A Dead End (A Saints & Strangers Cozy Mystery Book 1) by Keeley Bates Page B

power muscles here. Harley and Jamison don’t want the Pilgrim Society coming down on them for not solving the murder right away. If they upset the wrong people, they’d get fired.”
    “Fine. Maybe I’ll let them join my team over at the storage unit,” he grumbled.
    “The one with Ernie’s things?”
    Romeo nodded. “My guys have been searching for any evidence they can find.”
    “Like a murder weapon?”
    “Anything. Evidence of a struggle. Blood stains. You name it, but that unit is chock full of junk.”
    “That might be the thing to keep the Tweedle twins busy then.”
    “So explain this Pilgrim Society to me,” Romeo said, resting an elbow on the wooden mantle. “Why do people think they’re better than everyone else because of sharing a little DNA with someone hundreds of years before their time?”
    “Why are you so proud of your Italian heritage?” Kit shot back. “It’s the same idea.”
    “Somebody’s defensive considering the way she rolls her eyes at the mere mention of Mayflower or Pilgrims.”
    He was right. Kit was being defensive, but the Mayflower descendants were her people, like it or not. She’d defend them to anyone, despite her personal feelings on the subject. That was just her way.
    “These social events are an excuse to parade around and feel superior,” Kit explained. “Like your Columbus Day parade or whatever it is your people do.”
    Romeo suppressed a grin. “My people tend to talk loudly and gesticulate.”
    “My people talk softly, mainly idle gossip or, if it’s a pissing contest, about the wings of hospitals that have recently been named for them.”
    Romeo inclined his head. “They do gossip at these meetings, don’t they?”
    “Of course. It’s in the by-laws.”
    “Are you allowed to bring a guest?” he asked, his dark brown eyes glimmering in the subdued light.
    “Is this your way of angling for a date?” Kit asked.
    “It’s my way of angling for inside information,” he replied.
    Kit felt like a complete idiot. Of course that was the reason. As usual, his interest in her had nothing to do with the pleasure of her company.
    “Well, I’m sorry to tell you that attendance is by invitation only and you need to be a bonafide descendant.”
    “So even if I had proof of a Pilgrim ancestor, I’d still need a special invitation?”
    Kit shrugged. “It’s a selective group, what can I tell you?”
    He leaned closer, his soft breath warming the curve of her neck. “You can tell me if anyone discusses the bones found in your house. Anyone who sounds like they know more than they should.”
    Kit’s eyes widened. “I was kidding. No way am I going to one of these meetings. I hate all of that. I left here to get away from it.”
    “But now you’re back,” Romeo said pointedly. “And I assume you want to move back into your new house as quickly as possible, right?”
    Kit’s hands flew to her hips. “Are you blackmailing me, Officer Moretti?”
    “It’s Detective,” he corrected her. “And it’s not blackmail. I’m simply suggesting that the sooner we close this case, the sooner you get to put a few beautifully manicured lawns between you and your Mayflower Mama.”
    Kit crossed her arms like a petulant child. One meeting. What harm could it do?
    “Fine, I’ll go,” she huffed.
    “Great,” he said. “Call me when it finishes and I’ll meet you at Provincetown Pancakes for a debrief.”
    Kit raised her eyebrows. “Your usual hangout?”
    He winked. “Who doesn’t love a good short stack?”
    Kit tried not to think about the amount of carbs and sugar involved in any dish at Provincetown Pancakes. She’d order a peppermint tea and then be on her way.
    “Oh and Kit,” he called as she turned to leave. “Turn off the location feature on your Instagram and Twitter accounts. It’s fine to offer a running commentary at the nail salon, but we don’t need the world knowing about our rendezvous.”
    Kit’s cheeks flamed and she stalked