Black and Blueberry Die (A Fresh-Baked Mystery Book 11) by Livia J. Washburn Page A

barred in what they talked about.”
    Phyllis laughed and said, “Goodness gracious, no. There’s something about that atmosphere that makes women say things they probably wouldn’t in other surroundings.”
    “Gossip, in other words.”
    “Of course. But gossip implies that you’re talking about somebody else. I’ve heard women admit things about themselves that would almost make your jaw drop. There aren’t many secrets in a beauty shop, that’s for sure.”
    “I reckon a fancy salon is the same way.” Sam grinned. “Just a little more genteel.”
    “I wouldn’t be a bit surprised,” Phyllis said.
    When they got home, Carolyn was preparing chicken stuffed jalapeño poppers for supper. While Sam went into the backyard to spend some time with Buck, Phyllis started putting together avocado salad to go with them. The two of them had worked together in this kitchen long enough that they knew instinctively how to stay out of each other’s way.
    “Did you find out anything?” Carolyn asked.
    “Not really, not yet. But I haven’t had a chance to talk to anyone where Roxanne worked except a couple of people.” Phyllis summed up the visit to Paul’s Beauty Salon, as she had for Sam earlier, concluding, “I plan to ask Danny how she got along with everyone else there.”
    Carolyn turned to look at her with something approaching horror on her face.
    “You’re going to see him?” she asked.
    “That’s right.”
    “In jail ?”
    With a faint smile, Phyllis said, “It won’t be the first time I’ve visited someone in jail, will it? In fact, if you recall, I’ve spent some time behind bars myself.”
    “Oh, I remember, all right. That whole thing was ridiculous. What was the district attorney thinking?”
    “That I had concealed evidence and obstructed justice. Which I sort of had, I suppose. Not the obstructing justice part, though. I was trying to see that justice was done. That’s true here, too.”
    “Yes, but Danny Jackson is a convicted murderer.”
    “Convicted, but possibly not guilty.”
    “In the eyes of the law, he is. But the main thing that concerns me is you’ll be going over to Fort Worth to see him. Tarrant County isn’t Parker County, Phyllis.”
    “Well, no. But Parker County isn’t what it used to be, either. It’s a lot more crowded than it used to be, and Mike says the crime is steadily getting worse. But I’ll have Sam with me, and probably Mr. D’Angelo, too, so I don’t think I have anything to worry about.”
    “An old man and a fat little lawyer. Yes, I’m sure they’ll be able to handle anything that comes up.”
    Phyllis didn’t see any point in continuing this line of discussion, so she changed the subject by saying, “How are you coming along with the recipe you’re going to send in for the magazine contest?”
    “It’s getting there,” Carolyn said. “I should have something for you to sample in another day or two.”
    “I’m looking forward to it. I don’t suppose you want to give me a hint what it is?”
    Carolyn smiled, shook her head, and said, “No, I don’t.”
    That made Phyllis laugh, and murderers and jail visits were forgotten for the moment.
    ••●••
    Jimmy D’Angelo called after supper.
    “We’re seeing Danny at 10:30 tomorrow morning,” he said. “Just you and me, though. I’m afraid Sam won’t be able to go along. Well, he can come with you, but he’ll have to wait in the jail lobby.”
    “All right, if that’s the way it has to be,” Phyllis said, although she was disappointed by that part of D’Angelo’s news. She always liked having Sam around, and sometimes he noticed things that she didn’t. She had a good memory, though, and would fill him in on everything that was said after the interview with Danny Jackson.
    “Just remember, carry as little metal as possible, and no weapons.”
    “Don’t worry, I won’t pack heat,” Phyllis said with a laugh.
    Metal detectors were everywhere these days. You couldn’t