Scrambled to Death: A Sage and Dash Cozy Mystery (11 page)

Owen draped his arm over Libby. “What just happened in there?”

“I know, right. Trust me, I’m no saint. I’ve been in my own share of trouble, but that was huge. And Charlie Staggs, he’s always been a decent guy. Poor Nancy, she’s got her own issues and now she’s a part of this. Do you think she knew he’d go to such extremes? I mean, once she did learn, she didn’t come forward.” Libby leaned into Owen.

Myrtle stumbled over her words, a rare moment indeed. “Nobody liked Peyton or Christopher anyway. Come on, we’re all thinking it.”

“It doesn’t mean they deserved to die. They have family, like the rest of us. Maybe their ex-wives aren’t distraught, but what about their siblings and parents? Don’t they deserve justice?”

“I should go,” Myrtle mumbled. “I’m going to keep this one to myself. It’s too big to be gossip. This is real life.”

Rosie was still inside. Before turning to leave, she looked Charlie in the eyes. “They might be more lenient on you if you turn yourself in. I hope you do the right thing. I’m going to leave it to you for now. I need to wrap my head around all of this. Charlie, I never thought…” Again, she was unable to finish her sentence.

Owen tapped on the doorframe to make his presence known. He’d slipped back inside only a moment before. “Come on, Charlie. Let’s go pay a visit to Sheriff Snyder.”

Charlie simply nodded, dropped his head, and left the building with Owen. Together, they would take care of business.

Nancy pleaded with Rosie. “Stop them, please, Rosie.”

“Nancy, two men are dead.”

She sobbed openly.

Rosie turned to leave. Once this was resolved, she’d go visit Alyssa. It would be good to put this all behind them. As sad as it was, she was relieved it was over. Once the police got the information, there would be a warrant put out for Matt’s arrest, and the crimes will have been solved.

***

It was a long day, but there was still time to stop up and see how Alyssa was making out. With the news of her parent’s impending divorce, the hit and run, Alyssa was having a run of bad luck. She hoped her friend was at least feeling a little better. Rosie stopped in the hospital gift shop to pick up a small stuffed bear and a bundle of fresh cut flowers. As she turned toward the register to pay, she came face to face with Matt Adams.

Rosie gasped. “What are you doing here?”

“My girlfriend was hit by a car. I’m here to visit her? You?” He thought nothing of seeing Rosie there.

Rosie panicked. She knew where he was, who he was, and what he’d done. And his girlfriend…hit by a car? No. It had to be a coincidence. She swallowed hard. “Your girlfriend?”

“You might know her; she lives in your town. Goes by Alyssa,” he said. A smile spread across his face. “Nicest girl I’ve met in a long time.”

Rosie’s heart raced. She forced air into her lungs. She wasn’t feeling so well.

“Rosie, are you okay? You don’t look so well. It’s like all the color drained out of your face,” he said. He placed his hand on her shoulder to steady her.

“Don’t touch me,” she said, jumping back. “I know what you did.”

She didn’t mean to say the words, but they slipped out.

Matt cocked his head, trying to read Rosie’s meaning. “I should be going. My friend is expecting me.”

She waited only a second for him to turn and leave before she dialed 9-1-1. “You need to send a car to the hospital. A killer is on the loose,” she whispered. “I know something, I’m afraid to talk about it, but he’s here. Please hurry.

“Ma’am, what’s your name?”

“Please, there’s no time. He’ll get away.” She started to walk after him. He turned to see her and picked up his pace.

Rosie tried to keep up.

Matt threw his purchases down on the ground, turned, and ran past Rosie toward the parking lot.

“Hurry!” Rosie yelled into the phone. “I’m following him. He’s going to get away. We’re heading into the parking lot.”

“Ma’am, a car is on the way. If you could slow down and tell me exactly what happened.”

“No time,” Rosie said and clicked off her phone. She yelled across the lot, as he slammed his keys into his car, trying to open the door. “Matt, don’t do it. Don’t run. It’s too late. They’re already coming for you.”

Matt only had one option. He spun and turned toward Rosie. He walked up to her, wrapped his arm around her and spun her against his body, holding her snug so she couldn’t move. “I don’t know what you think you know, but you need to forget you saw me. Do you understand? I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.”

“Put your hands up,” the officer yelled as he jumped from his car. His gun was pointed directly at Matt.

Matt’s arms flew into the air. “I didn’t do it. I don’t know what they told you, but I didn’t do anything. I was coming to visit my girlfriend.”

Under her breath, Rosie sneered, “She’s not your girlfriend. She deserves somebody way better than a murderer in her life.”

