Gone With the Win: A Bed-And-Breakfast Mystery Read Free Page B

against the cushions, she heard Joe greet the newcomer. It was a woman, undoubtedly Mary Smith. Idly, Judith wondered if the stew had dried up. If necessary, she’d make fresh dumplings. Maybe she should have let Joe start a fire after all. That would make the parlor even more cozy and romantic. This would be a perfect ending to a very good day. Except, of course, for Gertrude’s collision with the birdbath. But even that, Judith consoled herself, was only a minor irritation.
    Her reverie was interrupted by the exchange in the entry hall. Joe’s mellow tone had sharpened; the woman sounded angry.
    “So what?” she said. “I’ve got my ID. What more do you need?”
    Judith recognized the voice, but couldn’t quite place it.
    “How about a credit card?” Joe said, obviously irked. “You didn’t give one on this reservation.”
    “That’s because I’m paying cash,” the woman said.
    Judith leaned closer, hearing what sounded like rummaging.
    “Here,” the newcomer said. “Two hundred bucks. Does that cover it? Or do you want to call the cops?”
    “I am a cop,” Joe said a bit wearily. “Retired. Okay. Fine. But most people don’t use an alias.”
    “I had to,” the woman replied, sounding petulant. “I was afraid Judith wouldn’t want to see me again after Little Bavaria. Fact is, I wouldn’t blame her.”
    Judith got off the window seat and hurried out of the parlor. “Ruby Tooms,” she said, offering her hand. “I had no idea it was you!”
    Sheepishly, Ruby took her hostess’s hand. “Like I told Mr. Flynn, I figured you might not want to run into me. But I have to talk to you.” She brushed back a strand of pale blond hair and grimaced. “I need your help. I want you to find my mother’s killer.”

Chapter 2
     
    J udith knew Joe was staring at her and not at Ruby. “Excuse me,” he said, keeping his voice level and low. “Am I missing something here?”
    “Not really,” Judith replied, avoiding her husband’s gaze. “But I should speak to Ruby privately. Do you mind? Dinner’s on the stove.”
    “Hey,” Ruby said, “if Mr. Flynn’s a cop, why can’t he listen in?”
    “ Retired cop,” Joe repeated. “Mrs. Flynn’s retired, too. From sleuthing, that is.” He grabbed Judith’s arm. “Isn’t that right, my darling?”
    “Yes,” Judith replied with a lift of her chin. “That’s true. But the least we can do—both having had experience with homicides—is hear her story. Then we can advise her how to proceed. She has, after all, paid two hundred bucks for the privilege, which is more than her room costs. Unless you’d rather make change or refund the money.”
    Joe frowned. “Okay, come into the kitchen,” he said to Ruby. “You’ve paid for dinner, too. That includes a drink, if you want one.”
    “I sure do,” Ruby said. “I took the bus from Little Bavaria. It stopped at every little dumpy place along the way. That highway through the mountains is a bitch. There was a big wreck, so we had to wait until the mess was cleared off the road. It was raining like hell until we got close to the city. Make mine Scotch rocks—just like your wife’s.”
    Joe glanced at Judith. “Sounds like you do know her.”
    “We met when Ruby was working two jobs as a waitress and bartender during Oktoberfest. It turned out that her father used to patronize Dan’s café—or at least the bar.”
    Joe looked askance. “Anybody who hung out at The Meat & Mingle must have an interesting résumé—or should I say ‘police record’?” Seeing Judith’s dark eyes snap, he shrugged and led the way toward the kitchen. “You two sit and talk,” he said, opening the swinging half doors leading from the dining room. “I know my way around a stove.”
    Ruby sat down across from Judith. “Have all your husbands been able to cook?”
    “I’ve only had two,” Judith replied. “Dan’s cooking was a vocation. Joe’s is an avocation.”
    “Dan,” Ruby echoed. “He owned The