The Still Small Voice by Brenda Stanley

Author:Brenda Stanley [Stanley, Brenda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Published: 2022-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

It was time to reveal what she knew to Sister Johnson. Madison would never find the truth without going straight to the source, and it was apparent, the only person who had contact with Amelia was Martha, her mother. After being charged with murder and spending all those years in prison, Martha was still the person Amelia had on her side. The idea made Madison’s heart hurt. She thought about the strained and basically nonexistent relationship with her own mother. Imagine if I had confessed to a murder? she thought. Then she wondered if it would have really been worse.

Madison called Sister Johnson, but instead of telling her over the phone, she asked if she could stop by. Martha was pleased, and the optimism in her voice made Madison dread what she planned to tell her. Even if the news could generate hope, she was sure it would also bring up the sorrowful feelings from the past. Regardless, she knew there was no choice but to let her know what her father had said. It would be shocking and confusing for the elderly woman, but she had to do it.

The day was warm for Utah Valley in the fall. Madison regretted wearing the long-sleeved shirt but wondered if it wasn’t nerves that were also making her sweat. Martha met her at the door before Madison even had a chance to knock, and a plate of cookies waited for her inside. The woman’s enthusiastic smile and eagerness to whisk her into the house had Madison feeling rueful. She needed to get to the point. Dragging this out would only be cruel to them both.

“I’m glad you’re here. You said you needed to speak to me about your father?” Martha asked. “How is he?”

Madison looked down. She pulled in a deep breath. “He’s hanging in there. But it’s only a matter of time.”

“I’m so sorry to hear that.” She patted Madison’s arm. “Just remember, you’ll see him again one day.”

It was a familiar comfort for those in the church to remind and enforce the plan of eternal life. How Madison wished she had at least that much of her former faith. To believe in that would be an incredible relief, even if she felt it was misguided. Madison looked up and gave her a small smile.

“Would you like some cocoa or…”

Madison shook her head. “No, thank you. I just need to talk to you.”

“Yes, of course. What is it?”

“It’s about your daughter.”

Martha looked up at her, and she leaned back and took a deep breath as if bracing herself. “What about?” she asked.

“Did she ever talk about boys she dated?”

Martha smiled and shook her head. “She never dated. She was so shy.”

“Really? Has she ever talked about the boy that may have seen what happened that day?”

She cocked her head and studied Madison. “No. I told you she never talks about it. Why are you asking?”

Madison felt the room grow cold. “I have no idea how to tell you this, but…”

Martha looked down to the floor and then made her way to the sofa.

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