenna moved through the crowd with their heads down, walking away up Beach Street towards the Victorian.
    “Let’s wait a minute, and then we’ll follow.”  Keeping an eye on the entrance to the restaurant, Angie saw Todd exit through the front door.  “There he goes.”
    “Should I follow him?  He’s never met me, so he won’t be suspicious.”  Courtney kept her eyes on Todd as he dodged around the tourists.
    “Okay, yeah, go ahead.  I’ll wait for Kimberley to come out and I’ll see where she goes.  Text me.  Let me know what’s going on.”
    Courtney slid around the people on the sidewalk and hung back from Todd just far enough behind to be of no notice, but close enough to keep him in view.  Just as Angie turned her head to watch the restaurant door, Kimberley sauntered out wearing tight black slim leg jeans and a skimpy top that caught the eye of just about every man waiting in the line.  Oblivious to any attention, the curvy blonde headed away from the beach area and up the street towards the center of Sweet Cove.  On the spur of the moment, Angie decided to catch up to the young woman and try to engage her in conversation, so she darted onto the sidewalk and hurried to Kimberley’s side.  Angie called out a greeting.
    Kimberley whirled towards the voice, her jaw set and her eyes flashing with annoyance.  “Oh.  It’s you.”
    Not exactly a pleasant hello, but Angie decided it was better than being ignored.  “I thought it was you.”  Angie forced a cheerful tone.  “I saw you come out of the restaurant.  Are you heading back to the B and B?”
    Kimberley’s expression remained stern.  “What?  Yeah.”
    “Did you meet friends for dinner?”  Angie clutched her boogie board and beach towel under her arm.  Her wet bathing suit was making her feel cold.
    “You ask a lot of questions.”
    “My sisters always say that.”  Angie tried to remain friendly in order to stimulate some conversation.  “I took a quick swim.  I’ve been working too much and needed a break.”
    Kimberley said nothing.
    “Are you enjoying your stay in Sweet Cove?”
    “Not really.”  The blonde kept her eyes looking forward.  She picked up her pace, eager to get away from the pesky interrogator.
    Since she was getting nowhere by being pleasant, Angie decided to change her approach.  “Funny.  When I was coming up from the beach, I thought I saw you on the balcony of the restaurant talking to Todd Moore.”
    Kimberley whirled around.  Her eyes bore into Angie’s like lasers.  She took a menacing step that closed the space between the two young women. “I don’t know what you think you saw.”  Kim’s voice was like ice.  “But maybe