Rear-View Murder: A Gemma Stone Cozy Mystery Read Free

pulled a Kleenex out of her purse and wiped off the steering wheel and gearshift knob. She pulled the driver's door closed and shifted it into drive.
    Smooth as silk.
    Nick gave her thumbs up sign and she nodded. This was a good start.
    “Want me to go with you?” he asked, stepping closer to the car.
    “No, thanks,” Gemma said. “I want to experience it by myself.”
    “Okay,” he said with a little smile, patted the side of the car and stepped back. “Be careful.”
    Gemma put the car in reverse and backed up. Again, she shifted into drive and the transmission operated smoothly. Once out on the street, she picked up a little bit of speed and then she changed lanes and took the exit onto the interstate that made a loop around town. She fiddled with the radio and found it working perfectly. The air conditioning was blowing cold and the engine hummed along, almost purring. The little car actually seemed to be happy to be zipping down the highway. And that smell seemed to be dissipating.
    Gemma caught a glance of herself in the rear view mirror. She was smiling. At that moment, she decided this was the car she was going to buy. Once off the interstate, she went back through town and returned to the car lot. Both Buddy and Nick were waiting for her.
    “What did you think?” Nick asked.
    “I want it,” Gemma said. “How much?”
    “We haven’t even had it long enough to price it or get it cleaned up,” Buddy told her.
    “Figure out a price, get it cleaned up and I’ll come back tomorrow to get it,” Gemma said. “Do I need to leave a down payment or something?”
    “Do you have something you want to trade?” Buddy asked.
    “No,” Gemma and Nick said at the same time. As infatuated as she was with this little blue car, she wasn’t ready to give up the Subaru. And for once, it seemed, Nick was in agreement.

Chapter Three
    W hen they returned the next morning, Gemma’s new car was sitting out in front of the office, polished to a brilliant blue shine. The transaction went smoothly and she was able to negotiate a lower price simply because she paid cash.
    Nick gave her a quick hug when they stepped back outside. “Congratulations.”
    “Thank you,” Gemma said, clutching the keys in her right hand. “I think I’m going to name her Gum Drop.”
    “You name your cars?” Buddy asked.
    “Of course. The Subaru’s name is Rosie,” Gemma said with a little laugh. “Doesn’t everyone name their cars? Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me, Gum Drop and I are going grocery shopping.”
    Nick and Buddy both laughed at that and Gemma happily left them behind.
    Her first stop was the home Holly shared with her parents. Her boyfriend, up and coming hot shot local attorney, Mitch Ward, was there looking as elegant as ever, even in casual clothes. They were sitting in the swing on the front porch poring over some sort of papers when she got out of the car and waved at them.
    “Hey, look who has a new car,” Holly said, hurrying down the steps and meeting Gemma about halfway up the walk.
    “What are you guys doing?” Gemma asked.
    Holly and Mitch exchanged glances.
    “Looking at apartments,” Holly said and reached for Mitch’s hand. “We’re thinking of moving in together.”
    Gemma wasn’t surprised. The two met while they were juniors in college and had been dating steadily since. When Mitch moved to Gypsy Hill, Gemma was pretty sure he was the one for Holly. “Wow! That’s exciting news.”
    “Yes it is,” Mitch said, giving Holly’s hand a squeeze.
    The look they shared made Gemma sad and happy at the same time. Of course, she was happy for her best friend. But even as young girls they had talked about having a double wedding. Unless something changed drastically, Gemma wouldn’t be getting married any time soon. And it sure looked like that was where Holly and Mitch were headed.
    “Let’s see the car,” Holly said, changing the subject as if she sensed Gemma’s feelings.
    Mitch looked it