Death in Dahlonega (A Trixie Montgomery Cozy Mystery Book 1) Read Online Free

beating my knees took until adulthood. I compounded the damage when I fell from that danged horse.
    “What can you find to eat this time of night?”
    “I remember seeing a refreshment area with coke and cracker machines. Not the Waldorf, but better than nothing. I’ll get you a bite, too.”
    “I don’t feel like eating,” she replied.
    Uh oh, not a good sign. I could count on one hand the number of times when Dee Dee lost her appetite.
    Timing is of no consequence to memories. Maybe food was the trigger. Vivid images flashed through my mind, replaying the time when one of Dee Dee’s precious cats choked on a chicken wing. Like any good mother, she reacted immediately. Then panic set in and she started slinging the cat around in circles, yelling “I killed him! I killed him!”
    Gary, Dee Dee’s late husband, rescued the cat and discovered a jagged bone stuck in the roof of Ziggy’s mouth. After Gary fished out the bone, the dazed cat recovered nicely. Too bad Dee Dee didn’t fare as well—it took her several days to get over the shock.

Chapter Four
    I grabbed my cane. It wasn’t that far to the lobby, but my knee felt as supportive as a worn out bra. The lighting outside was barely enough to illuminate the pathway. Shadows danced around me.
    I reached the lobby to find it deserted; not unusual at this time of night. The quietness of the room heightened my nerves.
    The snack room proved easy enough to find, much easier than finding my change. As I fumbled around in my bag, the hair on the back of my neck suddenly stood at attention.
    I turned, quickly, and spied a lanky man staring my way, blocking my exit. I dropped my bag, and contents spilled in all directions.
    “Please. Let me help you.” The stranger scrambled to pick up my belongings.
    Embarrassment shrouded me like a cloak as a tampon rolled across the floor.
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I’m Leroy Roberts. I help Aunt Joyce run this place.” He seemed apologetic, but I couldn’t shake the feeling he’d been watching me.
    “Shoot. You took ten years off of my life.”
    “I’m so sorry.” He smiled sheepishly as he handed me my stuff. His eyes wandered to my cane. “Can I help you with anything?”
    “I was trying to find change. I wasn’t having much luck.”
    “Come on in the office with me.” He pointed to a door not far from where we stood. “I’ll be glad to help you get what you need.”
    I warily followed him to the office where he opened a cash drawer and traded me for a stack of ones. Like a shadow, he accompanied me back to the snack room. I bought a bountiful supply of drinks and food, enough to last us through the night. He kindly offered to carry my stash of crackers and cookies back to the room.
    “Uh, no thank you.” I thanked him for his help, and bade him goodnight. I couldn’t get back to my room fast enough, so I hurried as quickly as I could hobble.
    “Where’ve you been, Trixie? I started to look for you.” Sprawled out on the bed, atop a beautiful white Chenille bedspread, Dee Dee didn’t look like she’d planned on going anywhere.
    “You won’t believe what happened!” I explained how Joyce’s nephew appeared out of nowhere and scared the starch out of me.
    “He stood close enough to see my gray hairs—that is if I had any.” I ignored the snort Dee Dee rendered and continued. “I don’t know. He seemed nice enough, but I had this sense he’d been watching me.”
    “I’m sorry Trixie.” Dee Dee picked at invisible lint on the cover. “I guess we’re both on edge after today’s events. Who wouldn’t be? But, what if it was a coincidence you turned around the same time he was going to speak.”
    “I suppose you’re right. I was on my last nerve and jumpy as a cat in a room full of dogs.”
    “What did you get to eat?” She licked her lips, and browsed my purchases with keen eyes. “I think I might be able to handle a little something.”
    I rummaged through the