Nosy Neighbor: All 7 complete Nosy Neighbor cozy mysteries PLUS: 2 short Christmas stories (A Nosy Neighbor mystery)

by Cynthia Hickey

  “That’s strange, isn’t it? The first book wasn’t like that.”

  “But this is an in-between book.” I grinned and shoved the books at her. “I’ll call you next week to make final arrangements. See you on Friday.” I fairly skipped from the building, waiting in the foyer for Matt and Mary Ann.

  “That went well.” Mary Ann hugged me. “One of our suspects actually gave us the prime idea that might draw them out of the woodwork. I’m going to play around with the cover a bit more, too. Make the killer on the front subtly more cartoonish.”

  Matt shook his head, leading the way to the car. “I’m surprised I don’t have a head full of gray hair.”

  “You’d still be handsome.” I ruffled his hair and raced away.

  Pounding footsteps alerted me to the fact he followed. He grabbed me around the waist, swinging me in the air. I squealed as he nibbled my neck. I’d missed the carefree part of our relationship. Just when things had gotten good after Ms. Henley went off to jail, Matt had gone undercover. If life and death kept interfering we’d never get to take our relationship to a deeper level.

  “You might want to cool it,” Mary Ann said, motioning her head toward the glass doors of the library. “You have an audience.”

  I peered over Matt’s shoulder to where Janet glared. If she was my stalker, I’d just reinforced in her mind exactly what my relationship with Matt was. “Let’s go home.”

  He slid me down the length of his body, taking long enough to stir my blood and scramble my senses. “Let Mary Ann drive. Then we can neck in the backseat.”

  “Behave. My potential stalker is watching.”

  “Let her watch. It won’t hurt for her to know that one of Oak Meadows’ finest officers is looking out for you.” He planted a kiss on my lips, then slid his arm around my waist. “Let me take you out to dinner tonight before I have to go back to the daily grind. Ryan can babysit my sister.”

  “Gee, thanks.” Mary Ann punched his shoulder.

  The prospect of a night out with my honey, not thinking of the case or my next book, filled me with happiness. I practically floated to my car. Until then, I hadn’t noticed how much I needed a night off. Maybe Angela could lend me something pretty to wear.

  Matt dropped Mary Ann and I off at the house, promising to return to pick me up in an hour. The day had flown by while visiting my three top suspects, and I was starved. So were my three babies. While rare for the two cats and the dog to be in the same room at the same time, dinner time was another thing altogether.

  Serenaded with meows and whimpers, I filled food dishes and water dish, then headed upstairs to raid Angela’s closet. She had more dating experience than I did; in fact, if dating were a college major, she’d have a Master’s Degree. I flipped through her hangars, settling on a dress in royal blue. My red hair would contrast nicely with the color and the long sleeves would keep me from freezing to death when the temperatures dropped with the sun. I carried the dress, hangar and all, to my room.

  The gentle beeping of the alarm alerted me that the rest of the family had returned. I turned on the water in the shower and waited for the temperature to adjust. While waiting, I checked my emails. I had one from my agent asking when the “bait” was going to be set out, and one from my stalker. I opened it and read, “Well played, my friend. I hope the little cup of poisoned coffee serves to remind you of who you’re dealing with.”

  I had no idea who I was dealing with. That’s why all the trickery and questions. I shut off my computer and headed for the shower.

  Dressed, hair done and makeup on, I headed downstairs. Dakota held the freezer open, staring inside. “There’s nothing to eat in this house.”

  “Where’s your mother?”

  “Out with that cop guy. The one who dumped her.”

  I pulled out a tray of mini-beef sliders. “Pop a few of these into the microwave for a minute and you’re ready to go.”

  “You look hot. Where are you going?”

  “Out with Matt. Mary Ann is here somewhere.”

  “Living room. She’s agreed to watch an action movie with me. Cherokee is holed up in her room fighting on the phone with some guy. My mom and sister have the worst luck in men.”

  I gave him a side hug. “That’s because they aren’t picking men like you.”

  He blushed. “Have fun with Matt. He’s cool.”

  Car lights shined through the window. “Yeah, I like him, too. See you later.”

