Admit to Mayhem: Lillian Dove Mystery (Book One) by D. J. Adamson

Author:D. J. Adamson [Adamson, D. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General Fiction
Publisher: Horatio Press
Published: 2014-08-25T04:00:00+00:00

***

Margaret Dillard was dressed in a navy blue dress with a Peter Pan collar, a style of yesterday. White kid gloves with small pearls at the wrists covered her hands. She carried a large, black, shiny purse. “Please call me Meg,” she said. “Everyone does.” She sat primly, taking her eyes off Bobby Bowen only to quickly glance back at Pike.

I glanced over at Tim, who looked as puzzled as I was. Chief Simms, however, had an entirely different expression. Shock? Surprise? Dazed? Disgruntled? Whatever, he wasn’t happy.

“I am so sorry about your loss,” Bobby said to Meg, making it sound as if the Dillard fire had happened yesterday instead of sixty years ago. “I understand you have never appeared in public. That is, until today,” he emphasized the word today, his show, “many thought you were killed in the fire.”

She nodded and glanced back at Pike. Or was it Chief Simms? The two were standing uncomfortably next to each.

Bobby said, “We’re grateful for Mr. Pike’s help in locating you. I understand he is your half-brother?”

“Yes. He is my brother.” Her voice was tender and quivered, probably with nervousness at being on television.

The Carters, placed in the middle, stood directly behind where Meg sat. Darrell reached out to touch her shoulder as if offering support. Carol said something comforting to her. I noticed Chief Simms edge away from Pike, and Pike moved slightly to where I could see him. His hands gripped the back of the couch as he roared, “My father was Horace Dillard.”

Randi was pacing back and forth in the wings. She held up both hands, fingers spread notifying Bobby he had still ten minutes to commercial.

Bobby moved slightly closer to Meg. “I understand you have also been like a family member to the Carter family.” The woman twisted around giving all the Carters a smile, which they warmly returned. Bobby followed suit. To Bobby, she said, “They call me Meg.”

“All right, Meg.” He reached out and took one her of gloved hands in his. “Can you tell us what it was like hearing your family home was burning for a second time? Again, arson?” She looked toward the cameras. “You do remember that day so long ago, don’t you? Isn’t it the reason why you have remained hidden?”

A shadow of worry crossed Meg's face. “Hide? I live in Frytown, next to my daddy’s house. I’ve always lived there.” Her words were simple, her thoughts not complicated. “I moved there when Mandy’s mom and daddy died.”

Mandy? Amanda Keiff, the librarian?

Meg patted Bobby’s hand. “Edgar and I talk about Daddy all the time. Edgar’s like him, you know? My daddy was a strong man, and Edgar has his eyes.” Again she glanced fondly back at Pike.

I leaned over, trying to get a gander at Pike’s eyes. They looked red-rimmed and bloodshot to me.

“I miss my daddy.” She took back her hand from Bobby. She opened her purse and pulled out a much-used Kleenex. Although she didn’t seem emotional, she dabbed at her eyes and took a deep breath.

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