Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90472 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90472 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Mo went to him and got a good rub behind the ears before he wandered off to enjoy some time in the snow.
“Black,” I said as I handed the cup and slice of bread to him.
“Thanks, Pepper, you always remember.”
“How’s the family?” I asked.
“Doing well, can’t complain.”
That was another thing about the man, he never complained. I wish I knew his secret.
He gave a nod to Mo. “I heard he found Travis Rodgers.”
I was glad he brought it up, though was surprised he did. He wasn’t one to talk much about others. He mostly kept the conversation to the weather, sports, though he did enjoy talking prepping with me.
“It hasn’t been confirmed yet, but—”
“I heard they found the broken heart necklace with Rita’s name on it.”
The gossip mill was at it strong in Willow Lake.
“It’s got to be him. He never took that thing off,” Marsh insisted.
“You knew Travis?” I asked.
“We had an auto mechanic class together. Travis never did well in his regular classes, but he was a whiz with engines. He taught me more than the teacher did. He told me to listen to the engine, it would tell me all I needed to know.” He chuckled. “Mr. Burns, our auto mechanic teacher, would get mad when Travis figured out what was wrong with a car before he could.” His smile faded. “I never believed Travis killed Rita. He loved her way too much to ever hurt her.”
“I heard that she had bruises on her at times and that Travis was hot-headed.”
He nodded. “I saw her bruised once, but she always denied it was Travis. I wasn’t sure what to believe and nobody questioned Travis about it for fear of a fight. Travis was a fierce fighter. No one stood a chance against him.”
“You sound like you admired him.” I also wondered why Marsh would fear fighting Travis with his bulk, but then maybe he had been skinny at sixteen.
“I suppose my sixteen-year-old, impressionable self was at that time. He and Rita always treated me well and it tore me apart when Rita was found dead, and Travis was nowhere to be found. I guess I’m hoping he’ll finally be vindicated of the crime. I just never believed he did it. I’ve got to go, lots more plowing to get done, and sorry about being late this morning. The mayor insisted I do his road first, said he had lots of business to get to today.”
I wondered if that business had to do with my dad and this case.
“That’s all right, Marsh, you got it done just in time for me. How are the roads?”
“All good. The plows are out in force,” he said with pride and hurried to his truck.
And so are the wagging tongues, I thought as I gave a wave as he drove away. But maybe that was good. I might just get lots of info at the diner, a hotbed of gossip.
Amy was waiting in a booth in the back, a favorite spot of ours where we wouldn’t be disturbed. Not that we would be today, the diner was not as crowded as usual due to the snow.
I was relieved to see that Amy looked good. No red eyes from bouts of crying and dressed as stylish as ever. I often wondered where she got her sense of style from since her mom had been a plain dresser and had worn barely any makeup. Like now, every piece of clothing seemed to blend perfectly, from the oversized, white sweater over a long-sleeve, black and white striped T-shirt, to black leggings, knee-high dark brown boots with white boot toppers, and even to the leopard bag that sat next to her in the booth. While I had wasted no time throwing on jeans, a blue knit sweater, and my parka… oh, and I had grabbed a scarf. Yeah me!
I yanked off my knit hat and shoved it in the pocket of my parka before tossing it in the booth and sliding in to sit opposite Amy.
“I cannot believe it, you actually wore a scarf,” she said over-dramatically, then leaned over the table to take a closer look and grinned. “That’s Ian’s scarf, isn’t it? You wanted his scent with you.”
“Yup,” I said, knowing there was no use in denying it. You didn’t get much past Amy. I figured it was because she was an accountant and had a keen eye for the smallest detail, which made her a good mystery solving partner.
Amy’s grin softened. “I’m so glad you found Ian. You two are perfect for each other.”
“Hey, ladies, glad the snow didn’t stop you from getting out,” Lara said, a waitress and a staple in the diner since Zelda had opened it.
She set a teapot and mug in front of me and topped off the mug of coffee in front of Amy.