Love Inspired Suspense April 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 by Laura Scott (free e reader .TXT) 📕

legitimately appeared not to know Harry Benard was dead, and the fondness in his eyes when talking about him couldn’t be missed. Didn’t mean he wasn’t responsible for Jared’s death or Georgia’s attacks, though. But then why kill Harry? “Was he at the school today?”

“He was first period, then he went home with sinus issues. I canceled his meetings for him.” He leaned forward, his eyes wary. “Why? What’s Harry done, McCoy?”

“I don’t know. We went by there and he’s dead.”

Chance’s face bleached, and his mouth dropped open. “Like a heart attack? ’Cause he’s been popping a bunch of antacids, and I told him he ought to see a doctor.”

“No, he was murdered, and that’s all I can say, as it’s an open investigation.”

Chance sat stupefied, his mouth still hanging open.

“I’m sorry,” Colt said. Georgia offered condolences as well.

“I can’t believe it. Who would kill him?” He glared at Georgia. “Your stupid podcast. What did you say?”

“Let’s leave Georgia out of this. I think it goes back to the night Jared died. But you had an alibi, right?” Did he?

“I was at the Dairy Freeze with Joey March and Ryan Sedgwick.” But he didn’t quite have the same confidence he’d swaggered in with.

“Got it in the files.” He patted the manila folder. “They all said the exact same thing.” And that was where the problem lay. No one said the exact same thing. They were lying to cover Chance’s behind. But why?

What had he done that he needed them to cover for him?

And would they cover for him now?

Georgia thrummed her fingers on the interview table and rolled Chance Leeway’s conversation around in her head. Colt paced from wall to wall while stroking his scruffy chin with his index finger and thumb.

She didn’t like Chance for Harry Benard’s murder. But she wasn’t so sure he hadn’t played a part in Jared’s death and her attacks. Chance had accused her podcast of causing Harry’s death, and if it had led to his murder, she would always feel guilty for that. She’d never meant harm to anyone, only justice.

Colt paused midway in the small interview room. “I’d like to take a crack at Joey March and Ryan Sedgwick. Their alibis are too tight.”

“I thought so, too. They literally used the same words according the interview notes. Who does that?”

“Collaborating liars.”

“Exactly.” She tossed out her fist, and he crossed the few feet and bumped it. She’d forgotten about their bumps for agreement. One they also used as code to say I love you when people were around. Naturally, it was agreement only. But Colt caught her eye, and remembrance radiated regret and better times in those deep blues. Georgia looked away for fear of being swallowed and drowned by them. Instead, she replaced those thoughts with the case. Focusing on Jared and her own attacks was where her brain and her heart needed to idle.

The team entered the case room, folders and coffee in their hands. Their presence broke the connection bouncing between her and Colt.

“Did you get in touch with Moore Thompson’s or Tyler Burgess’s mom about getting lawyers and setting up a time to come and talk with us?” Colt asked. “And have you discovered who wrote the anonymous letter to Dandy?”

Poppy sipped her coffee and nodded. “The letter was written by a Shalondra Jamison. We talked to her two hours ago. She was angry over her daughter not being able to stick in the district for band, when athletes in the same grade were allowed special circumstances. She says everyone knows this goes on, but no one says anything because it makes the school look good, but she’d had enough.”

Rhett jumped in. “As far as touching base with those students’ parents, Miss Thompson is at work and can’t take personal calls, and Miss Burgess isn’t answering her cell phone. Her employer said she took personal time to go see her mother in Tupelo. Yeah, right.”

She was probably getting out of dodge and hoping this would blow over. It wouldn’t.

“Where does Miss Thompson work?” Colt asked.

“Wilson’s Orchard.”

He glanced at Georgia. “Feel like apple picking?”

“I was just thinking I could make y’all thank-you pies for putting your lives on the line for me.” She winked.

“Don’t joke about pie,” Rhett said with a boyish grin. “Especially apple pie. It’s my favorite.”

The first time Rhett had lightened up. Nice to see. “I never joke about dessert.”

“Then get to picking,” he teased, and Poppy snickered.

“Y’all get some lunch and keep me posted.” Colt led Georgia outside to the truck.

“So,” she said while buckling up, “what do you do for fun in Batesville?”

He laughed as if she’d delivered a great joke. “Fun. Most of my time is spent working or traveling for work. And of late, packing for the move.”

“That’s right,” she murmured. “Atlanta. Are you excited?” The thought of the dangerous and fast-moving traffic sent a nervous flutter in her stomach.

Colt twisted his lips to the side in thought. “I am. It’s an honor to be asked, and I look forward to solving cases and proving they made the right call in hiring me. But I’ll miss small towns and Mississippi. My church. My team. They’re family to me, and you know I haven’t had much experience in that arena.”

Grandma and Grandpa as well as Jared’s parents and even Coach had been more family to him than his own father.

“Have you spoken with your dad since you’ve been in town?”

He heaved a sigh. “No. He only calls if he’s been on a bender and he’s ranting about something that’s my fault or that I can’t fix. I imagine in person it’ll be the same or worse. I have enough to deal with at the moment.”

She hadn’t had parents the majority of her growing up, but she remembered how much they’d loved her. Colt had never had that, and her heart ached for him. “I’m sorry. I rarely see him. Once at the farmer’s market. He was buying corn. He was cordial, but it was