Bones and Brew Read online

  Louise nodded, his explanation making sense.

  “Using the app I’m talking about, you have complete control. No one listens to it without your consent. And you can turn it off and on at will. I recommend you keep the app turned off until you receive another call identified as unknown.”

  “Okay. I’ll do it,” she committed. “How do I get the app?”

  “I’ll have Sue, the forensics tech working on that map, call you and get the app set up on your phone.” He let out a sigh weighted with regret. “That’s the extent of resources I can spare at this time.”

  Though disappointed, “I understand,” she said.

  “I’ll work on this case as much as I can whenever I can. Meantime, keep vigilant about security for you and Ben. And mum’s the word regarding the map, threatening call, and the PO box.”

  “My lips are sealed.”

  “Call me immediately if you receive additional threatening phone calls.”

  “Will do. Thank you, Roger, for everything.”

  “My gut tells me we’re gonna catch the scumbag who murdered Tom. And we’re gonna catch him soon.”

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Sunday Evening

  Curled up on the couch and lying in Jason’s arms, Louise reflected on the wild week. “This has been a yo-yo crazy week of highs and lows.”

  “Your abduction about gutted me.” Jason combed his fingers through her long hair. “I thought I lost you before I ever had a chance to express my love for you.”

  “Me too.” She nestled her head into his bare chest. “We sure have experienced a rash of murders recently starting with Aubrey.”

  “Speaking of Aubrey, the memorial for her was wonderful yesterday. Her parents and friends were so appreciative. That was a great idea you had.”

  “Since Aubrey was an aspiring writer, Preacher Timothy’s wood carving of the open book was clever and beautifully done.” She tilted her head, looking up at her fiancé. “Did you think he was a bit distant, almost cold? He wouldn’t even make eye contact with me. This afternoon he didn’t say a word to me either. Stella was her delightful, nosy self, gushing with congratulations on our engagement. But Preacher Timothy…”

  “Now that you mention it,” Jason nodded in agreement, “Tim wasn’t his usual boisterous self yesterday or today.” He pulled a face. “Maybe the death of Porter and Preston rocked him. I can’t remember the last time he had to conduct a funeral, let alone one involving the son murdering his father and another brother murdering that son.”

  A shiver jolted Louise. “You’re right. Although there seemed to be no love lost between Tim and Porter, the Barr family is a mess right now. Two dead, plus their cousin Dot, and three on the run from the law. A man of the cloth would be empathetic. He’d put his personal differences aside and come to the aid of the grieving family.”

  “Speaking of the Barrs, do you think Norma Rae has anything to do with the map or the phone call?”

  “I doubt it. Roger said that PO box was rented over twenty years ago. I’m not sure Norma Rae was married to Morton then.”

  “If not Norma Rae, then it has to be another Barr. Don’t you agree?”

  “Or someone setting up the Barrs.”

  “I may be out of line here, Lou, but you seem to be defending the Barrs. A lot. What’s up with that?”

  “Guilt,” she answered without hesitation. “After Preston told me how much his father cared for me and how badly I treated him over the years, I feel obligated not to throw his entire family under the bus, simply because they appear convenient scapegoats.” She rubbed her fingers over the mound of salt and pepper hair on Jason’s chest. “Porter spending his dying words to say he loved me and that he knew Tom’s killer touched my heart in a way that’s hard to explain.”

  She gazed at the spectacular marquise diamond on her finger. “Speaking of touching my heart, this ring is magnificent. I love it, but it’s too much.”

  “Yosef Berstein, the owner of Berstein Jewelers, is a client.”

  Louise rocketed up into a seated position. “You’re joking.”

  “He owed me a favor.”

  “A lot of people owe you favors.” She wrinkled up her face and cocked her head at him. “Don’t tell me you got that new truck of yours because someone owed you a favor.”

  “Okay, I won’t.”

  “You did!” she shrieked and affectionately smacked him on the chest.

  “What can I say? I made a lot of friends over the years.”

  The mantel clocked chimed eleven times.

  Jason yawned. “If you’re planning to stay up another night in case the twelve-seventeen unknown caller decides tonight’s the night to ring, I’ll stay up with you.”

