Libel to Kill by Gilian Baker

Author:Gilian Baker [Baker, Gilian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mistero Press
Published: 2019-05-30T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Feeling dejected after my discussion with Bernie’s kids, I pushed aside my plate, put my elbow on the table, and anchored my chin on my fist. Maybe if I left Matt and Ruth alone to think, they'd change their minds and talk to Ross. Or perhaps I was going to have to do this on my own.

I could take this opportunity to go talk to Crystal, but the moment had passed, and I didn't feel like it. Not in this mood. Besides, I wanted to speak to her privately, not at the station.

Phyllis was right though. The longer I put the apology off, the harder it was going to be. And the less sincere it would seem. I didn't want Crystal believing I didn't care about the friendship. I needed to come up with a plan...what I wanted to say and when I could say it. Should I walk across the street to the station and find out Crystal's work schedule for the next few days? Even that felt daunting. No doubt Sheryl would tell Crystal I'd been asking.

As I nibbled on my tuna melt, I reviewed my discussion with Bernie's kids. How bad did one's home life need to be to feel nothing but relief when the woman who brought you into the world suddenly left it? And why wouldn't they want their mom's death looked into if there was evidence that didn't fit the natural death scenario? Did they have something to hide?

Making an official request to the sheriff shouldn't keep them here longer. Ross could communicate what he found via phone. It wouldn't take them but an hour to fill out a report or whatever. Then their part of it would be done. Should I try talking to them again later? After the funeral was over with? I'd play it by ear.

Though I hadn't learned a great deal from Matt and Ruth, I could now strike one question off my list. If they knew about her health issues, everyone would.

I took my train of thought in another direction while I tapped my pen absentmindedly on my notepad. Perhaps I should consider motives other than revenge. I thought about the triple threats of murder—love, money, retribution. Love entering into the equation with Bernie was laughable. I wasn't sure if there was much money to be had after her death. But revenge? Bernie had racked that up in spades. Nodding my head, I circled the word on the page. Getting revenge was indeed the best motive.

I snuck a sideways glance at their table. Should I add Bernie's kids to my suspect list? Would they want revenge on their mom, or did they simply feel indifferent? I should at least rule out money as motive. Was there anything for the kids to inherit? Maybe, though I didn't see how Bernie could have a considerable sum to leave to her heirs.

But why now? If Matt and Ruth had killed their mother, what had prompted it? I moved from tapping my pen to doodling, drawing a hanged man with Xs for eyes as I ruminated.

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