A Deadly Combo by Karen A Phillips

Author:Karen A Phillips
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: River Rock Press
Published: 2023-02-21T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 25

At the tire store, it turned out I needed four new tires. Hours later and several hundred dollars poorer, I had a new set of rubber and drove to my sister’s house. I wanted to check on her and give her an update on my efforts to solve the mystery.

I pressed the doorbell, and after a minute, Bridget opened the door, blinking in the sunlight. She waved a hand in front of her nose. “Ew. Did you hit a skunk on the way over?”

“It’s a long story,” I said as I followed her through the dimly lit house into the kitchen. “Why is the house so dark?” I asked. “Are you still feeling sick or is it the sleeping pills?”

She avoided looking at me. Avoided the mention of sleeping pills. “It’s too bright outside. It hurts my head.”

I frowned. “Since when? You used to worship the sun. Remember?”

She managed a weak smile. “That was before skin cancer was discovered.”

I followed her to the kitchen, and we sat at the table.

Bridget rubbed her wedding ring like a worry stone. “You know, I was just thinking it’s been five days since Wes died. I haven’t heard from the detective. Have you?”

“Can I look at your ring? I’ve never seen it up close.”

She gave me a puzzled look and held out her hand, the skin pale, like bone china. A diamond solitaire surrounded by smaller chips was impressive, even though it wasn’t my taste—should I ever get married. “It’s beautiful. It must’ve cost a fortune.”

She yanked her hand back. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing. Steve must earn a decent living. That’s all.”

She stared at me with hurt in her eyes, then pulled her shoulders back. “How many times do I have to say I’m sorry?” She looked at me in earnest. “Raquel, I didn’t abandon you. I’m still here.”

I blinked as tears stung my eyes.

“Rocky,” Bridget said. “I want you to know we eloped because I’d been married twice already. Both times I made sure you were in the wedding party.”

I supposed it was silly of me to hang on to my resentment. Knowing my sister, I should have expected to be dumped for a man. I needed to get over it. I smiled at her. “And look how that turned out. Are you suggesting I’m bad luck?”

She laughed, and the tension eased. “Of course not.” Her expression turned serious. “Rocky, you’ve worked so hard to deal with Mom’s death. It’s time to move on. Find someone you can spend the rest of your life with. Don’t you want to?”

“Like Doris Day said, ‘que será, será.’”

She huffed. “You’re just like Dad. Always making fun.”

I smiled again and tried for levity. “How did this turn into a therapy session?” I teased, hoping she would take the hint and back off. But maybe she was right. Was I clinging to Bridget like a life preserver, masquerading as her protector to keep her out of harm’s way, while in truth protecting myself? And did I

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