  “Thank you but, enough is enough. That one call might be all he ever intended. I’m through sacrificing any more of my sleep time, and yours, for that creep. I’ll let Ben out to take care of business then I’m hitting the hay.” She looked up at Jason and caressed the side of his face. “I do have a favor to ask.”

  “Name it.”

  “Would you mind ending this perfect day perfectly for me?”

  “Your wish is my command.”

  “Hold me … in bed.”

  A canyon-wide smile blossomed on his face. “That would be the most perfect ending imaginable to my perfect day as well.”

  “Woof-woof.” Ben leaped onto the couch, landing in the middle of Jason and Louise.

  “Ben!” Louise shrieked and laughed as the dog sprawled his massive body across their laps.

  “Let me guess…” Jason cocked his head and eyed the dog who appeared to be smiling. “You’re planning to sleep in bed between us, aren’t you?”

  “Woof-woof.”

  Thank You for Reading Bones and Brew

  I hope you were entertained and enjoyed embarking on this adventure with Louise and Ben as they encountered the Barrs and as Lou’s relationship with Jason blossomed.

  I invite you to leave a review on the retail site from which you purchased this novel.

  Reader reviews are like high-fives and hugs to the author, well, at least for me.

  Plus, reviews help other readers determine whether a book is a good match for their reading preferences and helps them decide to give an author new to them a chance.

  So please, I’d sure appreciate you taking a couple minutes to rate Bones and Brew with as many stars as you feel it deserves—the more, the better, of course—and write a few words to share your opinion of the book overall, or about a character you related to, or whatever!

  Plus, I’d love to hear from YOU. Please email me. I’m always interested to learn what you liked, or didn’t like about the story. Feel free, too, to ask me about my inspiration for a character, or a scene, or pretty much anything else. And, I’m always eager to hear about your four-legged kids! Send me pictures if you want.

  If you haven’t already, please be sure to check out my website and while you’re there, be sure to subscribe to my fun and quirky newsletter.

  [email protected]

  Anyway, again, THANK YOU. I hope you continue to follow the crime-solving misadventures of Louise and Ben in another Ruff and Tumble Cozy Thriller. The first chapter of Cut to the Bone follows.

  Meanwhile, until we “meet” again, keep smiling, bask in the beauty of nature as often as you can, and remember that love is a four-legged word!

  Alice

  [email protected]

  https://AliceHolladayAuthor.weebly.com

  About the Author

  Alice Holladay is the pen name under which Shirley Spain writes her “cozy” aka “clean” thrillers.

  Regardless of the author name she uses—Shirley or Alice—she’s an animal lover and appreciates the wonder and beauty of nature.

  She resides in the western United States with her soulmate, Curtis, and their canine kids, Ben and Charlie.

  Cut to the Bone Preview

  Chapter One

  I Warned You!


  “I have Ben,” the digitally-altered voice blared through the car speakers.

  “What!” Louise slammed on the brakes, skidding to a stop on the deserted mountain road.

  “You heard me,” the robotic voice stated. In the background, a dog yowled in pain.

  “Stop! Please don’t hurt him,” she shrieked and mashed the gas pedal to the floor.

  The Escalade’s powerful V-8 engine roared into overdrive. The torque threw her back into the seat like an airplane speeding down the runway preparing to take flight.

  “I’ll be home in less than two minutes. That’s where you are, right … at my home?”

  “You caused this, Miss Louise.”

  Both hands clenching the steering wheel with a white-knuckled grip, fear twisted her stomach.

  “I told you what would happen if you didn’t forget about the map.”

  “Stop. Please.” Louise erupted into tears at the sound of another pitiful yelp. “He’s an innocent animal. If you want to torture someone, torture me.”

  “That’s exactly what I am doing,” he let loose a maniacal cackle. “You were warned but didn’t listen. Time to say goodbye to Ben.”

  “Please, I beg you—”

  A god-awful thud followed by eerie silence came through the phone.

  “Nooooo!”

  End of Sample

  Please visit Alice Holladay’s website for

  more information about other books in the

  Ruff and Tumble Cozy Thriller series.

  https://AliceHolladayAuthor.weebly.com