Murder Takes to the Hills by Jessica Thomas

Author:Jessica Thomas [Thomas, Jessica]
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Published: 2010-05-23T03:00:00+00:00

We were at loose ends. We flopped in the living room and Cindy lit the fire.

The rain maintained a dismal half-hearted drizzle. Fargo stared morosely onto the soggy deck. A heavy fog was moving in, or was it a low-lying cloud? For lack of a better idea we had more coffee. It tasted lousy.

We had thought of driving down to Gatlinburg today. Sonny had been there last year with the girlfriend du jour. He said it was touristy, but also had some wonderful craft shops and a couple of interesting small museums. Obviously it was not the day for that trip.

Then Cindy brought up what had I had been thinking of, but hadn’t quite had the nerve to mention.

“Darling, are you familiar with the old saying: a lady always knows when to leave the party?”

I laughed. “No, I don’t think I ever did hear it, but it’s apt, isn’t it? What were you thinking, my lady? Today? Tomorrow?”

She set her coffee mug on the cocktail table and made a face. “Ghastly stuff. Anyway, I think tomorrow. We’re meeting Gale and Lou tonight, which will probably be fun. Anyway, I’d hate to cancel—we’d have to tell them why. And I’m sure most everyone we’ve met will be there, and we can make our farewells casually. Then early tomorrow morning we can fold our tents and steal away. We can either push along home in two days like we did coming down, or take it a day slower and visit some of the sights on the way home.”

“I think you’re right.” All of a sudden, I wanted to go home, right that minute. “For one thing, I feel that we’re getting too involved down here for people who don’t belong. It would be different if we owned this place. Of course, I guess the problem with McCurry will end Monday—if Branch can drag him away. Personally I think he’s a psychopath who’s loving every moment of it.”

“He may well be.” Cindy looked thoughtful. “And I hope he doesn’t work up to a grand finale before he leaves. But I don’t regret any of the little things we’ve done. If good people don’t pitch in, the bad stuff just goes on.”

“Quite true, m’dear.” I got up and pushed a loose log to the rear. “There have been a couple of emergencies where we have done the good neighbor bit. But we have to remember we are not neighbors, we are visitors. And Peter Minot is involved now, and the problem with Advantage won’t end with McCurry’s departure. There will be legal twists and turns for the next hundred years unless Advantage backs down. And we have no part in that. Let’s go home. We’ve got a Master Suite to furnish.”

Suddenly we were energized. We had things to do. I phoned Mrs. Fouts and luckily found her in. I told her we were leaving tomorrow and finally got the figure we owed her for the original groceries. I sat down and wrote her a check for the food plus a tip before I forgot.

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