Jewelry Can Be Deadly (Sage Gardens Cozy Mystery Book 6) Read Free Page A

behind Jo. Jo looked up at him.
    “Did you find anything missing? Do you think it was a robbery?” She searched his eyes.
    “No, there’s nothing missing, other than my wife.” Roger’s eyes moistened. “Why would you even ask that? I don’t understand why everyone is acting like this isn’t the simple tragic death that it is.”
    “I’m sorry, I was just asking.” Jo stood up. “I didn’t mean to upset you. But are you sure that nothing is missing?”
    “I appreciate your concern, but no nothing is missing.” He frowned. “Do I know you?”
    “I was here this morning.” Jo cringed and resisted reminding him about the muffin delivery. “I noticed that your wife was wearing…”
    “Ma’am, you need to leave the scene now,” the officer at the door commanded her. “Did you find your key?”
    “Oh yes.” Jo looked over at him and nodded. When she looked back at Roger the lead officer had pulled him over to the corner again. Jo thought about the argument she had overheard that morning. She stepped out of the villa and joined Samantha.
    “There’s something very strange going on here.”
    “Stranger than a woman dying on the very same day she moved in here?” Samantha shook her head. “That is terrible luck.”
    “Strange as in, this might not be accidental.”
    “What makes you think that?” Samantha looked at her with surprise.
    “I’m not sure just yet. I’ll let you know if I figure anything out. Are you going to be okay to get home?”
    “Sure.” Samantha nodded.
    “Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    “Don’t forget that we are meeting Walt and Eddy for breakfast at the café.”
    “Uh huh.” Jo nodded but she barely heard her words. Her mind was on the missing necklace.

Chapter 3
    A t breakfast the next morning the café buzzed with conversation about Valda’s unexpected death. Jo listened closely to the comments around her, but she heard no mention of the necklace that she believed was missing. Perhaps she and Samantha had been the only ones to even see it, if Samantha had even noticed it. The general gist of the conversation was sympathy for Roger and the tragedy of an accidental death. People did whisper about the muffins being made by Samantha, however. Jo noticed that the café grew quiet when Samantha walked in the door. She rushed over to the table to join Jo.
    “They all think I poisoned her.” Samantha grimaced. “Why would they think that?”
    “They don’t think that, Samantha. It’s just a juicy tidbit for them to discuss. None of them would ever dare to say it to your face.”
    “Maybe not, but that doesn’t change the fact that it was indeed my muffin that was in her mouth.”
    “Sure, but it could have just as easily been a piece of apple. She could have choked on anything.”
    “I know you’re just trying to make me feel better, but I don’t even want to think about how she died.”
    “Well, what about her necklace? Do you remember seeing it?” Jo leaned across the table and lowered her voice.
    “Necklace?” Samantha shook her head. “I’m not sure. Was she wearing one?”
    “She was wearing one when we brought the muffins, but not when she died.”
    “Huh. Well, maybe she took it off for the evening?”
    “Maybe.” Jo narrowed her eyes. She recalled the argument Valda had with Roger. Perhaps Roger had insisted that she put the necklace away. Why else would he not mention it to the police? “It’s not just any necklace, it’s a very valuable necklace. I’m sure of it.” Jo quietened down as she noticed the two men that approached their table. The taller of the two was Walt. His thin frame was immaculately clothed as usual in a sweater and pleated pants. The larger and slightly shorter of the two was Eddy. His balding head was covered with a fedora as usual, and his eyes narrowed slightly at the corners with suspicion. The two men settled themselves at their table.
    “Good morning, Samantha, Jo.” Walt smiled at both of