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

“You know I’m happy to keep your name on people’s lips, but for what it’s worth, I think you’re doing a smart thing.”
    “Moving back in with my mother like a loser?”
    “That’s temporary,” Beatrice said dismissively. “You’re building a new life for yourself with a firm foundation. You’d never have that here, no matter how successful you were. You’d always worry and wonder when the roles would dry up. When they did, what would you do at forty years old with no other work experience?”
    Kit pressed her lips together. “Are you saying I should give up? Not try to make a comeback?”
    “Of course not,” Beatrice scolded her. “I would never say that. I want what you want. Not for nothing, but I only make money if you make a comeback.”
    “You’re a patient woman then,” Kit said.
    “Damn right I am. Plus, I happen to adore you. That makes me more patient than I might be otherwise.”
    Kit felt a rush of affection for her agent. “Thanks, Beatrice. You’re the best.”
    “Now go find a rich husband who can buy you a production company.”
    Kit groaned and tucked her phone away in her handbag. Like her mother, Beatrice was best in small doses.
     
    Kit sat in a small classroom in Hampshire Hall for the Introduction to Psychology seminar. In addition to their lectures, the students broke into smaller groups for an hour-long seminar each week. Kit had been relieved to discover that she’d be in the same seminar group as Francie and Charlotte. She’d been disappointed, however, that the seminar would be run by Josh Hardgrave, the teaching assistant, rather than Professor Wentworth. Aside from his general unpleasant disposition, Josh seemed to have a bee in his bonnet about Kit. Probably because she’d turned him down for a date when she was sixteen. Some people could really hold a grudge.
    She kept her phone inside her notebook so that she could access incoming text messages. She didn’t want to miss any developments in the case. When she saw Romeo’s name flash on her screen, she jumped in her seat.
    “Ants in your pants, Miss Wilder?” Josh inquired with a smirk.
    “Sorry, my leg fell asleep,” she replied. “And at the rate we’re going, the rest of me is sure to follow.”
    Other students giggled and Josh’s face reddened. “This is a seminar where we have in-depth discussions on a given topic. Perhaps if you focus on what we’re doing instead of the phone hidden in your notebook, you might be less inclined to take a nap.”
    Kit closed the notebook, her gaze never wavering from Josh. “Okay, Josh. Let’s discuss.”
    The discussion consisted mainly of Josh’s thoughts on common myths about psychology with a few brave voices wading into the conversation on occasion. Kit vividly remembered how much Josh liked the sound of his own voice. It was the primary reason she’d rejected his advances. Guys like Josh were a dime a dozen in Westdale and, unfortunately, the guys in Los Angeles weren’t much better. That was probably why she was drawn to Romeo. He was nothing like Josh Hardgrave or Charlie Owen.
    At the end of the seminar, she threw her notebook into her tote bag and rushed out the door. She was chomping at the bit to read Romeo’s text.
    Francie and Charlotte found her leaning against the wall, hunched over her phone.
    “They think they found the owner of the muscle car,” Kit told them. She’d updated them on the investigation last night on FaceTime. Francie and Charlotte seemed to be joined at the hip, which was convenient for Kit. She never had to say anything twice.
    “Someone local?” Charlotte asked.
    “No way,” Francie replied. “I’ll bet it’s drugs.”
    Kit scanned the message. “His name is Vincent Delfino. Apparently, he’s a bookie.”
    “Gambling,” Francie corrected herself. “Close enough.”
    “Romeo says he frequents a couple of bars in Eastdale.”
    “Which ones?” Francie asked eagerly. “We should go check him out. That would be