And The Earth Moved: Romantic Comedy Cozy Mystery (Amber Reed CCIA Mystery Book 1) Read Free Page A

village, turning up the lane where I’m parked. The lane which leads to the quarry. At last.
    I duck down out of sight, throwing the top half of my body onto the passenger seat and feel a little tingle of excitement, pretending I’m in one of those cops and robbers movies. As I straighten up I pull a cast-aside sweet wrapper from my cheek and start the car. I really must get around to having a good clean and sort out in here soon. Checking down the lane I wait for Charlie’s car to reach the end and turn right towards the quarry, out of sight, before I pull away to follow him.
    I’ve seen enough of the crime-busting TV programmes. Isn’t that the number one rule when it comes to tailing people? Leave a big enough distance between your car and theirs but not so big you lose complete sight of them.
    Ten minutes into the journey to the quarry I’m priding myself on having tailed CCIA Charlie quite so well. He has no idea I’m following him and he’s just turned down the narrow track which leads towards the quarry entrance.
    Soon I’ll be pulling up next to him at the quarry offices, claiming I just happen to be there to get a quote on stone for a garden makeover or something and I’ll be able to accidentally overhear his little chat with the Turston brothers who run the place.
    SUGAR.
    I slam on the brakes and try to stop my car ploughing into Charlie’s which is now blocking the track up ahead. Charlie is standing in front of it, hands on hips and an un-amused expression on his face.
    I notice he doesn’t even flinch as my car screeches to a halt only a foot or so in front of him.

Chapter Three
    Collapsing back in my seat and trying to catch my breath I barely register Charlie opening the door of my car.
    “Are you crazy?” I gasp. “Why did you stop in the middle of the bloody road?”
    “Why are you following me?” he demands.
    “Following? Er…” I stammer. “Er, I’m not. I’m going to the quarry. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “Everywhere I’ve been this morning, you’ve been around too or sitting in your car watching me. Why?” he asks, still standing with arms folded, looking determined. “What’s so interesting about following me around?”
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about…” I fluster.
    He’s still standing in front of me, looking as though he’s going nowhere until he gets a satisfactory answer.
    I’m going to have to tell him the truth, aren’t I? Otherwise we could still be stuck on this lane when it gets dark. I get the feeling Charlie Huxton isn’t the type of guy who gives up on things.
    “OK.” I sigh. “I know who you are.”
    He frowns and shifts his tough guy stance slightly. “And who am I exactly?”
    “Charlie Huxton. CCIA,” I mumble. “Ennis asked for you to work this case about Joel.”
    He looks around him as though he’s checking there’s nobody listening, no locals lurking in the bushes or hedges. “Pull your car off the road and come and get in mine.”
    “Sorry? What?”
    He gestures towards my little red car. “Move your car so it isn’t blocking the road and then come and get in my car. We need to talk.”
    I close the door of my car and select reverse, then a thought pops into my head. I shout through the open window at Charlie as he strolls back to his car. “Hey! How do I know this isn’t a trick and you’re going to jump in your car and drive off anyway?”
    Charlie raises his arms in a shrug. “You don’t,” he shouts back and then smiles. That smile.
    Now, I must confess reversing isn’t my favourite way of spending time in a car. No, don’t go asking me what my favourite way of spending time in a vehicle is, please. I failed my driving test five times before finally gaining a pass certificate. I was single-handedly blamed for how quickly Mr Wright from the local driving test centre’s hair turned grey. My three point turns are legendary around these parts as they’re much closer to thirty point