A Fishy Dish (A Hooked & Cooked Cozy Mystery Series Book 3) by Lyndsey Cole Page A

I’ve had to endure ever since Sally disappeared. Everyone has a theory, of course, and they all think Matt is to blame.” She turned to face Hannah. Tears leaked from the edge of her eyes. She quickly wiped them away with the back of her hand.
    “Do you think Matt did kill Gavin Abbott?”
    Leah’s eyes blinked rapidly as if that might stop the floodgates. “I don’t think anymore. My mind is numb.”
    Hannah took Leah’s arm, helping her to sit. She faced her with their knees almost touching. “Can I ask you a question?”
    Leah nodded.
    “What happened between Gavin and Matt? Not last night at the restaurant, but in the past?”
    Leah let out a long sigh. “A long time ago, before Matt and I got married, Gavin dated Matt’s sister. Something happened. There was some kind of financial settlement and she left town. He never shared the details.”
    Was that the story Sean referred to last night, Hannah wondered.
    “Gavin also left town and, to be completely honest, I wish he never came back to Hooks Harbor.”
    Hannah felt her heart lurch. Was Gavin in the wrong place at the wrong time last night? Or was he involved with Sally’s disappearance and someone planned his murder? “But Sally took a job at the restaurant. Did she know the history?”
    Leah shook her head. “Matt would never talk about his sister. Ever. As far as I know, he’s never heard from her in all these years. But he never forgot about her.” She stared into Hannah’s eyes. “He almost lost it when Sally took the job working for Gavin. It was all I could do to keep him from confronting Gavin then.” She flicked her hand. “I told him Sally was old enough to make her own decisions. I didn’t really believe it myself but I had to try anything to convince Matt to stay away from Gavin. Besides, forbidding her to work at The Chowder House would only push her farther away from us. Gavin agreed but maybe he was only biding his time.”
    The office door opened. “Just who I’m looking for,” Deputy Pam Larson said in a not particularly friendly tone.
    Hannah stood up and placed herself between Leah and Pam.
    Pam pushed Hannah aside. “No. I’m not looking for you, believe it or not. I’d like a word with Mrs. White. And Mr. White if he’s here, too?”
    Hannah glanced at Leah. Her body was rigid in the chair. Her hands were clasped together so tightly, her knuckles drained of color.
    “Well?” Pam said, her eyebrows raised in question.
    Leah straightened. “Matt isn’t here,” her voice squeaked a response.
    “Where is he?” Pam demanded.
    Leah shrugged. “He left this morning.”
    “What about last night? After you two left The Chowder House?”
    “We came here.” Hannah knew it wasn’t the complete answer but, technically, Leah did answer Pam’s question.
    “Is that so? I have a witness that says they saw your husband in his car behind The Chowder House. Before Gavin Abbott’s body was found.”
    Leah gasped. Her hand covered her mouth. “He left me here. I don’t know where he went.”
    Pam checked her notebook, flipped some pages, and jotted down some new information. “When he comes back, tell him to see me at the police station.” Pam handed a card to Leah. “It’s in his best interested to come in voluntarily.”
    “What are you insinuating, Pam?” Hannah blurted out.
    “I’m not insinuating anything, Ms. Holiday. I work with facts, and be thankful we didn’t find your prints on the murder weapon.”
    “Matt’s fingerprints were on the murder weapon?” Leah asked in one exhale of words.
    “I didn’t say that, either. Please,” Pam softened her tone slightly, “ask him to come talk to me.”
    “Aunt Hannah! Where’s Nellie?” The excited voice of Hannah’s six-year-old niece interrupted the adults as she ran into the office.
    Jack entered right behind Olivia. “Oh. Sorry. I didn’t know we were interrupting something. Good morning, Pam. How’s Chef Belair holding up in jail? Are you sure you