  I bypassed Ryan on the way in as I headed out. “They’re watching a movie right up your alley.”

  “Great.” He headed straight for the kitchen. “Something smells good.”

  I smiled and shook my head, thankful there were at least twenty sliders on the tray I’d given Dakota. I needed to spend some more time in cooking therapy just to keep that big man happy. Once upon a time, I’d spent time cooking casseroles as a way to relax, but threats against my life had taken away that simple pleasure. I promised myself I’d cook all day tomorrow.

  “You’re smokin’.” Matt held the car door open.

  “You don’t look so bad yourself.” I noted the dark turtleneck and blazer which set off his blond hair. Of course the man could make a gunny sack look good. “Where are we going?”

  “How does steak sound?”

  “Wonderful.” Other than a few bites of a cupcake, I hadn’t eaten since breakfast.

  We drove to Bart’s Beef, way nicer than it sounded. Inside, the restaurant looked like an old time western bar and served the finest beef east, or west, of the Mississippi River. Not that I’d eaten in that many places, but I’d still be willing to bet on it.

  Matt asked for a table near the window that overlooked a small pond. Romantic. Maybe someday he’d take me there for a proposal. I ducked my head to hide a smile and spread my napkin in my lap. Six months wasn’t long enough to think of marriage, but at twenty-eight years old, I felt as if time was running out, and it wouldn’t be a hardship waking up next to Matt every morning.

  “Thank you for inviting me.” I twirled my water glass. “I needed the distraction.”

  “I think we both do.” He grabbed my free hand. “I’ve enjoyed being around you all the time. I’ll miss you when I return to work tomorrow.”

  “I’ll miss you, too.” While he struggled to solve other crimes, I’d be dwelling on my own case. Something had to crack soon. I gave myself a mental shake. No thinking of stalkers and murder. Not for a couple of hours, at least.

  I ordered a filet mignon, deciding to skip the blue cheese crust I usually ordered. I was planning ahead, hoping for a night of heavy kissing when Matt took me home. He ordered a T-bone. While we waited for the waitress to bring our orders, we talked of everything under the sun except my stalker, Cheryl, or Ms. Dillow.

  Still, something niggled at the back of my mind. Something I was missing. Maybe I was thinking about it too hard. If I relaxed, whatever the elusive fact was would present itself.

  “Dakota said Angela was out with Wayne. Did you talk to him?” I straightened as the waitress brought us our salads.

  “I did. He was stressed with work and didn’t want her to see him barking at everyone.” He stabbed a tomato. “Not a very good reason, but it seemed legit to him.”

  “I wish she’d find a good man. Someone like Ryan.”

  “Not many men better. Could she handle a bi-racial relationship?”

  “Angela can handle anything in long pants.” I grinned over the rim of my glass.

  He chuckled. “I suppose she probably can.”

  I glanced out the window, marveling at the moonlight on the pond. Sometimes, if a person were lucky, they could spot the swans gliding across the surface. Not tonight. Instead, the figure in the trench coat watched from the shadows. In their hand was a gun.

  “Matt!”

  He lunged across the table, dragging me from the booth and to the floor as the shot rang out. I grabbed my purse as the breath left my body.

  22

  We hi
t the floor in a shower of glass, sliding across the shards. Screams filled the air.

  “Stay down! Stay here.” Matt pushed against my shoulder, getting to his feet.

  Oh, no, he wasn’t. If he planned on going after the shooter, I had no intentions of staying behind. I struggled to my feet, doing my best to ignore the pain in my hands and knees. I’d worry about the damage to my body parts later.

  I sprinted after Matt, who shoved through the back door of the restaurant. I hadn’t known he’d brought his gun along, but seeing it clutched in his hand brought to my mind a measure of safety. I dug my pink nine millimeter out of my purse. I was beginning to wish it were Ms. Henley after me again. Except for the end, when I’d stumbled across her being the murderer, she’d basically left me alone. This person dogged my every step.

  “I should have known you wouldn’t listen.” Matt grabbed me and yanked me behind a bush.

  “Careful.” I winced. “I think I have enough glass poking in me to rival a porcupine.” I spotted a spreading stain on his bicep. “You’re bleeding!”

  “Hush.” He parted the branches. “I’ve lost ‘em.”

