Strawberries and Sweet Lies by Rosie Sams

Author:Rosie Sams [Sams, Rosie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: SweetBookHub.com
Published: 2019-09-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Back at the police station, before the two women could brief Alvin on their meeting with Leslie, he invited them to take a seat in his office. The somber look on his face silenced their story and they waited mutely for him to speak.

He cleared his throat. “I interviewed Grant and he didn’t budge from his version of events. Since we have nothing on him, I released him, advising him to stick close to the lake house in case I have further questions.” He stopped, cleared his throat again, and spoke much more gently, “And our next step is to drag the lake for Amelia’s body.”

Both women drew in sharp breaths at this macabre news. Mel felt so much sadness at the thought of the beautiful, accomplished Amelia, drifting lifelessly somewhere at the bottom of the lake.

Then she shook herself, and began to relate their morning conversation with Leslie Mathers and Kerry chimed in now and then with extra details.

The sheriff congratulated them both on their resourcefulness. Mel tried to quash the unexpected pleasure she felt as a result of Al’s praise, but Kerry had no such reticence. She visibly swelled, holding herself regally, remarking, “it really was no big deal; you just have to know where to look.”

Mel hid a smile, and she was pretty sure Alvin’s stifled cough covered a chuckle.

“Well, now that you’ve begun the conversation, I will follow up with Ms. Mathers. I promise you both that I will leave no stone unturned in pursuit of the truth of Amelia’s disappearance.”

The women thanked him and rose to leave. Once again, he shook each of their hands, giving Mel’s an extra-long, gentle squeeze, which she found she was beginning to enjoy in spite of herself.

They decided to return to the shop to make sure everything was put away and ready for Monday morning, which didn’t take long. After their chores, Mel suggested taking the cooped up, antsy Smudge for a quick walk as well as maybe get their own crime-solving creative juices flowing. Mel clipped the leash on Smudge, and both amateur sleuths briskly started off.

“You know,” Mel began, “it’s possible that Grant or Leslie truly didn’t have anything to do with Amelia’s disappearance.”

“Why do they both appear so guilty, though?” Kerry countered. “If I didn’t do it, I would just say so and have proof to back it up. Both acted shady as the dickens, like they were hiding something.” A sudden thought struck her. “Maybe they’re in cahoots!”

“Or maybe it’s someone else entirely, and those two just have personal secrets completely unrelated to Amelia that they don’t want to be found out,” Mel said. “A rich, beautiful, well-connected woman like Amelia could easily have scores of enemies. We have to keep open minds.” They walked on for a few moments in silence, ruminating over the past few days’ incidents.

As they neared a bank four blocks away, Kerry spoke, “Isn’t that Claire?” She was pointing to a woman approaching them from about a half-block away. It was, indeed.

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