Single Elimination: A Cozy Mystery (Brenna Battle Book 4) (21 page)

I almost said,
At least it’s over.
But it wasn’t, not for me or for the Hermistons. Zack probably wouldn’t be offered a plea deal. There would be a trial for Dina’s murder and for my attempted murder. I would put in some time on the witness stand. It wouldn’t be pretty.

“Getting the right people held responsible for the right things is going to be messy,” I said. “At least the election’s over. Or, it will be soon.”

“I guess Harvey was right about your superpowers.” Will gave me a squeeze. “Whoever wins now, Gunter Hatton is effectively out of the race, and I’m sure without him influencing things, Harvey’s roses and his bricks are safe.”

“Oh, it’s over.” Blythe smiled. “Check out the latest poll in the
Blaster
.” She read from her phone, “Herbert Random, 70%.”

“Good for Herbert,” I said.

“It felt good to vote for him,” said Will.

I grinned. “A nice, boring, and honest man.”

Will nodded. “Just what Bonney Bay needs.”

Just as we were really settling in to our nice, boring rest on the porch, Sammi and Katie came meandering up to the house. Katie had on cute sandals and a pretty, summery top, while Sammi sported a T-shirt, black shorts and checkered canvas shoes. They looked almost like teenagers, searching for their own “cool,” but they still had that little-kid summer sweatiness and smudginess.

“Sensei Brenna, Sensei Blythe!” Katie called.

“We’re bored,” Sammi finished for her as they barged into the serenity of our porch bubble.

I swear, I could just about hear it pop with the first step Sammi took onto the porch. I would’ve told her to go tell it to her mother, but in Sammi’s case, that would be cruel. Sammi’s mom, like Katie’s mother, was too busy with work and her own social life to give her daughter much attention.

“We heard you solved the murder,” Katie said.

“No thanks to us.” Sammi flopped into the remaining adirondack.

Katie squeezed in next to her. “Everyone’s talking about it.”

“And the election! We didn’t get to solve the murder…we don’t even get to vote…”

“What are we supposed to do for the next two weeks without judo camp?” Katie entreated us with her big, puppy-dog eyes.

Bonney Bay’s schools wouldn’t be starting up until after the following week.

“Get into trouble?” Will raised his eyebrows at them. Sammi stuck her tongue out at him.
 

There was a time when Sammi would scarcely look at Will Riggins. When she blamed him for the legal consequences one of her friends had to face.

“
Do
something, Sensei Brenna!” Katie demanded. “We’re going to die of boredom. Besides, you owe me, remember?”

I scowled at her. No way was I going to be up and mopping the dojo early in the morning just to give these two their own personal day camp. I had grand plans to sleep until noon and eat a great, big, bacon-y brunch tomorrow.

“Well,” Will said, “You’re too young for a job shadow, but I might be able to arrange for you two to interview a full-time police detective this week. Ask about investigative techniques, things like that.”

Sammi said, “We’re not too young for a job shadow!”

“Sorry, there’s strict policy in place. So, no to an interview, huh?”

Katie elbowed Sammi.

“Okay,” Sammi said, “we’ll take it.”

Blythe said, “And I could use some shopping buddies this week. Brenna’s no fun when it comes to that kind of thing.”

The girls looked at me next. I guess they’d pretty much just invited themselves into our lives. I could live with that. “It’s supposed to get back into the eighties on Friday. I was thinking, if Will would let us borrow the hill out back, it would be perfect for a Slip n’ Slide.”

Blythe said, “Really, Brenna!”

But Will laughed. “I’m sure the grass will never be the same, but why not?”

I grinned, imagining the girls bulleting down the slippery, wet plastic. I’d add some dish soap to really get things going. And maybe, if they begged me, I’d take a few turns myself.
 

“Are you girls hungry? We have shish-kababs marinating, and the grill should be ready. You can have Will’s share.”

“Hey!” Will said.

Sammi said, “Okay.”

But Katie twirled a lock of hair around her finger nervously. “Well, only if there’s enough.”

“Of course there’s enough!” Blythe assured her. “I was just kidding.”

We all headed out back, and Blythe showed me how to not burn the kababs beyond recognition, while Will and Chloe and the girls found a soccer ball and started a modified game of dodge ball—Will versus the girls, with Chloe running interference for everyone. Wild barking and laughing, dinner sizzling on the grill—it was music to my ears.

Blythe leaned her head on my shoulder. “You’re a good sister, Brenna.”

“What?” I put down my tongs and turned to her.

“You are. I’m glad you brought me here with you. I’m glad you are who you are.”

I hugged my little sister. “I wouldn’t trade you for anyone, Bly.”

“I know.”

We’d always be there for each other, sharing our dreams and our fears, correcting each other when we needed to. Pushing each other forward with support, with encouragement, with love.
 

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Thanks for reading
Single Elimination.
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Taking the Fall

Poisoned Pin

Thrown Off

About the Author

Laney Monday is the bestselling author of a dozen books under different pen names. She never came close to making an Olympic team, but she loves teaching judo to kids, and dreams of living in a scenic small town like Bonney Bay.

She’s busy drinking lots of very strong coffee and ignoring the dust bunnies while dreaming up new adventures for her characters. Visit her at
laneymonday.com
.