Felony Murder Rule: A Women's Mystery Thriller by Thonie Hevron

Author:Thonie Hevron [Hevron, Thonie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781685492649
Publisher: Rough Edges Press
Published: 2023-06-05T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Forty

It was the first warm evening of the summer. Dinner was finished, the dishes done, and Meredith had just gotten Davy ready for bed.

“Meredith, come out here. Bring Davy, too.” Nick stood on the front porch holding a beer. His soft smile surprised her. He was relaxed, enjoying the evening. The sun set behind La Cresta Ridge, turning the eastern hills a deep purple. Streetlights illuminated the valley floor, but the distant hills slowly faded to dark. Nick was good about sharing moments like this.

The kid next door flew down the sidewalk, calling after a mid-sized mutt. A minute later, an older couple from up the street waved at the Reyes family as they walked by. Meredith flipped Davy’s arm in an awkward baby wave. Tired and edging toward cranky, Davy pulled his arm away, planting his thumb in his mouth.

Meredith sat down beside Nick in a wicker rocker. Davy hung onto Fresno while she tucked her son into her shoulder. She sat back in a gentle rocking motion, savoring the peaceful sounds of the summertime neighborhood. Most residents had windows open, embracing the warmth. She heard a TV game show from the reclusive senior next door, teenaged boys playing hoops across the street, and an occasional parental holler for kids to come in.

Davy’s deep breathing told her he’d fallen asleep. She had no intention of getting up. She was relaxed, too, savoring the peaceful place in which they lived.

Nick tipped the beer, emptying it. “I’m going for another beer. You want anything?”

He cocked his head, looking up the street. The light from inside the living room exposed his whitening knuckles clutching the bottle.

“What is it?” Reluctant to stand and awaken Davy, she stayed in her chair.

“There’s a Sheriff’s unit cruising up the street.”

“That’s funny. Maybe he’s serving civil papers or something.”

Nick nodded absently, keeping an eye on the patrol SUV. It slowed as it passed by.

“Shit.” Nick glared after the vehicle. “It was Evelina.”

What was she doing here? Meredith’s gut clenched. It was time to tell him about Deb’s warning. “Nick, come sit down. I need to tell you something.”

The SUV accelerated toward the T-intersection of Melvin and English Street. Nick’s words were clipped. “Tell me standing up.” His jaw flexed as the SUV flipped a U-turn at English Street back to Melvin.

“When I talked to Deb the other day, she told me Evelina has a thing for you.”

“What kind of thing?” Nick’s face scrunched in confusion. “And how would Deb know?” Then, he waved away the idea. “Nah, that’s just bullshit.”

“No, it’s not. Evelina’s best friend is Deb’s sister. Evelina told the sister that she wants to hook up with you.” Meredith sucked in a breath. “Nick, don’t yell. You’ll wake the baby.”

“Yell?” Nick turned to her, smiling. “Why would I yell?”

“You’re fricking flattered, aren’t you?” Meredith shook her head. “I can’t believe you. You never get it when a woman is flirting with you. I have to practically hit you over the head with it—and now you’re pleased!” Meredith had less tolerance for stalking than the normal person.

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