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

lolling. “You like this don’t you,” she murmured, before addressing her friend by holding out her ring finger. “Quit trying to ship me off. It didn’t work in high school, and it sure as heck isn’t going to be something now.”
    “Pfft.” Lavina was not impressed. “I don’t see a ring on it.”
    “Yeah, but it’s going to be a long, long while before I’m even ready to think about it again.”
    Lavina smirked behind her sunglasses. “Oh, you’re thinking.” She leaned forward and gave Elise a hard look. “Speaking of thinking, have you thought about Botox?”
    “Botox? I’m talking about a guy I saw on video the same day Cameron was killed!”
    “Never too early to do preventive care,” Lavina chided. She appraised her friend with a critical eye. “Something you should really be thinking about.”
    “Oh my gosh, Lavina. Only you could turn a murder suspect discussion into a beauty tip session.”
    “I’m just saying you’re not getting any younger,” Lavina said drolly. She looked at her nails. “So, tell me what you saw.”
    Elise frowned. “Admittedly, it’s not very impressive. A tall man with a wide-brimmed hat pulled low. Long jacket. Glasses.”
    “Any suspects?”
    Winnie nosed up under Elise’s legs. She gave her a friendly scratch then turned back to grooming Frodo. “Maybe. Nothing really solid.”
    “Well, I have a thought. Have you considered Mr. Davis? He wears glasses and long coats.”
    “He’s paralyzed.”
    “No, I don’t think he is. We’d never heard a diagnosis, just that he’d been badly hurt in the accident. I always thought that he was playing possum.”
    “He does have the motive.”
    “Because, if he can really walk, that’s quite deceitful.”
    Elise shrugged. “It’s not against the law to be able to walk. But one thing has been running through my mind.”
    “What’s that?”
    “I’m worried it could be Sylvia. The person was tall, but she could have accomplished that with heels. And she has the most to gain. ” Elise ran the brush through the dog’s thick fur a few more times. Still deep in thought, she cleaned the brush.
    Lavina straightened on the bench. “I hardly think that’s the case. I can’t imagine how a woman could make herself look like a man. And why would she want to implicate Mr. Davis anyway? He’s the one known to wear glasses. No. It had to be him. Either that or some other man.”
    “Well, I don’t know. You couldn’t really make out any facial features. It really could have been anyone.”
    “If he could have been anyone, then he might as well be no one, and you should just throw that clue out. Honestly, it had to be him because it’s too coincidental. Has it ever been ascertained that he was at the therapy place on the day of Cameron’s death?”
    Elise shook her head.
    “Exactly. And, why was he at the funeral? Probably to gloat. My, oh my. It’s so hot out here, it feels like there’s nothing but a screen door between here and hell.” Lavina fumbled through her purse, pulled out a pamphlet and waved it in front of her face. “Are you almost done, sweet pea? I really can’t take a second more of this.”
    “How can you be so hot when you’re always taking vacations to Tahiti with Mr. G?”
    “Why, Elise.” Lavina’s bottom lip curved ever so slightly into a smile. “Those vacations are fueled by many martinis, king size beds, and air conditioning. All of which could be yours if you would just take proper care of yourself.” She snapped the paper shut and returned it to her purse. “Now let’s go inside. I’m tired of the sun and haven’t brought my sunhat.” She inspected a freckle on her arm. “I do need to brush up on my tan, though. Speaking of Tahiti, don’t forget about our cruise in a couple of months.”
    “We can’t go. You might miss the reading of the will.”
    Lavina sighed. “That man has caused me nothing but trouble. Even in death! I don’t care about the will. In fact, I