Dying for a Date Read Online Free Page A

then slammed on my brakes. It would be impossible to miss the spacious one-story house with the beige Lincoln Town Car in the driveway. The two sheriff's cars parked in front of the house. And the yellow tape stretched...everywhere.
    Sunny was right.
    My first thought was that Garrett must have been one heck of a CPA in order to afford a house this expensive. Or maybe he was involved in something shady. One of his clients might have disagreed with his method of depreciation and accelerated Garrett's death.
    As my car crawled down the street in the direction of the house, two of the county deputies, clad in pressed khaki shirts and forest green pants, glanced up. The dark haired officer with the miniature Hitler moustache frowned at me. Time to move on. My pastel vehicle wasn't designed for undercover detecting.
    As I drove to Jimmy's house to collect my son I pondered my predicament. Should I contact the police and tell them what happened on our date? I didn't think the Dating for Dummies Guide had any advice on what to do when your date is found dead less than twenty-four hours after you hit him with a cell phone.
    The car rolled to a stop in Jimmy's driveway. Before I could open my door, Ben ran out of the house and slid into the backseat. His navy backpack, which reeked of antique bananas, was unzipped as usual and its messy contents scattered everywhere. “Mom, I'm so hungry I could eat a Tyrannosaurus Rex.” He rubbed his stomach for emphasis.
    "Sorry, Ben, no T-Rex burgers tonight. Maybe tomorrow."
    "For real, Mom?” he squealed in delight.
    Since I had to dash Ben's hopes for a prehistoric burger I promised to whip up his favorite fudge for dessert. If he cleaned up the gummy bears, banana peels and GI Joes strewn across the back of the car.
    The message light was blinking on our phone when I got home. “This is your mother, Barbara Bingham. Call me."
    Did she think her only daughter forgot her name? Mom would have to wait until I called my best friend. The last thing I needed was maternal advice from the woman who could do no wrong. At least in her own mind.
    I didn't want the kids to overhear my conversation so I went upstairs, plopped on my bed and speed dialed Liz. “It's me. He's dead,” I sputtered into the mouthpiece.
    "Laurel? What are you talking about? Who's dead?"
    "Garrett. My date. I went to the Love Club this afternoon to complain about him and they told me he was found in his car. Dead."
    "Oh my. That's a bit of a downer."
    Talk about British understatement.
    "You don't think there's any way I could have...” I gulped, “killed him?"
    "Don't be silly. With a cell?” She paused as if she were contemplating the odds of a mobile phone killing. “There must be a reasonable explanation for his death."
    "I hope you're right. What should I do?"
    "Let me see if Brian has heard anything. I'll call you back."
    Brian, her fiance, is not only an assistant District Attorney for El Dorado County but he's a terrific guy. I blew out the breath I'd been holding. “Thanks. I appreciate it."
    "Don't worry. Everything will be fine. Trust your Auntie Liz."
    Hmmpf. If Auntie Liz hadn't talked me into joining the Love Club I wouldn't be in this situation. I tried to calm myself by cooking dinner, an old family recipe called Pasta a la Ragu. I washed the dishes, made a batch of my special gold nugget fudge, then a batch of brownies. I figured it was better to work off my angst chewing on chocolate than chewing off my nails.
    The doorbell rang while I was upstairs in the bathroom. I heard voices then the sound of Jenna's size tens pounding up the stairs. “There are two men from the sheriff's department downstairs. What's going on?” she whispered. “You're not dating both of them, are you?"
    The anxiety in her cornflower blue eyes mirrored mine. I hadn't expected an official visit this soon. I pulled her close and attempted a reassuring smile. “No, I think they're investigating an accident. Nothing to fret