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

hope he leaves me nothing.”
    “It doesn’t work that way. No matter what, the kids and the wife split it 50/50 according to state law.”
    “Well, la-di-da. I guess I’ll let my tax consultant deal with it.”
    “You’re pretty relaxed about the possibility of inheriting a million dollars. If you need help spending it, let me know. In fact, I think you better consider me as one of your charity cases.”
    Lavina stood up, hands scrunched together. Elise had thought her last comment would’ve made her laugh, but instead Lavina looked as if she might cry. “Honestly, I just want to be left alone about it. I can’t wait until this whole thing is over.” She walked into the house.
    Elise watched her leave with concern. Frodo bumped her hand as his tail thumped against the flagstones. “You ready to go in, too? Just look at all this hair. I think there’s enough for another dog, you funny boy.” Frodo pranced excitedly. Winnie and Horace joined the bouncing. All three knew a treat was in store since the grooming was over. “All right, let’s go in check on Lavina. Maybe, I’ll suggest we go shopping for a new bathing suit. That should cheer her up.”
    The dogs scampered ahead of her up the stairs and pressed themselves against the screen door. Elise hurried, afraid the dogs might push the screen in.
    But deep inside she was worried, very worried. What other secrets was her friend keeping?

CHAPTER 16
    E lise sat straight up in bed gasping. She had that dream again. The dream where the train smashed into the car.
    Loud, screaming, tearing metal. And the side of the road was lined with vases of flowers.
    But, finally, she knew what she’d been reminded of at the nail salon.
    Sitting on the desk had been one of those vases filled with the same flowers.
    She leaned over to the end table and reached for a pad of paper, quickly scribbling…. “Call nail salon tomorrow and check where they came from.” She looked at the words for a moment. Was the sender the same one who sent them to the funeral? She thought about the stalks of bell-shaped flowers. They’d also been the same ones she’d seen at Mrs. Campbell’s house. Why choose those flowers?
    Puzzled, she set the pad down and lay back in bed. It might be a long night.
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    The next morning, Elise woke up like a live wire and nearly sprang out of bed. The urgency to call the salon energized her more than any cup of coffee ever had. She glanced at the Fitbit and groaned. Seven thirty. Way too early for the salon to be open.
    She padded out into the kitchen and added water to her coffeemaker. Max had followed her from her room and now meowed by her feet. He arched his back to stretch. Elise quickly stepped away from him. She knew what his next move was—to stand up against her hip and poke his claws in. “For a vagabond, you sure aren’t very patient for your food.”
    She found his canned cat food and pulled off the lid. “Last can, hmmm.”
    He looked away from it when she set it down, seemingly disinterested. “Yeah, whatever.” Elise ignored him and poured herself some coffee. As soon as her back was turned, the cat sauntered over to the can. Elise watched him from the corner of her eye. He sniffed the food. Elise smiled. “Caught you!” He immediately blinked huge green eyes at her and began grooming his tail.
    Elise laughed and took her mug to the window seat. This was her favorite part of the old house. A bed of bookshelves topped with a thickly padded white cushion made the base of the seat. Directly outside the window grew a cherry plum tree. She curled up on the cushion and balanced her mug on top of her leg.
    Who was the figure in the video just before Cameron died? The thing most apparent to her was that the man hadn’t been headed in the direction Cameron’s Mercedes had been found, or from it either. Instead, the figure looked as though he were headed for the side door by the financing office.
    And, if not Mr. Davis, then who? Frank had a