Alex Erickson - Death by CafГ© Mocha

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Table of Contents

Books by Alex Erickson

Bookstore Caf Mysteries
DEATH BY COFFEE
DEATH BY TEA
DEATH BY PUMPKIN SPICE
DEATH BY VANILLA LATTE
DEATH BY EGGNOG
DEATH BY ESPRESSO
DEATH BY CAF MOCHA

Furever Pets Mysteries
THE POMERANIAN ALWAYS BARKS TWICE

Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation

Chapter 1

M y luggage felt as if someone had loaded bricks into it by the time I reached the front of the line. Huffing and puffing, I dragged it the last few feet and leaned it against the counter, where a smiling clerk waited.

Hi, I said, rubbing at my aching shoulder. I have a reservation. It should be under Krissy Hancock.

One moment. The clerk behind the counter typed my name into the computer with an energetic click-clack. He was humming a tune under his breath and genuinely looked as if he enjoyed his job. He also looked to only be about twenty years old, so it was likely that would change in time.

While he looked me up, I glanced around at the hotel lobby. It was packed with guests, many just arriving, as I was.

Im sorry, maam, but we do not have a reservation under that name.

Oh. Mild worry welled in my gut. Try Vicki Patterr, Lawyer. I shook my head, trying to dislodge my best friends maiden name from my mind. It had been almost a year since shed gotten married, and yet I still kept forgetting. Vicki Lawyer. She made the reservations and might have put them under her name. Though she had told me shed made them under my name, as Id requested. The hotel was my treat. Shed paid for the convention badges for all three of us, so it only seemed right.

And yes, I did mean three.

Oh, Lordy Lou! Would you look at that!

I glanced back to find Rita Jablonksi looking up at the hotel elevator. Even though she was short and stocky, her presence practically filled the room, as did her voice.

Theres fifteen floors to this place!

Fifteen floors were a lot, but not so many I thought they deserved such a loud and boisterous exclamation. But that was Rita for you. Everything was loud and boisterous, and often exaggerated to the point of disbelief.

Im sorry, I still cant find it, the clerk said.

Im sure it has to be there. The worry tried to bubble up into a full-on storm of panic. I mentally stomped it flat. We made the reservations over two months ago. Were going to JavaCon.

Im sorry. The clerk didnt look sorry at all. He looked annoyed. So much for his chipper mood.

But I... My mind raced. JavaCon was in its first year, yet it had sold out within a month of registration going live, likely thanks to all the social media advertising they had done. People really liked their coffee, and they obviously preferred staying in the hotel connected to the convention center, much like I did. The hotel was booked solid, and another con was happening downtown, meaning if our registration had somehow gotten lost, wed have nowhere to stay.

Is there something wrong with the reservation?

I breathed a sigh of relief as Vicki joined me. Even after our long drive, she looked perfect. Not a single hair was out of place. The clerks eyes widened briefly and he stood up straighter. If he didnt close his mouth soon, hed end up drooling all over himself.

He cant find it, I said. I tried both our names, but he says its not there.

If you have the confirmation email, it would help, the clerk said, never taking his eyes off Vicki.

Sure. Vicki whipped out her phone and brought up her email app. Ive got this, Krissy, if you want to keep an eye on Rita. She shot a look at the woman in question, who was now running her hand along the back of a lobby couch, oohing and aahing, much to the annoyance of the people sitting on said couch.

Thanks, I said as I grabbed my suitcase. I dont typically do well around a lot of people, and with an impatient line behind me and only three clerks working behind the desk, I was feeling especially out of my depth.

My things in hand, I backed away from the desk to give Vicki room.

Oof! A heavy thump and a clatter accompanied the sound as I collided into the person whod been standing behind me.

Oh my gosh! I said, spinning. Already, a red ring of embarrassment was working its way up my neck to color my face. Im so sorry!

The man staggered back a step and nearly bumped into the woman behind him. He was tall, with dark hair combed back from a rather attractive face. I fully expected him to yell at me, but instead, he broke into a wide, chagrined smile.

Im sure it was my fault, he said, voice tinged with a hint of an accent I couldnt place. Had my nose in my phone and was probably standing too close.

There wasnt a phone in his hand. After a quick glance around, I found it lying on the floor at my feet.

He bent down and picked it up before I could do so myself. He glanced at the screen briefly before shoving the phone into his pocket.

Did I break it? I asked as he righted his luggage, which had been the source of the thump that had accompanied his phones clatter on the hard tile.

Not a scratch, he said, patting his pocket. Are you okay? You seem flustered.

Flustered? Me? I brushed my hand through my hair and tried on a smile. I didnt even want to know what I looked like after spending the last five hours in a car. Just a little trouble with our reservations, I said. My friend is working it out.

He glanced past me to Vicki before nodding. Are you here for JavaCon?

For some reason, my heart gave a little leap at the question. We are.

Me too. He reached out a hand. Thomas Cole.

I shook. His handshake was firm, yet surprisingly soft at the same time. Krissy Hancock.

May I help whos next?

Thomas gathered his luggage. Thats me, he said. I hope to see you around, Krissy.

You too, Thomas.

I watched as he sauntered up to the counter to check in. I had to admit, it wasnt an entirely unpleasant sight, considering the tight jeans he was wearing.

Not that I was looking, mind you.

Okay, maybe I was a little, but it wasnt like I was in the market for a new boyfriend. I hadnt been single for that long, all things considered. I needed a mental break from all the distractions relationships caused. This trip was supposed to be all business, and darn it, I was going to make sure it stayed that way.

You could bounce a Ping-Pong ball off those cheeks, Rita said into my ear.

I nearly leapt from my shoes as I spun on her. Dont do that! I said. And keep your voice down. He might hear.

She was grinning, a mischievous gleam to her eye. So what if he does? Its not like youre seeing anyone. Honestly, dear, it might be good for you to loosen up a bit. The way I hear it, youve been so tense lately, people are starting to talk.

Talk about what? I asked.

The look on Ritas face told me everything I needed to know. Honestly, I wasnt sure how my sex lifeor lack thereofwas anyones business.

Genuinely flustered, and a whole lot embarrassed, I fumbled for my phone. Stay here and watch my bag, I said. I need to make a call.

Rita nodded and turned back to admire Thomass backside some more.

She can have him, I thought as I walked across the room to the far corner, where it was quieter. As I said, I wasnt in the market, and it wasnt like there could be anything between us even if I was. As far as I knew, he lived halfway across the country from Pine Hills, the small town in Ohio where I lived. There was no way I was going to entertain thoughts of a long-distance relationship.

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