Mystery, Snow, and Mistletoe by Wendy Meadows

Author:Wendy Meadows [Meadows, Wendy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Majestic Owl Publishing LLC
Published: 2017-12-16T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Suspects

Brenda flipped the pages back to Lady Pendleton’s appointments immediately before her death. There were blank pages every three or four pages for her notes. Lady Pendleton was meticulous in noting personal information concerning Patrick. His full address was listed, along with phone number. When she looked closer, she realized that there were also details of delivery dates and times listed over a span of many weeks. Brenda guessed that Patrick often took legal materials to the Courthouse or to the Police Department on behalf of Edward. Lady Pendleton had listed each day and the time of day he left the office for this purpose and when he returned.

“My initial conclusion after reading this is that Lady Pendleton kept track of Patrick’s every move because of his lawsuit against her,” Bryce said.

“I have another hunch,” Brenda said. “Just after Patrick left, I think there’s a reason it was Pete Graham who moved right into that same apartment. Maybe Lady Pendleton paid him off to gossip against Patrick around town. He probably lived there rent-free in exchange for that job. We all know what a gossip Pete Graham is. He takes advantage of his mail route to spread word about everyone around town.”

“And people listen to him, too,” Bryce said.

Brenda leaned back in Mac’s comfortable desk chair. “I sometimes doubt that Edward Graham resented Lady Pendleton as much as he claims, though he clearly wanted Mac and me to believe that. What if Pete was easy to acquire because Edward is his father and Edward was her lawyer?”

“So you’re saying Lady Pendleton and Edward Graham were partners in the rent raises?”

Brenda nodded. “They were conspiring together, as in partners.” Brenda told Bryce about the value set on the apartment building Pete lived in. Bryce’s eyes popped open.

“That place was valued at a million dollars back then?” Again, Brenda nodded.

Both of them looked up quickly when the door opened.

“You two look comfortable in here,” Mac said. He came around his desk and kissed Brenda. She explained that the Chief told her to use his office. “I already heard that,” Mac said. Brenda started to get up and give him his chair. “Sit back down and bring me up to date on everything.”

Brenda told Mac everything she had discovered so far. “We have a motive that places Edward, Pete and Lady Pendleton in the middle of Patrick’s disappearance.”

“Edward told us he’s leaving town. Do you recall if he said when?” Mac asked.

“I don’t know for sure, but I believe tonight or tomorrow. He was in a hurry to get rid of us, don’t you think? He kept saying he had to pack up.”

Without another word, Mac rushed from his office and approached the Chief. After a quick consultation, Bob Ingram called over several more officers. He directed them to look for Pete Graham and bring him in for questioning. Next, the Chief told Bryce to go with Mac and bring Edward Graham to the police station.

“If he’s not at home or in his office, then go to the airport.

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