The Lost Door by Marc Buhmann

Author:Marc Buhmann
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2015-05-10T05:18:25+00:00

* * *

Dead!

David still couldn’t believe it. He’d been visited by the River Bend sheriff the other day while at work, inquiring about Harold and Joan Shaw. He’d had to return to work, hated to do it—the thought of leaving Lilly alone was unbearable—but what little savings remained had dried up. Keeping focus had been a challenge, but it was something he had to do.

“Is there someplace we can speak in private?”

Why were the police interested in his in-laws? “Sure,” he’d said, and guided him to a small conference room.

Once he’d shut the door the sheriff had delivered the bad news. “I’m sorry to tell you this, Mr. Rottingham, but they were found dead in their home this morning.”

He’d felt sucker punched. “Dead? How?”

“We’re still investigating, but…” He paused, seemed unsure of how to proceed. “Someone was involved in their deaths.”

“Murdered?”

The sheriff nodded. “We’ve never had a murder in River Bend.”

David had sank into a seat. Harold and Joan? They were the nicest people in the world! Who would want to harm them?

After a fifteen minute conversation the sheriff thanked him for his help and let himself out.

First Lilly, now her parents. What else could happen?

He’d left work and gone immediately to the hospital. Whether or not Lilly could hear him he owed it to her to tell her the news. They were her parents for God’s sake. Telling her had been more difficult than he’d anticipated, but he finally had been able to get the words out. Even though she showed no reaction he’d felt a weight lift.

The sheriff made it official three days later. Murder in River Bend! screamed the newspaper headline. The police were following every lead, but at this point still had no suspects.

His mind was still reeling from the news as he walked into the small waiting area of the hospital. It had been an exceptionally long day coordinating the Shaw’s funeral, and he needed a caffeine boost before visiting Lilly. An overweight woman in her sixties was knitting in a chair, her brown nylon socks clumped around her ankles. Her concentration never wavered. Another woman, younger and prettier, was pouring herself a cup of coffee.

As David stepped up behind her she turned and bumped into him. She let out a short “Oh!” and dropped the paper cup in hand, the dark liquid splashing to the tiled floor. The knitter looked at them over her too thick glasses, then went back to work.

“I’m sorry,” David said.

“No, it’s…” The woman touched her face in embarrassment. “You just startled me is all.” She turned and grabbed some napkins.

“Let me.”

“No, really, I made the mess.”

“But I startled you,” he said pleasantly. She hesitated then handed the napkins over with a smile.

David cleaned up the spill as the woman poured another coffee. “How do you take it?”

David glanced up, saw she was looking at him expectantly. “Two sugars.” He finished cleaning, stood, tossed the napkins, and accepted the coffee when it was offered. “Thank you.” He extended his hand. “I’m David.

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