A Tail of Two Murders: A Wayside Bay Mystery by Reida Kenzington

Author:Reida Kenzington [Kenzington, Reida]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: cozy, dog, "dog groomer", coffee, Crime, food, beach
Publisher: Reida Kenzington
Published: 2020-07-15T16:00:00+00:00

•Chapter Twelve

AFTER A QUICK WALK down the block to Mabel’s Prius and with Mrs. Smith securely seat belted in the front, we headed to the Portland Airport.

Mabel and Mrs. Smith chatted about the weather, the traffic, and how beautiful the memorial service was, while I listened in the back. Finally, Mabel steered the conversation to Lana.

“So Mrs. Smith,” Mabel said, “tell me about Lana.”

About time, sheesh.

Mrs. Smith didn’t respond as she gazed out the window.

“Mrs. Smith?” I said.

She lowered her head. “She was my daughter.” Mrs. Smith’s response was barely audible. Mabel’s mouth dropped open, and she almost swerved off the road. I’m sure my expression was the same.

Mabel regained control of the car and herself.

“I’m so sorry for your loss,” Mabel said. “Rick is your son-in-law then?” Mrs. Smith nodded.

I couldn’t stand it anymore and squeezed in between the two front seats. “Mrs. Smith, why don’t you just tell us what’s going on? Please.”

Mrs. Smith let out a heavy sigh. “Laura—or Lana—was my beautiful daughter.” She paused. “Whew, that felt good to get out.”

Mabel shot me a look in the rear-view. I shrugged, confused. Was she even telling the truth? Mabel pulled over and shut off the engine.

“Mrs. Smith, are you okay? Do you need some water? Charlie, I have bottled water back there somewhere,” Mabel rambled. I found the water bottles and passed one up.

Mrs. Smith began to sob so hard I was afraid she’d hurt herself. Naturally, Mabel sobbed in unison with Mrs. Smith. Myself, I held it together. Barely.

In the tiny car, Mabel embraced Mrs. Smith. Another minute passed before Mrs. Smith calmed. She dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. “Rick is a vile man,” she spat. He took away my Laura,” she hissed. She paused and then said, “I may as well tell you the whole story. You’ll find out eventually. Rick’s name was Roger, Roger Campbell,” Mrs. Smith said.

I squeezed up between the seats again. “Wait, what? They changed their names?”

“Yes. That was Roger’s idea.” She flipped down the visor and checked her face in the mirror. “Oh, I look a fright! I’m so sorry. I don’t usually take rides with strange women and break down crying,” she said. She smoothed a wisp of hair behind her ear.

“Don’t worry about that,” Mabel said as she took tissues from the dashboard and handed me a couple.

Mrs. Smith flipped up the mirror. “Roger and Laura lived in Arlington, Virginia, until Roger embezzled money from the financial investment firm he worked for. He had a huge gambling problem. Someone at his company turned him in and he went to prison for 14 months. Laura waited for him even though I tried and tried to convince her to leave him. She said he had changed. They were going to have children when he got out.”

I couldn’t believe it. Rick slash Roger was an outright criminal, had served time even.

Mrs. Smith continued. “After he was released and couldn’t get a job, Roger began gambling again, but not with Laura’s money.

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