Arson Takes a Dare: The Third Marisa Adair Mystery Adventure (Marisa Adair Mysteries Book 3) Read Online Free Page A

another murder competition.” Alex laughed, the corners of his eyes attractively crinkling. 
    Marisa resisted the temptation to change the subject. “I had a brownout between getting to the club and Diana bawling me out and texting you to come and get me.” She took a deep breath. “During the brownout, I got drunk and a sheriff latched onto me.” She forced a smile. “And then you picked me up.”
    Alex was surprised. “A sheriff latched onto you? You make it sound like he’s a blood-sucking tick.”
    “I think that’s an apt description. I don’t remember talking to him or meeting him. Diana knew him. He’s an ogre. She calls him Sheriff Creature. She and the others saved me from him.” Marisa stopped.
    Alex stared at her.
    “Nothing happened, Alex.” I’m pretty sure nothing happened. “I’m sorry. I was tired of the pain and I wanted it to stop.” Marisa swallowed a sob.
    He placed a gentle hand on her arm. “You slipped. That’s all, Marisa. Don’t beat yourself up.” His hand tightened. “Promise me next time you feel tempted to drink, you’ll call me. Or you’ll call someone from your support group. Fred and Jason and Cindy and the others are all there for you.”
    Marisa twisted her head so he wouldn’t see the tear slip down her cheek. “I will, Alex. I promise.”
    Alex touched her face. He traced the trail of the tear with a gentle thumb. His other hand curved on her back. As if she’d break if he moved too quickly, Alex slowly pulled her close.   
    Marisa rested her head on his shoulder. She breathed in his clean scent. His hand was warm on her back, even through the sweatshirt. “I keep thinking if he hadn’t been murdered, Mosely could have stopped drinking.” She tried to laugh, but it was a strangled sob. “Probably wishful thinking, since he almost drank himself to death six months ago.”
    “You told me about it a few months ago, but not the details,” Alex said, his body warm and solid against hers. “What happened?”
    “Mom is the classic enabler. She took care of Mosely. She even paid his truck insurance.” Marisa sighed. She reluctantly moved away from Alex’s embrace. “Let’s walk.”
    Alex fell into step next to her.
    Marisa stared at the ramshackle mobile homes and gravel driveways as they walked. “Mom works her ass off for the money she makes at the sewing factory, which is practically a sweatshop. She financed his drinking and his carousing. Our mom decided to visit her sister. She left my brother some money to buy groceries and pay the light and water bills. She came home to no electricity, no water, and Mosely lying unconscious, hooked up to machines.”
    “Oh, no.”
    “He used the money she gave him to go on the binge to end all binges,” Marisa said. “He literally drank himself into a coma. I guess it’s a good thing he secretly gave his on-the-side girlfriend a key. If Sandra hadn’t found him, he would have died on the floor.”
    “You don’t like Sandra.” Alex’s tone added a question mark.
    Marisa shrugged. “Sandra is at least ten years older than our mother. She has one leg and a prosthetic device. When Mosely introduced her to me, Sandra informed me she’d lost her leg due to intravenous drug use.”
    “I thought Mosely had been dating the woman I met in your kitchen.” Alex frowned. “I think Fern was her name. She left her abusive husband just before he was killed last spring.”
    “You have a good memory, Alex. My brother caroused the bars with women his own age, but he always went back to Sandra.” Marisa swallowed. “Macon thought Sandra was a mother figure for Mosely.”
    “As your former therapist, Macon loved to hunt for hidden psychological agendas.” Alex’s laugh was devoid of humor.
    “Sandra’s big attraction was her occupation, which is liquor store cashier. Mosely started and ended each day with hard liquor. I suspect she stole it from the store and gave it to him.”
    “Your mom left to visit her