Homicide by Hamlet (Cozy Mystery) Book #3 (Chubby Chicks Club Cozy Mystery Series) by Lois Lavrisa Page B

remember that.”
    “How about a note?”
    Gerald coughed.
    “Winona mentioned that there was a note from Priscilla to you. Something about the past and righting wrongs.”
    Gerald’s phone rang. He looked relieved. “Listen, I have to get this. I’ll see you tonight at seven, my place.” He leaned over and kissed my cheek.
    The smell of his spicy cologne and the feel of his warm soft lips on my cheek left me temporarily frozen.
    Dang it, it had happened again. I got all twisted around my mixed up feelings about him, and I forgot he could be a killer.
    Did he purposely avoid answering my questions because he was hiding something?

Chapter Fourteen
     
    Once Gerald left, I walked over to Bezu. “I think after camp finishes tomorrow, I’m leaving town.”
    “Why?”
    “Because of this here,” I waved my hands around the lobby. “All of this is messing with my mind. I need to get away from it. Maybe a week or two in the North Carolina mountains would do me some good. Maybe I’ll head to Maggie Valley.”
    “I’m still not following you. Give me a second.” She turned and handed a bottle of cleaner and a cloth to her helper. “Please wipe down the tables—then you’re done for the day. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    Her helper nodded and began cleaning the tables.
    Bezu put her hand on my back and guided me to a quiet area. “What’s going on with you?”
    “Besides a team leader being murdered?”
    She held my gaze. “Yes. But there’s more isn’t there?”
    I took a deep breath. “And me getting knocked flat by a ghost? And my friend Gerald possibly being a murderer?” All my fears tumbled out of me like an avalanche. “This is my last camp where I’m valuable, productive and needed. After this I head off into the solitary confinement of no man’s land called retirement. I will fade away, all alone, and everyone will forget about me as I shrivel into nothingness. Knowing that the best part of my life is gone and that there’s nothing to look forward to. Nope, I can’t imagine what’s wrong with me.”
    Bezu hugged me. “Feel better now that you got all that out?”
    Laying out all my fears and insecurities to a trusted friend felt like a load was lifted.
    “Actually, I do,” I said.
    “And for your information, there’s no way anyone will forget about you. Ever.” She smiled. “And retirement doesn’t have to be an end, it can be a beginning. It can be the best part of your life.”
    “How so?” Once Bezu got on a roll, there was no stopping her.
    “You’re a strong and powerful woman who can do anything you set your mind to. Not to mention that all of your skills and knowledge are valuable. You’ll always be wanted—you only need to reach out and grab all of the opportunities. Volunteer. Take classes. Travel. Have new adventures. New experiences—maybe even a new love.”
    “You set me up,” I laughed. “You’re still trying to get Gerald and me together.”
    She tapped my arm. “Remember our promise.”
    “Right.” I paused. “What I do remember is that you said you’d help me solve this case as my sidekick. That sure would help me feel appreciated instead of old and dried-up.” I grinned.
    “Now you’re just playing with my sympathy,” Bezu laughed. “You’re a sly little fox aren’t you?”
    I nodded. “Are you in?”
    Bezu sighed. “What do you have in mind?”
    “More snooping around. I want to see if I can find out what was going on with Gerald and Priscilla. The whole past issue thing. Every time I ask Gerald about it, he conveniently avoids the subject.”
    “Do you think that makes him guilty?”
    “Yes.” My heart ached. “I don’t want to find out for certain that he was responsible for Priscilla’s death. On the other hand, I want to know who the killer is and have justice served. I hope I’m doing the right thing.”
    “I think that it’s best to leave this alone—as they say ‘let sleeping dogs lie,’” Bezu said.
    “There’s no dog