The Sweet Taste of Murder: An Angel Lake Mystery by CeeCee James

company to send the rest. Next, I’ll go to the convenience store and check out their video footage too. It’s from the wrong angle, but you never know. There’s got to be more footage of this guy somewhere.”
    Brad touched her arm. “Listen, you need to be safe. Don’t tell anyone what you saw here today. It could get back to the wrong person. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
    “Don’t worry about me. I always follow the number one rule in investigating, Detective Carter. Don’t get hurt.” But she knew right away who she was going to tell.

CHAPTER 15
    A fter they had separated from the car dealership, Elise texted Lavina asking her to come over that afternoon. In the meantime, she’d gathered Frodo, Horace, and Winnie and finished out her run.
    When she arrived home, Lavina was already parked in her driveway waiting for her. As Elise unlocked the front door, words flew out of Lavina’s mouth like she was trying out to be an auctioneer. “I’m so glad you called. I’ve been dying to talk to you. I’ve really made a mess of things now. I really did. Oh, hello cat. New?”
    “That’s Max. Down, Max. Down. He’s worse than a dog.”
    Lavina ran the tips of her nails along his back with the barest touch. The cat stared at her with adoration. “Well, he seems to like me.” She looked at her black pants with a frown.
    “I’ll keep him off of you. Max come here, already.” Elise scooped the orange up and sat with him on her lap. He sprang from her and stalked off unhappily. “So, what’s going on?”
    “You first. No, never mind, me first. I can hardly stand it. Oh! The mess I’m in! So, I ran into a young lady we both know.”
    Elise waited, not even able to hazard a guess.
    “Sylvia. Oh, Elise! I think she might be working with me at Sweet Sandwiches. And, she may be moving in!”
    Elise’s jaw dropped. Lavina, despite some hardships growing up, was never known to share. There was a good reason why Elise had her own place now instead of bunking in with her best friend. “How on earth did you let that happen?”
    “I couldn’t help it. My mouth just went and said it before I could stop it.”
    “For crying out loud, Lavina. Don’t say things like, “my mouth” like it’s some crazed preschooler at its first Easter egg hunt who just found the stash of eggs. You’re the one who controls it.”
    “Well, there it is. Apparently, I’m going to have a new roommate.” She looked imploringly at Elise. “Help.”
    “What exactly did you say?”
    “I said that she wasn’t alone, and if I could help in any way with a job or a place to stay to let me know.”
    “And what did she say back?”
    Lavina fiddled with the cuff on her blouse. “She said she’d let me know if she needed anything.”
    “Well, that hardly sounds like she’s ready to move in. You supported her. I wouldn’t worry yet. But next time, pause before you blurt.” Elise relaxed back in the couch.
    “That’s a good word.” Lavina grabbed her phone. “I’m tweeting that.”
    “So, now I have a secret. Today, I saw a suspect on the surveillance tape at the car dealership.” Thrill shot through her at the memory. She grabbed the dog brush from the side table and began running it through Frodo’s fur.
    Lavina made a face. “You have to do that here?”
    Elise eyed the hair floating in the air that Lavina made a show of fanning away. “You’re right. Let’s go outside.” She called the dogs who followed her obediently.
    Although small, the backyard was filled with bright sprays of color. Orange lilies bobbed in clusters. A spindly plum tree had lost its flowers and was now decorated with hard green fruits. Purple irises lined the back fence.
    Lavina stared hard at the weathered picnic bench before she gingerly settled herself upon it. She slid her sunglasses onto her face. “You viewed surveillance tape? Oh, you and Brad—”
    Elise patted Frodo’s back end to get him to sit. The dog smiled at her with tongue