A Fishy Dish (A Hooked & Cooked Cozy Mystery Series Book 3) Read Free Page B

it’s a man who is listed for that one.”
    Samantha slurped the hot chowder off her spoon. “A Sam Stone?” she asked before enjoying another spoonful.
    Hannah nodded. “Yeah. You know him?”
    She tilted her bowl to get the last bit at the bottom. “Sure do.” She pushed the bowl toward Hannah. “That hit the spot. Let’s go. Don’t worry about Mr. Stone. He and I have an understanding.”
    Hannah wasn’t sure what to make of this bossy woman who seemed to know more than she was saying.
    Samantha retrieved a big canvas bag from her car and joined Hannah in the office. Jack grinned like an old fool before he gave her a bear hug. “Glad to see you again, Sam. It’s been a long time”
    Hannah’s head jerked around. “Sam?”
    “Yup.” Samantha shoved glasses over her eyes and settled a dark blue, I-heart-Maine cap on her head. “Sam Stone. At your service.”
    Hannah’s mouth fell open. Samantha’s hat covered her short silver curls with only a few wisps peeking out around her ears. The round, tortoiseshell glasses perched on her nose transformed her face in a masculine direction. If she didn’t know better, Hannah would never have suspected that the face she was staring at belonged to a woman.
    “Close your mouth, Hannah. It’s not polite to stare,” Jack said. “Samantha made me promise not to reveal her little secret.”
    “I love to see people’s reactions.” She slapped her thigh. “It just kills me to be able to walk around as a man. You know, when I started out in the detective world, no one would give me the time of day until I showed up with my Sam Stone act.” She shrugged. “I like having my cake and eating it too, if you know what I mean.”
    Hannah was still tongue-tied. Her eyes blinked several times in succession but the image didn’t change. “Take off your hat and glasses.”
    Samantha obliged. “Voilà! It’s the real me again.”
    “Wow. That’s one incredible transformation. I wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t see it with my own eyes.” Hannah shook her head. “So, who are you while you’re staying in Cottage Three, and if you don’t mind me asking, what’s your job?”
    “Samantha Featherstone, of course. “I’ll keep Sam Stone hidden until I need his expertise.” She wagged her finger at Hannah and Jack. “And don’t blow my cover.
    “Not me,” Hannah promised.
    “My lips are sealed.” Jack zipped his lips closed.
    Samantha made herself comfy in the chair by the window with her legs crossed and her fingers tapping on the wooden arm. “As for the second part of your question, all I can say is that I came out of retirement to find Sally White. So, fill me in on what you know about her disappearance.”
    Hannah rested against the big old desk. She pulled on her long braid while she thought about what she’d heard. “Not much. Her parents are staying in the cottage next to this one. You’ll be next to them on the far side.”
    “Why are they staying here instead of their own home?” Samantha scrunched her brow.
    “All the media are camped out at their house. No one knows they’re here. Yet,” Jack explained.
    “Except that annoying writer staying in Cottage Four.” Hannah chewed on her thumbnail.
    “Don’t tell me it’s Sean Payne,” Samantha said with disgust lacing her tone.
    “Yeah, you know him?”
    Samantha stood up. “I’ve read his articles and heard he’s writing about missing kids. He’s not someone I have a relationship with for getting information. He’s a crafty one; likes to ask the questions and keep what he knows to himself. Definitely an odd guy. I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him.” She laughed. “And, even with this five foot two inches and a hundred and two pounds of fighting spirit, my throwing distance isn’t what it used to be, my dear.”
    Hannah decided she didn’t want to test Samantha’s fighting ability since she suspected it just might be a bit better than she let on. “How about you get