Lethal Literature. Kym Roberts

the time,” I said.

      Scarlet looked over her shoulder and lowered her voice. “Yeah, but today she started talking about Ava’s murder and how Isla came into court yesterday morning.”

      “Isla was in court? For what?” I thought about the conversation at the Oak Grove care facility the previous day.

      “Isla accused the Judge of cheating on her.”

      “I heard the rumors,” I acknowledged. Everyone had heard the rumors.

      “Yeah, but Isla threatened to cut Ava’s throat if she ever caught her sneaking into her home.”

      The pressure on my chest threatened to push my heart out the backside of my rib cage. I had to force the air through my lungs in order to get my question out. “Is that how Ava was killed?”

      Scarlet shrugged. “No one is saying a word. It’s the best-kept secret in town.”

      Not for long. I was determined to find out the truth. “Was Ava in court?”

      “Nope. Reba Sue said she was a no-show for work yesterday.”

      “How would Reba Sue know if Ava was a no-show, or if she was sick, or on vacation, or just took the day off?”

      Scarlett shrugged, then saw the tremor in my hands as I placed napkins out next to the tray of treats. “Are you okay?”

      “I’m fine.” I grabbed another turtle. This was a two-turtle day if I ever had one. “Want one?” I held out the tray, but Scarlet declined. “What was Reba Sue doing in court?”

      “You don’t know?” Scarlet’s eyes grew wide when I shook my head. She grabbed a turtle and shoved the whole thing in her mouth. I suppose her disbelief was an appropriate response since gossip spreads through Hazel Rock faster than any wildfire ever could. Her hesitation to spill everything she knew combined with her eating a sweet she never went near had me more discombobulated than ever.

      I stopped mid-bite. My curiosity was exploding through the barn roof. I knew my next question put me in the category of too stupid to live, but I asked it anyway. “What’d she do, Scarlet?”

      Scarlet continued to chew, her mouth so full of delicious goodness she could barely keep her lips sealed. She couldn’t possibly be enjoying the rare treat in her attempt to avoid my question. I handed her a napkin and she closed her eyes like she was going to choke as she tried to get it down. After a moment, it was clear she was trying to think of a way not to answer, and my hand went on my hip. It wasn’t like Scarlet to keep things from me.

      She glanced up at my jutted-out hip and impatient stare. “Cade will have to tell you,” she responded through her napkin.

      “I’m not going to ask Cade! We’re barely talking.”

      She swallowed hard. “It’s not my story to tell. Can I get some tea?”

      I retrieved a glass and filled it with ice before pouring the freshly brewed sweet tea. “It’s somebody’s story to tell, and if I can’t ask my best friend, who can I ask?”

      “You need to talk to Cade. Not me.”

      I huffed. I couldn’t believe Scarlet was protecting Reba Sue. “Fine. I’ll ask Mateo.” If Reba Sue had been arrested, it was public record. Mateo might not give me the details, but he’d tell me what Reba Sue had been charged with and how Cade was involved.

      “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Scarlet warned.

      “Why not?”

      I watched as my best friend took a drink of tea like it was liquid courage before she answered. “I don’t think Mateo would appreciate your interest in what happens between Reba Sue and Cade.”

      My mind immediately went to the two of them being caught in a compromising position in a public place. Maybe I didn’t want to know. The images popping in my head were turning my stomach.

      “Forget it. I don’t want to know.”

      Scarlet nodded and finished her tea. “I think I’ll be skipping lunch today.”

      I rolled my eyes. “It was one turtle, it won’t put an ounce of fat on you.”

      “It had more than enough calories to get me through to late afternoon.” She glanced at the time on her phone. “I’ve got an appointment in five minutes. I just thought you should know about Isla. What time are you leaving tonight?” she asked as she headed toward the front door.

      “We’re not.”

      She stopped and turned around. “What? Mateo couldn’t have been that upset about last night.”

      I shook my head. “No, he needs to stay to work the case. We’re leaving tomorrow morning.”

      “Forget about everyone else and enjoy your weekend. You deserve it.”

      There was one problem with her advice. My daddy and Isla were still in the hot seat, and I wasn’t about to go off gallivanting with Mateo while either one of them got branded a murderer.