As the officer cuffed Matt, he swung him around and placed him in the backseat of his cruiser. With the door firmly closed, he turned his attention to Rosie. “You’re the woman who called? I’m going to need a full statement. I really don’t know what’s going on here, but they said to hurry, so here I am. I saw him grab you as I was pulling in. Lucky timing is all.”

Rosie nodded. After catching her breath, she promised to stop by the police station in an hour and give a full statement, but advised him to contact Sheriff Snyder in Spring Valley. He’d be looking for Matt Adams, and was wanted for two murders.

After the officer left, Rosie drew a deep breath. Why of all the people in the world did it have to be Matt? She wasn’t looking forward to breaking the news to Alyssa. Things hadn’t been going so well for her friend. She’d make it a point to set time and money aside to take a fun trip with her best friend when she was healed. They both needed to get some fresh air, far away from Spring Valley, Pennsylvania.

THE END

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About Me
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Molly Dox is happily married and has two grown boys. Her husband, an insanely patient man, believed in her from the start. Crazy man didn’t know any better. She spends her time between writing and corralling her dogs in an attempt to get them to go outside at the same time. Sometimes writing books is easier. In her (cough) late forties, she’s enjoying her dream of writing full-time.

My Website is Here.

Other reads by Molly Dox. I write both short and long. Please see the listings below.

Coming in 2016 – Sage and Dash Cozy Mysteries – Full-Length Reads

Some eggs aren't all they're cracked up to be. Scrambling for clues in the small town of Spring Valley, Molly and Libby look for answers when two men drop dead, one of them in their small country cafe. Can they save their business before it goes under? This soft-boiled cozy is a family-friendly read.

Longer Standalone Reads:

Death of a Game Show Host

Lily Ballantine was having a bad day. It started with losing her television game show job to a younger, fresher model. About to turn fifty, the news was a serious blow to her ego. When she didn’t think her day could get any worse, her co-host turned up dead.

Determined to uncover the truth about who killed Patrick, Lily found herself tangled up with too many loose ends. Between death threats to her life and no murder suspect in sight, she was left with no one to trust and with nowhere to turn.

Digging for clues was a delicate balancing act. She needed to be careful not to ruffle any feathers now that her own life was in jeopardy. Would she unravel the clues and finger the culprit? If she played her cards right, she might just find the killer.

This cozy mystery is family friendly with no foul language, no blood, and no sex. This is a standalone book, and not part of a series.

Pampered to Death

A cozy mystery about a deadly calm day spa, perfect for a weekend read. (This book is not part of a series. It is a standalone read.)

When Andrea and Jocelyn find a dead body floating in the jetted tub at work, they scramble to find answers. Can they unravel the mystery before the bad news kills the spa’s reputation?

Jeanette Chadwick was filthy rich, successful, and strongly disliked. While she came to the spa for relaxation, she wasn’t expecting to be pampered to death! Could one of the spa employees have done the dirty deed? Andrea and Jocelyn are dying to crack the case before the spa is forced to close permanently.

Nosing around, the girls find themselves in trouble and rethinking their original plans. Will they be the next victims?

This is a standalone read, and is not part of a series. This book is family friend. It is a clean read with no blood, no sex, and no foul language.

Short Stories:

The Annie Addison Cozy Mystery Series (Complete series, Books 1-6)

Annie Addison loves living on the New Jersey shore coastline, especially in the quiet off-season. Only this year, it’s hardly quiet. With madness and mayhem, Annie gets tangled in trouble and finds herself digging for clues to clear her name. With a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, she’s thrust into the mix on more than one occasion. This boxed set includes the complete Annie Addison Cozy Mystery Series, which offers a clean and family friendly read with no blood, no foul language, and no sex.

Book 1 - Color Me Crazy

Book 2 - A Tangled Mess

Book 3 - High Anxiety Dye Job

Book 4 - Shear Madness

Book 5 - Bad Hair Day

Book 6 - Santa’s Brush with Death

Poppy Pepper’s Paradise Cove and Mini Golf – The Complete Series (Books 1-6)

Poppy Pepper's world has been turned upside down. She runs a quiet retro camper resort that’s popular with retirees looking to get away from cold winters up north. As a one-time paramedic, Poppy misses the adrenaline rush of her previous job. Channeling her unused energy, she can't help but get herself involved in cases that come her way. Tangled in details, Poppy often finds herself faced with multiple suspects and not enough clues.

Set in balmy Central Florida, this series of six short stories is perfect for a light weekend read. These cozy mysteries are family friendly. (No foul language, no blood, no sex) Each story follows Poppy on her trail to solving a crime.

Book 1 – Sunbaked Snowbird

Book 2 – Something Fishy

Book 3 – Mice in Paradise

Book 4 – Tourist Trapped

Book5- Deadly Baggage

Book 6 – Criminals on Vacation