  I scanned the darkness as sirens wailed in the distance. If the shooter ditched the trench coat, he or she could be any one of the people converging on the scene. “I think they’re gone.”

  “I agree. Stay down and follow me.” Matt took my hand and we moved, using the bushes as coverage, toward the first patrol car to arrive.

  After handing me into the care of the paramedics, Matt pulled out his cell phone and called Ryan. I wished he would let the medics take a look at his arm before he turned all detective. If his wound hurt as much as the multiple pricks from cuts all over my arms and legs, he had to be in pain.

  I glanced at my knee as the medic pulled a rather large sliver of glass from my skin. Angela’s once beautiful dress was stained with my blood. Multiple rips left the hem in tatters. I didn’t need to worry about my stalker, my sister would kill me herself. I hissed as the medic sprayed antiseptic on my cuts. None of them seemed too serious, other than the one above my knee, which would require stitches.

  Another medic cut away Matt’s sleeve, revealing a nice little hole in his upper arm. My eyes widened right before I keeled over backward, striking my head on the door of the ambulance.

  I must not have been unconscious for long since I woke to find myself still in the parking lot of the restaurant. I stared up into the worried face of Matt. “Sorry,” I said. “I guess I haven’t quite gotten used to blood, especially mine.”

  He laughed. “You should be by now.” He cupped my face with one hand, his left arm being in a sling, and kissed me. “I’m fine. The bullet went all the way through. They’ve patched me up and given me a heavy dose of antibiotics. Other than being sore for a while, I’ll live. You’ll be tender for a few days yourself.”

  “I’m glad you’re sticking around. I’ve grown quite fond of you.” I hadn’t thought of myself at all when spotting the shooter’s gun. If Matt hadn’t gone across the table first, I would have done the same for him. Now, he carried a bullet hole in his sculpted arm. I wanted to strangle the person responsible.

  “I’m done here,” the paramedic said. “Do you want a ride to the hospital for your stitches?”

  I glanced at Matt, who shook his head. “I’ll drive us there,” he said.

  “I wouldn’t advise it, sir. You’re running on adrenaline right now, but when that wears off, you shouldn’t be behind the wheel of a car.”

  “I can drive.” I hopped off the end of the ambulance and gasped at the pain in my leg.

  “I’ll take care of them.” Ryan stepped around the side of the vehicle and scooped me in his arms. “Steele, you ready?”

  “Yep.” Matt thanked the paramedic and followed as Ryan’s long strides carried me quickly to his car. He set me gently into the back seat before opening the door for Matt.

  It might be against protocol, and the paramedics were probably deferring to Matt being a detective by allowing us to leave, but I was glad not to have an ambulance ride. Authors weren’t known for having good medical insurance. I rested my head against the seat back and closed my eyes, suddenly feeling every one of the glass cuts.

  “I’ve called your family,” Ryan said. “They’ll meet us at the hospital.”

  Wonderful. One more worry for Mom. She must be regretting moving in with me by now.

  Sure enough, the whole family met us outside the Emergency Room doors. I sighed and waited for Ryan to fetch a wheelchair, not wanting him to carry me in front of my sister. I still held out hopes the two would get together someday. I slid from the car and leaned against the side until he helped me into the chair.

  “Is that my new dress?” Angela scowled as Ryan wheeled me past. “It’s ruined. You owe me eighty-five dollars.”

  “Fine. I wanted something nice for my date, and you’ve seen my closet. It isn’t like I expected any of this to happen.”

  “You never do.” She tottered on high heels alongside of us, the black pencil skirt she wore making long strides impossible. She resembled some kind of crippled stork. How could anyone think that was sexy?

  “Now is not the time,” Mom said, taking the wheelchair from Ryan who went ahead to open the doors. “My baby is injured.”

  “This isn’t a rare occurrence, Mom!” Angela continued to trot beside us.

  “Maybe not, but she’s in pain. I can see it in her face. Matt, are you okay?”

  “He’s been shot, Mom,” I said, tears clogging my throat. Yes, I was in pain, but the fear of something happening to Matt overshadowed that.

  “Gracious.” Mom let go of the wheelchair and rushed to his side. “Let me help you.”

