Adventures In Murder Chasing (Funeral Crashing #3) by Milda Harris Page B

potential murderer? What was wrong with me? She was really wrecked over Gabe's death. You could tell.
    "It'll be okay...eventually," I said. "I've lost someone I really cared about too."
    Layla nodded, "Thanks. I feel like most people just don't get it. It was like he was here one day and gone the next. It's really hard. I just don't understand what happened."
    I touched her shoulder, "Sometimes there is no reason."
    "But there should be," Layla said, suddenly looking mad instead of sad.
    I felt that way too. It's why I wanted Gabe to be murdered. There was no reason that he should have been taken away so young. I felt the need to comfort Layla, though.
    "Sometimes life is just sad," I said, trying to help her as best as I could. "Just... Well, try and get through it as best as you can. Gabe would want you to, right?"
    "Yeah, he would," Layla said, swiping another tear from her eyes. "Thanks."
    "You're welcome," I said. "I, uh, I have to go to the bathroom, so..."
    "Oh. Sorry," Layla said. "Go for it."
    "Yeah," I said. "Feel better."
    Then I walked past Layla, at a slower rate, toward the bathroom. My wig fell askew. I tried to put it back onto my head, but it kept falling with every step. How mortifying. I was glad that there were only a few other people in the hallway. I'd have to really fix the wig once I got into the bathroom. Still, I didn't really care. My brain felt muddled. There was too much going on. There were two deaths at way too young ages and I felt stuck in the middle. I now wished I could help Layla, but Gabe's death was due to natural causes. She was going to have to get over his death with the help of her family and friends. She didn't need my help. Besides, I was still helping Troy learn more about Nico's death. I only had so much time.
    I walked into the bathroom and locked myself into the stall. I didn't even fix my hair first. Finally I had a few minutes of quiet. I didn't even have to go to the bathroom. I just wanted to think. Okay. Breathe.
    My phone beeped, startling me. I pulled my phone out of my pocket. It was a text from Troy: Leaving for the Pie Shop. See you there.
    Seriously? It seemed that I couldn't take a break from murder investigating for thirty seconds even if I wanted. I took a deep breath, exhaled, and texted Troy back: Leaving now too.
     
     
     

Chapter 7: Pie Eating
     
    Troy was already waiting for Ethan and I at The Pie Shop when we got there. Ethan and I had taken our time saying goodbye to Suzie and Kyle. I mostly didn't want them to think I was weird for running off to the bathroom in the middle of a conversation. They didn't seem to think it was weird at all. Well, they didn't say anything at least. Maybe they hadn't noticed. Still, I hadn't meant to make Troy wait. It looked like he had already eaten a slice of pie, from the crumb filled empty desert plate next to him, and was on seconds.
    "The pie here is great!" Troy said as we sat down across from him. "How did I not know about this place?"
    "The pie's alright," Ethan said, opening his menu. "Personally, though, I like their burgers."
    "Which pie did you get?" I asked Troy, opening my menu too.
    "I had the coconut crème," Troy said. "I think I'm going to have a slice of apple too. That's classic pie."
    I nodded. I was getting pie too. I actually agreed with Troy on the whole pie thing. Their chocolate peanut butter pie was super yummy. Yeah, I definitely had a thing for peanut butter. The waitress came by to take our orders and then it was time to get down to business. Besides, working on the case made me forget to focus on the mouthwatering pie that was coming my way.
    "So, Troy, tell us what you know," I said, as soon as the waitress walked away.
    Troy took a deep breath, "Well, like I said Nico and I went to high school together. We were good friends."
    "And..." I said because Troy didn't continue on and we needed a little more information than that.
    I knew Troy probably didn't know where to start. I mean, maybe he