Framed for Murder

by Cathy Spencer

  Chapter 29

  I was restless for the remainder of the day. I tried picking up an Agatha Christie mystery, but put it down again after a quarter of an hour. Having lived through the real thing, I knew that a murder investigation isn’t anything like the way it’s depicted in a novel. An amateur doesn’t have the knowhow or the resources to outsmart the police. It had taken a professional to make the breakthrough in Jack’s case. All I had done was flounder around and get in Tremaine’s way. Well, it had been an education, and now the investigation was over and I could get back to my life. Only, my old life didn’t seem so appealing anymore, which was perplexing. I still had everything I had had a month ago, but now it didn’t seem like enough. The thought of work, once-a-month book club meetings, and Friday suppers with Ben just made me feel depressed. What was wrong with me? By early evening I was toying with the idea of going out for a drive just to get out of the house.

  Before I could go anywhere, however, the doorbell rang. I opened the door and found Tremaine standing there, dressed more casually than I had ever seen him in jeans and a green cotton shirt. It looked really good on him.

  “Hi Anna,” he said, looking serious. “I’ve come to say goodbye. I’ve been assigned to a new case in Vancouver, so I’ll be gone until they fly me back for the trial.”

  “I know.”

  “Let me guess. It’s Saturday. You saw Steve at The Diner.”

  “That’s right.”

  “That man tells you too much.”

  “Don’t pick on him, Tremaine. Steve’s a good friend. I would have gone crazy during the investigation if it hadn’t been for him.”

  Tremaine’s eyes flickered. “May I come in for a moment?” he asked.

  “Oh, sure. Sorry.”

  I opened the door wide and Tremaine walked past me into the house. I closed the door and rested my forehead against it, trying to compose myself before facing him. I hadn’t counted on having to say goodbye.

  I turned around and bumped into him; he was standing right behind me. One of his arms encircled my waist, and he pulled me in and kissed me. I stiffened in surprise. Then he backed me against the door and really leaned into it. It was a pretty effective kiss, and I began to react. He released me after several seconds and stared into my face, his grey eyes no longer cool. I felt my stomach rock, and then his mouth was back on mine with mounting pressure. I forgot my concern about the disparity in our ages and began to get pretty enthusiastic myself. When his mouth broke free, I discovered that I had welded myself to his body.

  “Listen,” he said, breathing raggedly and putting a little space between us, “this next case is going to keep me busy for a couple of months, but then I have some holiday time coming up. If I were to come back to Crane, how would you feel about spending that time with me?”

  “You really mean it?” I said, squealing like a teenage girl. It wasn’t my fault. It had been a long time since a desirable man had kissed me, and I was rusty.

  “I must be nuts,” he said. “Since being around you, I’ve landed in the hospital twice. I’m usually smarter than that, but when you’re around, I can’t seem to concentrate. You’re stubborn and reckless and crazy, Anna Nolan, and I can’t seem to get enough of you. So, can I come back and visit you?”

  “Uh huh,” I said, smiling broadly and closing the distance between us.

  THE END

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for reading Framed for Murder, the first book in the Anna Nolan series. I hope you enjoyed it. Now, if you have a minute, would you do me a favour? Reviews are a huge part of marketing in our electronic era, so won’t you please take a moment to help other readers discover my books by leaving a review with your favourite retailer? Here’s a direct link to my website, where you can find my books. And if you’d like to hear about new releases, please drop me a note with the “Contact Cathy” app to the right of the page. I love hearing from my readers.

  Thank you! I truly appreciate it. – Cathy Spencer

  Town Haunts Preview

  Don’t miss Town Haunts, the second book in the Anna Nolan series. Here’s an excerpt.