Wicked Whoopie Pies by Addison Moore (english novels to improve english TXT) 📕

“People raise their voice all the time in my courtroom, and when I tell them to rein it in, they deny they ever shouted.”

Noah nods. “He’s right. People don’t realize what they’re doing.”

“Okay.” I shrug. “What about Sergio?” I told both Noah and Everett what I gleaned last night before we left the house.

Everett glances back into the sanctuary. “I find it hard to believe they’d cook the books, considering how much hot water that could land them in. But if they’re willing to do that, they might be willing to do anything.”

“Including kill?” I shake my head. “I’d hate to think Sergio could do something like that but you’re right, anything is possible.” I let it all soak in for a minute. “Terri really did have a way of making people angry,” I point out. “She was no saint. She had that affair with Miles Brogan and so many bad things were set into motion because of it. Miles’ wife lost their baby and then Miles himself died.”

Everett sighs. “I’d be moved to kill if something like that happened to someone I was close with.”

“I know,” I say. “Especially since they lost their baby. That family lost everything because of that affair.”

Noah purses his lips. “I just wish we had those notes you found in her home, Lottie. I keep thinking we’re missing a vital piece to this puzzle, and for the life of me I wish I knew what it could be.”

“I wish I took a picture of them.” I shake my head at my ridiculous idea to leave our things in Mayor Nash’s car that night.

Binky zips over. “Oh, Lottie, I remember seeing those notes. I’ve got a memory, you know. People don’t realize this about skunks, but we never forget a thing. It’s about as important of a defense as our stink box is.”

I suck in a quick breath as I take up Everett’s and Noah’s hands. “Binky says he remembers what the notes said. Go on.” I nod to the furry little cutie.

“Okay, let’s see… I was looking at all of those eerie little porcelain faces staring back at me, then you asked me to turn up the volume on my illumination, and then you read the notes out loud.”

“Oh right.” My shoulders sag with disappointment. “For a second, I thought you meant you remembered what the notes had said.”

“The notes you read out loud? Why, of course, I do. They said—Stop what you’re doing. You’re a sinner, not a saint. How can you live with yourself? Do you see a monster when you look in the mirror? I know what you’re up to. You are a menace that deserves to be destroyed. I hate you. You deserve to die. Time is running out for you. This is your last warning. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. And I believe that was the end of it.”

“That was it!” I do a little hop. “I just want to squeeze you hard and kiss you like mad!” I yelp and an entire group of older women turn their heads in our direction and gasp before scuttling into the sanctuary.

“Good work,” Noah says, jotting down all he can remember into his phone. “Maybe I can make heads or tails out of this now.”

Binky whips her tail back and forth. “I’m going to make my head and my tail enjoy a little more of your cookies, Lottie.” And just like that, she zips right back to where she came from.

I glance into the sanctuary and spot Carlotta and Charlie off to the side. Charlie is wearing a little black dress, and I already know she’ll be headed out to Fallbrook in just a little bit. Both she and Carlotta have their heads knit together and they seem to be having a pretty heated conversation.

“What do you think those two are constantly arguing about?” I ask, pointing their way.

Noah shakes his head. “I don’t know, but I’ve walked in on them this way before and they clam up quickly.”

“They’re hiding something,” Everett says. “My guess is, it’s going to bite them in the rear sooner than later.”

“I vote for later,” I groan. “I’m up to my eyeballs in drama as of late.”

“You can say that again.” Noah gives a wistful shake of his head.

“Ditto.” Everett rocks back on his heels.

Before I can ask if they’ve both taken a potshot at me, Nelson Stalwart steps into the foyer with the cutest, most regal looking German shepherd you ever did see.

“Well, look at this cutie pie!” I chirp as the three of us head their way. I bend over and give the handsome scruffy fellow a quick scratch between the ears. “What’s your name, big guy?”

“That’s Benny. He’s one of my best boys. He’s in my care tonight, so I thought I’d bring him along for the ride. I’m assuming this will move quickly. I’m anxious to get on with my night.”

Noah chuckles. “The wheels of church voting churn slowly. We’ve been here for a half an hour. On the bright side, Lottie’s bakery has provided the desserts.” He pats the dog on the head. “How’s it going, Benny? Are you here to sniff out the bad guys?”

Nelson laughs. “You know the funny thing is, he’s one of our top drug sniffers, and by the way he was going hog wild in the parking lot, you’d think there was a truck full of cocaine out there.”

We share a laugh at the thought, but Noah looks stone-cold unimpressed.

He dots a kiss to my cheek. “I’ll be back. I’m going to check on a few things in the lot.” He takes off and Nelson shrugs.

“I guess you can’t keep a good detective down.”

A thought hits me. “Nelson, does the sheriff’s department have a cache of different drugs for the dogs to train with?”

“We do, but they’re primarily trained off grounds then sent to us once they make the squad. But we’ve got enough of the bad stuff to keep their sniffers sharp.”

“So you have