Deception Trail: A Maggie McFarlin Mystery by Charisse Peeler

Author:Charisse Peeler [Peeler, Charisse]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-02-06T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Silverhill’s Estates was an upscale senior living community situated on a high point with spectacularviews of Dyes Inlet in Silverdale.

Mike found a parking spot in front of the building with the giant brass A handing on the face.

“This is her building,” he told Maggie.

“Nice place,” Maggie looked around at the manicured boxwoods that lined the sidewalk and the fresh-cut green carpet of grass across the hill. She watched two adults on bikes ride down the concrete path on Clear Creek Trail. They had matching helmets and the man had a baby seat behind him with a child waving its arms in excitement at the small girl following behind on a pink bicycle with training wheels. Her little legs were pushing the pedals as fast as she could to keep up with her parents. Maggie imagined her children at that age riding side by side on their matching bikes, only one pink and one blue.

“You coming?” Mike said, shaking her from the past. He was standing at the passenger's door that she hadn’t even noticed he’d opened for her.

“Yes. Sorry,” Maggie said. “Just calming my nerves.”

“You will be fine, Maggie. Trust me.” He put his arm around her shoulders as they walked toward the door marked 102.

Maggie stood back, noticing the brightly colored welcome mat and a small statue of a happy Buddha next to a large pot overflowing with bright pink impatiens. It was exactly Sharron’s style. Maggie had nothing against Chase’s mother, but they stopped talking many years ago when Kyleigh refused a relationship. Sharron had taken over Maggie’s job as a mother. It was Maggie’s most significant failure, and it was Maggie that stopped trying.

Mike knocked and Maggie held her breath until the door opened and a smiling older woman appeared in the doorway, almost knocking the air out of Maggie as she flung herself around Maggie in a tight embrace.

“Sharron. It’s so nice to see you again,” Maggie said into her thinning white hair.

Sharron let go and took a step looking Maggie over as if she was examining a dress she was considering buying.

“You look marvelous, my dear. Maybe a little more sleep would get rid of those bags under your eyes.”

“It’s been a tough couple of days,” Maggie said in defense.

“And you must be Michael.” Sharron turned to Mike with a sly smile. “Please, come in. She stood aside and waved them into the modestly furnished apartment. It was neat and organized with just a few decorations. Maggie searched the room for any familiarity when she spotted several picture frames on a small side table. There was a young woman in a cap and gown and several at stages of her life. It took everything Maggie had to resist taking the pictures in her hands to see what she missed in the last few years.

“Please sit,” Sharron motioned to the couch. “Coffee? Tea?”

“No, thank you,” Mike and Maggie said in unison.

Sharron took the chair across from the pair waiting for one of them to speak.

Mike noticing Maggie, still distracted by the pictures, spoke first.

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