A Baked Ham Read Free Page B

tickets for your lodge,” I said.
    “You were awfully nice to him,” Martha said.
    “What can I say?   I’m trying to turn over a new leaf,” Moose
said.   “To be frank, I’ve been losing my
temper too much lately, and I’m trying to change.”
    “ You ?” I asked incredulously.   “There’s got to be more to it than that.”
    “Granddaughter, are you
questioning my truthfulness?”
    “Absolutely.”
    Moose grinned.   “Okay, I can’t really blame you for
that.   Part of it is that I didn’t want
to antagonize the sheriff any sooner than I had to.   I figure that as soon as he finds out that
we’re digging into Benny’s murder, he’ll have reason enough to be upset with
the two of us.”
    I felt a sinking feeling in the
pit of my stomach.   “So, we’re going to
try to solve Benny’s murder ourselves.   You’re right about one thing.   The
sheriff isn’t going to be too happy about that.”
    “You’re with me, though, aren’t
you?” Moose asked as he studied me carefully.
    “You shouldn’t even have to
ask.   Why don’t you pour us all more
coffee so we can get started?”
    “None for me,” Martha said.   “I’ll never get to sleep if I start drinking
caffeine this late in the day.   Honestly,
I’m just going to be in the way here.   I
think I’ll go home, if you don’t mind.”
    “I’d be happy to drive you,” Greg
said.
    “I don’t want to put you out,”
Martha said.
    “It’s no trouble, believe
me.   I’ve found that it works out better
for me if I stay our of their way when they’re sleuthing.   All I need is my grill and my family to be
happy.”
    I kissed Greg’s cheek.   “Are you sure you don’t mind?”
    “I’m happy to do it.   Just don’t stay out too late.   Remember, you’ve got an early start
tomorrow.”
    “Thanks,” I said.
    “I could always come in and work
your opening shift tomorrow,” Martha offered.   My grandmother used to have my job until she’d retired, and she still
filled in for me every now and then.   Even though she’d gotten a little careless with making change over the
years, it was still wonderful having her there.
    “Thanks, but until we have some
kind of plan, I’m not sure when I’ll need you.   I plan on taking you up on your offer eventually.   I’m just not sure when yet.”
    “There’s no rush.   I’m here if you need me.”
    “I won’t be long,” Moose said as
he kissed my grandmother soundly.
    “Don’t make promises you can’t
keep, you old fool,” she said with a laugh.
    After they were gone, Moose
looked at me, grinned, and rubbed his hands together.   “Let’s get started, shall we?”
    “You’re enjoying this just a
little too much for my taste,” I said.   “A man died tonight, remember?   And you’re one of the sheriff’s chief suspects.   It’s not exactly a cause for
celebration.   I know you weren’t all that
fond of Benny, but it’s still no reason to smile about what happened to him.”
    “That wasn’t why I was smiling,
and you know it.   You’re right.   Benny was a rat, but he still deserved better
than to get whacked with his own trophy.   The reason I smiled is because I live for these puzzles of ours.   Retirement isn’t all that it’s cracked up to
be, and a little excitement every now and then is a welcome thing.”
    “Funny, I could do just fine
without too much of it myself.   Now,
should I get our Specials board out so we can make a list of who might have
clobbered Benny from behind?   I mean
besides you and Martha.”
    “That’s not a bad idea.   Thanks for not including our names on
it.   I can’t imagine having too much
trouble making a list.   Benny wasn’t
exactly beloved around here, was he?”
    I shook my head.   “Sure, he could be annoying at times, but
that’s not enough reason to kill a man, is it?”
    “It depends on how irritating he
is,” Moose said, and I swear that I couldn’t tell if he was kidding or
not.