Sedona Law 5 by Dave Daren (e book reader android .TXT) 📗

a box in a closet.’”

“Damn,” AJ whistled. “That’s sad.

“That’s about Clare,” I said confidently.

“If he wrote it,” AJ argued.

“He wrote it,” Vicki confirmed with a nod. “The Korean is bad, and the attempt at Korean poetry even worse.”

The tape ended on that note, and we switched to the next one. It was the Hindu pop again.

“So, we’re back to Clare,” I muttered and leaned back in my chair.

“Then there’s the Wright Way guys,” AJ added.

“You’re right,” I replied with a frown. “They seemed to have fallen off our radar. A bunch of convicted felons who Jerry screwed out of a job, basically. And they put out a hit on the other guy who was involved with Jerry.”

“Right.” AJ nodded.

“Did we investigate Wright Way fully?” I asked.

“We got a copy of the bankruptcy report,” AJ replied as she twirled a dry erase marker between her fingers.

“Perfect,” I said. “Can you send it to me?”

“Sure.” She set the marker down and messed around on her laptop.

I glanced away and over our table of research and evidence.

“Why does Jerry have all this stuff in his safe?” I wondered as I ran a hand through my hair.

“Fear of copyright infringement?” Vicki offered.

“No,” I shook my head, “because why would he make all this music, record it, and keep it private?”

“I keep my poetry private,” AJ chimed in.

“That’s different,” I argued. “He’s a media professional. His whole life is about getting media ‘out there.’ What was he doing with all of this stuff?”

Before anyone could answer, we heard the door to the office open.

“Hello?” I heard my mother’s voice resonate.

“Saffron,” Vicki called out. “We’re back here.”

“Hey mom,” I greeted as she walked into the conference room. “How’s it going?”

“Well,” she said, “I texted Vicki, and she said you guys were working late. So, I thought I’d bring you guys some sustenance.”

“You brought snacks?” AJ asked as she eagerly eyed the basket in my mother’s hand.

My mom set a wicker basket on the table and smiled.

“First batch,” she announced.

I looked into the basket and it had jars of salsa and kale chips.

“Jimmy’s Red Hot, Purple Haaze Salsa,” I read out loud.

“They put two A’s in ‘haze’,” AJ noticed.

I rubbed my face.

“We did that on purpose,” my mom said and winked at me. “It was Henry’s idea.”

“That wasn’t what--” I started.

“Wait,” AJ gasped and turned to gape at my mother. “You made this?”

“Yes, we did,” my mom replied proudly.

“This is the new Irving family business,” I sighed. “I guess you got the McGrath’s involved.”

“Oh,” Mom said, “they’ve been so sweet. They’re just great people.”

“How many jars did you make?” Vicki asked.

“We did fifty jars for the test run,” my mother answered. “Perry set us up a meeting with Earth Market at the end of the month, so we did a test batch.” She wiped her forehead and rubbed her lower back. “It was a long night. You should see the kitchen.”

AJ’s eyes grew wide. “You did that all in your kitchen?”

“Sure,” my mom nodded, “where else would we do it?”

AJ held one of the jars and examined it.

“Go ahead, honey,” my mother told her. “Try it.”

“I think we’ve got paper plates around here somewhere,” I said.

“Yeah,” AJ replied with a wide grin. “I’ll be right back.” Then she disappeared in search of the paper plates.

“And that Neptune,” my mom shook her head, “have you ever seen such a cute baby? All chunky baby fat, oooh … I just want to hug him all day long. Oh!”

“You brought him into the world,” I chuckled. My mom had been the midwife for Perry McGrath’s wife Kristin. “So, you have that special connection to him.”

“You’re missing my point,” she sighed.

“I’m not,” I disagreed diplomatically. “I’m avoiding your point.”

“Uh-huh.” My mother narrowed her eyes at me. “And you could fit a bassinet right here in this corner and get right on with your murder investigation.”

I knew it was only a time before she brought this up.

“Oh my,” Vicki laughed, and she blushed as her eyes flickered between me and my mother.

“That’s all I’m saying,” my mom chuckled and raised her hands.

“Well, thanks,” I muttered and rubbed at the bridge of my nose. “You said it.”

“Oh, look,” my mother suddenly said as she took a step toward me.

“What?” I asked, and I backed away as she peered into my scalp. “What are you doing?”

“Is that a gray hair?” she mocked.

AJ reentered the room on that comment, and both she and Vicki died laughing.

“Get out, Mom,” I laughed and batted her hands away. “Get out.”

She giggled and patted my back. “Did you have any luck with Clare?”

“We’ve talked to her a few times,” Vicki said.

“I think she’s as guilty as they come,” AJ remarked as she poured the jar of salsa into a foam bowl and laid out plates.

“I do too,” my mom agreed with a frown. “I never trusted that woman. She seems like one of those exorcist types who will be all nice and normal, and then one day, turn on you and go berserk. I’ve tried all sorts of relaxation with her, even hypnosis. Nothing seems to really take the edge off her.”

“Why do you say she’s edgy?” Vicki asked and tilted her head curiously.

“Oh,” my mom waved her hand, “she’s always frazzled and scatterbrained, which is one thing. But she’s got a temper that will go off for no real reason. Something that no one even knows about will set her off, and then heaven help anyone who gets in her path. She knows about all of this and has asked me for help, and I’ve tried a few things, but nothing’s