Bed & Breakfast 4 - Dune to Death by Mary Daheim

Author:Mary Daheim [Daheim, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mary Daheim
Publisher: Unknown
Published: 2010-03-22T04:00:00+00:00

“Some teenagers found him,” said Judith in an uncharacteristically lackluster voice. She turned to Joe. “Renie’s abandoning me. She’s going home tomorrow.”

Joe looked unconcerned. “So? We’ll probably be heading that way the day after. You’ll have to drive. Just don’t let it drop under eighty on the freeway.”

“But…” Judith started to protest.

“Hold it.” Joe put up a hand. “When I get out of this hospital, we’re getting out of town. I’ve had enough of Buccaneer Beach. It’s even possible we can leave tomorrow, too. Forget the murders. In fact,” he continued, his round face hardening,

“after this last one, I want you both to back off. This killer is utterly ruthless. I mean it, Jude-girl.”

There was no brooking Joe’s argument. Judith actually flinched at the stern expression in those green eyes. Indeed, the gold flecks sparked like flame. It had been a DUNE TO DEATH / 179

long time since Judith had felt her will thwarted by anyone. Except Gertrude, of course. She turned uncommonly meek.

“Okay, Joe,” she mumbled. “We’ll concentrate on finding the treasure.”

“Skip that, too,” ordered Joe. “Unless you mean this year’s festival prize. That ought to be safe enough.”

A nurse, whom Judith had never see before and who actually weighed under three hundred pounds, pushed a wheelchair into the room. Obviously, it was time for Jake to leave. Getting settled into the chair, Jake gave the cousins a big grin.

“I’d ask you over for some cards tonight, but I already got company coming,” he said with a wink. Jake lowered his voice. “Mrs. Wampole gets out today, too.” He made a clicking noise with his tongue.

“That’s wonderful,” said Judith, trying to stir up enthusiasm. “Does she play poker?”

Jake shook his head. “Naw, she’s another one of them bridge fiends, like you two. That’s one game I want no part of. All that counting points and bidding back and forth and crazy scoring above and below the line. It’s the only kind of cards I know where your nearest and dearest will try to stomp in your skull for making an honest mistake. Seems to me everybody’s got to be a dummy to play that game.” He lifted a bony white arm. “See ya in the funny papers. I’ve had a good time, but this wasn’t one of ’em. Ha-ha!” Jake rolled out of the room, calling down the hall to Mrs. Wampole.

“I hope he’ll be all right,” said Judith. “I worry about him. He’s really quite frail. And old.”

“He’s not frail, he’s just sort of stringy,” said Joe. “Sinew, and all that. But he is old.” Joe’s face had softened. Renie stepped out of the way as an orderly came in to strip Jake’s bed. “Should we ask him to visit us and introduce him to our mothers?” Her brown eyes danced. Joe shook his head and grinned. “Jake doesn’t deserve that. All things considered, he was a pretty good room-180 / Mary Daheim mate.” His gaze shifted back to Judith. “As a matter of fact, he invited us to come back down here some time and stay with him.

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