Whiskey Rebellion (Romantic Mystery/Comedy) Book 1 (Addison Holmes Mysteries)

to your door when I got back from the grocery store this morning.”
    I flipped through the photos. There were pictures of me leaving yoga class and in the teacher’s parking lot. There was one of me leaving my mom’s after a Sunday dinner and another of me having dinner with Kate and Mike at a restaurant in Savannah. I tried to look at them dispassionately, but inside I was sick.
    “Is this the first time someone has left photos?” Nick asked.
    I winced inside because I knew he wasn’t going to be happy with my answer. “Not exactly,” I said.
    I shuffled through my bag until I found the photo that had been taped to my car, and I handed it to Nick. “I also received a phone call,” I said and punched the play button on my answering machine.
    Nick listened to the entire message without saying a word, but his face darkened and took on the appearance of a thundercloud.
    “Jesus Christ, Addison. Did it ever occur to you that whoever left that message could be a killer? And now he’s stalking you.”
    “When you say it that way it sounds a lot worse than what I’d worked out in my mind. I just figured it was some kind of prank.” I chewed on my bottom lip as I thought it through. “Mr. Butler took this photo with his camera phone while I was on stage. I saw him do it. But someone left it taped to my windshield after Mr. Butler’s murder. If Greg was at The Foxy Lady, do you think he could be Mr. Butler’s killer and the one who left the photograph?”
    Nick looked through all the photos and I could tell he was thinking things through in that methodical cop way he had. “I wouldn’t rule it out ,” he said.
    Nick picked up a black duffle bag and riffled through it. He pulled out an envelope lined with bubble wrap and pulled out a disc. “I’ve got the surveillance tapes from The Foxy Lady I’d like you to look at. You seem to be the only link between The Foxy Lady and Bernard Butler and Greg, and maybe you can spot something I can’t. I’m desperate at this point.”
    “Oh, thanks a lot. I’m so glad you resort to my help in times of desperation. I’m not completely incompetent you know. I’m even thinking of getting a real P.I. license.”
    “God help us all,” Nick said with a smile. “Make sure you take out personal protection insurance. You haven’t had the best track record since you started this job.”
    “I don’t have to take this from you. You’re the one that needs my help. And to show you what a team player I am, I’m willing to make you a deal.”
    “I can’t wait to hear this.”
    “I’ll help you on your case if you’ll help me on one of mine. It’ll be an even trade.”
    “You think it’s an even trade for me to help you with amateur detective work while you help me with a murder investigation? You’re out of your mind.”
    “Unless you’re afraid that I’ll be of more help to you than you will be to me. I guess it would look pretty bad for a detective to get shown up by a history teacher.”
    “Ha! You’re as transparent as glass, Addison. You don’t think that you can solve your case by yourself, whereas I know I can solve mine, it just might take a little longer without your help.”
    I wasn’t willing to admit that he was right, so I stared him down with a look that any poker player would be proud of.
    “I’ll tell you what,” he said. “I’ll help you out. But—I have a couple of stipulations.”
    I rolled my eyes. “I’ve already told you I don’t want to have sex with you, so you can steer clear of that idea.”
    “No, you told me you didn’t want to have rebound sex with me. I, however, would like a date with you. With the chance of non-rebound sex to be followed closely after.”
    “That’s blackmail,” I said, outraged.
    “Take it or leave it,” he said, the grin on his face challenging. “Your nipples are hard, so I have to think that the idea of spending a night with me isn’t completely repulsive.”
    “ It’s cold in here,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.
    “Liar.”
    “Fine, it’s a deal.” I took the surveillance DVD from his hand and headed over to my 52” television.
    “ Everything about you is such a contradiction.” He sat back on the couch with the remote in his hand and I took the spot beside him. “You have all this sweet electronic equipment, fancy furniture and a sexy car. Why the hell do you live in this dump?”
    “The rent is cheap, which allows me to be able to almost afford all the sweet