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

“It’s okay to laugh when other people’s karma comes around to bite them in the ass. In fact, it’ll make your karma bad if you don’t laugh.”
    I couldn’t really argue with her logic so I let another roll of laughter peal out before getting myself under control.
    We both deflated like a balloon with a hole in it and I sat down in my desk chair. Veronica was in the hospital, which meant she couldn’t have killed Mr. Mooney. But that didn’t let her off the hook for Mr. Butler’s murder in my opinion. Nick did say both murders looked like different people had committed them, even though he was certain they were related in some way.
    “I came by to ask you for a favor,” Rose Marie said.
    “What do you need?” I had my fingers crossed that she didn’t need me to feed her dogs. The last time I’d had the honor I’d ended up with a hole in the back of my favorite pair of jeans and dog slobber in places best left unmentioned.
    “A friend of mine is starting a new business. She gives those home parties, you know, and she’s giving one tonight to show some new products her company has just marketed. I told her I’d get as many people as possible to show up since this is her first one. She’s a little nervous. There are a few other teachers going too, so you’ll know some people there. It would really mean a lot if you’d come.”
    “Sure, that sounds like fun.” And I actually meant it. A night out with the girls was just what I needed.
    “Great, here’s the invitation, and the address is on it. I’ll see you there.”
    It was turning out to be a great day. Veronica Wade’s boob exploded, and I’d get to buy some new Tupperware. And it’s not like buying Tupperware was splurging. It was economical and something I’d need to store all the Welcome to the Neighborhood casseroles and cakes I envisioned my new neighbors bringing me. Life was good.

    I heard the first strains of the 1812 Overture and fished my cell phone out of the bottom of my purse while avoiding a head-on collision at the same time.
    “Damn, I’m good.”
    I’d stopped by the agency and traded the Z for Kate’s boring beige Taurus. I was on my way to Eddie Pogue’s house for an impromptu visit, and I was doing it without Nick.
    “Hello,” I said into the receiver as I parked the Taurus down the street from Eddie’s house.
    “How was your day, sweetheart?” Nick asked on the other end of the line.
    I could hear the smile in his voice and pictured him sitting at his desk with his feet propped up, the phone tucked between his shoulder and ear as he accomplished ten things at once.
    “Just fine, honey buns,” I said sweetly. “Veronica Wade’s tit deflated and I’m going to a Tupperware party tonight.”
    “Sounds like a full day. Let’s talk about murder.”
    “You know, sometimes a girl likes to talk about things other than work. Sometimes a girl likes to have a little courtship.”
    “Do you want to have dinner tomorrow night?”
    “Sure.”
    “Now can we talk about murder?” he asked.
    “Sorry. My plate’s a little full at the moment.”
    “You wouldn’t be going after Eddie Pogue right now, would you?”
    The man would have made a fortune as one of those psychics on television. “Nope, not me,” I lied and hung up. Sometimes a girl had to take drastic measures.
    I parked in front of the big Colonial down the street from Eddie’s and decided I’d go from the front this time. The street was quiet since it was a Monday and it was the middle of the day. These were working class people that had to pay for car loans, dance lessons and time-share packages.
    I looped the camera around my neck and shoved open the door of the Taurus. I didn’t bother locking it because I figured Kate would be better off if someone stole it.
    The only sounds I heard as I approached Eddie’s house were birds chirping and the blare of Montel Williams from someone’s T.V. I hid behind a crepe myrtle that was exploding with pink blooms and peeped around until I could see the front of Eddie’s house. The lawn was freshly mowed and someone had left an expensive looking lawn mower and weed whacker lying on the grass. There was no sight of Eddie, so I walked up his sidewalk as bold as you please and looked in the open window.
    I got a glimpse of a spotless kitchen and figured Eddie’s wife was the responsible party. She was probably at work like Eddie should have been, but Eddie was in front of the T.V. involved in the woes