A Friend of Silence by M. Lee Prescott

Author:M. Lee Prescott [Prescott, M. Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780985561444
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 35

Two hours in the woods had cleared her head and Bess felt better, ready to face the crisis head-on. If she could survive Mac’s death, she could certainly survive this nonsense. As she came up the walkway, she heard the phone ringing. She ran to answer, breathless as she picked up.

“Hey girl, it’s me. You okay?”

“Janie? Hi, of course, I’m alright, why?”

“Well, for one thing, you sound terrible. Then, there’s the matter of you tearing out of school like you were at the Indy 500. Peter’s worried about you.”

“Whatever for?”

“My darling, I’ve heard the rumors and so has he. Wanta talk about it?”

“Oh, God Janie, I want to crawl into a hole and never come out. At least not until they find Milt’s killer and Harry Winthrop is several continents away.”

“Don’t be an ass. For goodness sakes, Bess! It’s not as bad as all that. Besides, your Mr. Winthrop’s not going anywhere. When I was waiting my turn to speak to him, I overheard him telling Will McGuire that’d he planned to stay on in Old Harbor after the investigation.”

“You spoke to him?”

“My dear Bess, practically everyone’s spoken to him. He’s investigating us, remember? He’s been all over campus today, asking questions, getting to know people, peering into every nook and cranny. I tell you, if your Mr. Winthrop doesn’t find the murderer, no one can.”

“He is not my Mr. Winthrop!”

“Sorry. Anyway, he’s making the rounds. Awful cute, isn’t he? Has all the women swooning, making complete asses of themselves.”

“Myself included, apparently.”

“Don’t be silly. I’m talking batting eyelashes and ludicrous come-ons. Enough to make a hooker blush. That’s not your style. And, he’s got the kids eating right out of his hand. I thought Amy Flathers was gonna faint dead away in his arms. What I observed today was blatant, uncensored flirtation, not the passionate romance you seem to already have.”

“Oh for pete’s sake!”

“Kidding, just kidding. Don’t get all worked up. He’s a nice guy, Bess. You could do worse, you know. And it’s a nice change from Detective Demaris. You have to admit, Roger is a touch gloomy.”

She sighed. “Oh, please. Don’t let’s start in on poor Roger.” Much as she loved Jane, she couldn’t listen to another word.

“Want me to come over?”

“No.”

“How ‘bout if we meet at Pop’s for supper?” Jane asked, referring to Pop’s Diner in the village.

“No thanks, I just want to be alone.”

“Sweetie, do you think that’s wise? I don’t like the way you sound. Why don’t I just pop over and bring a pizza?”

“I’m fine, Jane, really. Just tell me one thing. What exactly did you hear today? About me and Mr. Winthrop?”

“Very little beyond the fact that he spent the night.”

“Spent the night! Oh really, this is unbelievable.”

“Bess, I knew it wasn’t true. Everyone did, but you know how people love a good story. And, look on the bright side. This is a whole new image for you.”

“That is not funny.”

“Sorry, look, hon.”

“Jane, I’ve gotta go. The doorbell’s ringing.”

“Call me?”

Careful not to

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