  I sat in the chair while the rest of my family hurried into the hospital. Seriously? “Hello?”

  “I really wish you had respect for my things,” Angela said, not skipping a beat as she hurried back to wheel me inside. “It’s always been this way. Since you were little, you’ve messed with my clothes or toys.”

  “You’ve never minded before.”

  “You haven’t ruined anything before.”

  “Point taken.” I should have asked before borrowing the dress.

  Matt and I, escorted by Ryan, were immediately led by a nurse to a private room with two beds. I was helped into one and Matt the other. From the firm set of his lips and the paleness of his usually tanned skin, I could tell the adrenaline was wearing off and pain setting in. I avoided glancing at his arm while a doctor patched him up and instead, concentrated on the stitches going into my knee and who knew I was having dinner with Matt that evening. I couldn’t think of anyone outside of my family and Ryan.

  Mary Ann and Dakota had watched a movie with Ryan. Angela had been on a date. Dakota was the only one I’d told about going out with Matt, and I hadn’t told him exactly where we were going, although in a town the size of Oak Meadows, it wasn’t hard to figure out. Cherokee had been on the phone. With a boy, Dakota had said. What boy and where had he been during the conversation? As far out there as it seemed, the only lead I had was my niece’s phone call.

  After having my knee stitched, my cuts cleaned for the second time, and Matt’s gunshot taken care of, we were both given pain medicine and sent home. I wanted to wait before taking one of the white pills, but when your body is on fire from millions of tiny cuts, sometimes you have to give in.

  Thirty minutes later, I was in my pajamas on the sofa feeling warm and fuzzy beside Matt. My family sat around us, watching us as if we were going to die on them at any moment. Mary Ann, after seeing that we were all right, had headed to bed.

  “What?” I asked.

  “We’re worried about you.” Mom folded her hands in her lap. “You’ve been injured and yet you sit there with a maniacal grin on your face. It isn’t natural.”

  “That would be the pain meds, Mom.” I giggled. “But I do have a question for Cherokee. Who was the boy you were talking to on the phone when I left?”


  “Skip. Why?”

  “Skip?” His name struck me as funny and my giggles increased.

  Matt looked at me in alarm, then laughed along with me. Oh, Lord, don’t let the shooter come after us now. We were as defenseless as a couple of mental patients.

  “Where was he when you talked to him?”

  “The park.” She drew the words out slowly, as if by doing so I could understand her language. “By the library.”

  “Ah ha!” I finger stabbed the sky. “Ms. Dillow is my stalker. It’s elementary, my dear Mr. Watson.”

  “Don’t accuse people without proof.” Ryan handed me a bottle of water. “I think you need to dilute your meds.”

  “It makes sense.” I fumbled with the bottle cap, finally unscrewing it and dumping half the water in my lap. “Now it looks like I wet myself.”

  “Makes sense how, honey?” Mom took the bottle from me.

  “The boy, Chip, was by the library. Ms. Dillow works at the library.” Why couldn’t they see this? “It was Ms. Dillow, in the library, with the revolver.” I laughed so hard I fell over and almost rolled off the sofa. “It’s simple deductive reasoning.”

  “Makes sense to me.” Matt upended a water bottle of his own, except most of his made it in his mouth. “Ryan?”

  “My boyfriend’s name is Skip.” Cherokee stormed from the room.

  “I’ll check into it,” Ryan said. “See whether the librarian has an alibi. I’ll question Cheryl, too. Word around town is that she’s plenty upset with Stormi and plans to get even for Stormi ruining her life.”

  Killing me would definitely have ruined my life. “Check the closets of everyone in town. Someone owns that trench coat.”

  “Sure thing.” Ryan grinned. “Anything else?”

  I sat up, clutching a sofa pillow to my stomach and chewed the inside of my cheek. “No … I think that’s it. Things are a bit fuzzy right now. Matt, did you notice anything about the shooter?”

  “They had a gun.”

  “I’m being serious.” I hit him with the pillow.

  “They wore a trench coat, a hat like Dick Tracy would wear, pulled low over their eyes, and gym shoes. Whoever it was could run, and they knew the layout of the area around the lake. It could be anyone.”