Vengeance: a Mystery by Elizabeth Ticknor

Author:Elizabeth Ticknor
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2019-02-05T16:30:40+00:00

Chapter 12

We left for Phoenix after breakfast the next day. Jake came with us. No Amy.

“She’s going to leave me,” he despaired as he threw his backpack into the trunk next to our roll-ons and slid into the back seat next to Lil and me. “She’s pulling away. She didn’t say so, but I know she’s not up to family crisis. She’s not my rock. Until all this happened, I thought maybe I was hers.”

“Don’t jump to conclusions,” I said, trying to cheer him up a bit, though my voice lacked conviction. “She may be stronger than you think. After all, she took you on in spite of the age difference and your background.”

“She doesn’t know much about that. When we met, I was sober. I didn’t tell her I deserted my family. I didn’t even tell her I had a family until we got engaged. She really doesn’t know much about me. She’ll leave me. I would in her shoes. She’s pretty, young and unencumbered. She’s out. I’m sure of it.”

None of us had anything promising to say, and we drifted into private thoughts for the much of the remainder of our ride.

“Do you have a place to stay?” I asked as we pulled into Anthem. It was late in the afternoon.

“Mom’s place? Maybe I could stay there. Is it a crime scene? Have the police blocked it off?”

“They don’t think there’s been a crime. I’m sure you can stay there for a few days,” I said, thinking won’t that creep him out? It would me. Living in the very house where his mother has been murdered.

“Eventually, you’ll have to clean it up and put it up for sale,” Lil said.

Jake looked dismayed at the prospect. “Look, that’s not my thing. I don’t do clean ups.” He shook his head. “That’s going to have to be someone else. Not me. I’m not even sure how living with her ghost is going to go. I’m not sure of much of anything.” He looked as if he was ready to jump out of the car and flee on the spot. I was about to say something anodyne when Ted poked my arm, letting me know to back off and let the topic drop. I grimaced, but knew he was right.

“Do you have a key?” I asked.

Jake edged away from the car door. His rigid body began to relax. “I do. Mom didn’t change the locks after I left. I still have the key.”

“OK,” I said. “We’ll drop you off and head back to our hotel. We’re at the age where we can’t think straight after a long day in the car. Let’s meet tomorrow morning to talk about next steps.”

Early the next morning, we headed to Connie’s place. We rang the bell and knocked. No Jake.

“Should we involve that neighbor again?” Ted asked. “He still has the extra key.” Ted’s tone reflected his exasperation.

“Let’s text Jake first. Maybe he’s just sleeping in. I can’t see bothering Connie’s neighbor again,” I said.

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