Death Dangles a Participle (Miss Prentice Cozy Mystery Series) by E. E. Kennedy

Author:E. E. Kennedy [Kennedy, E. E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Sheaf House Publishers
Published: 2013-07-11T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

I actually did pray for Vern right then and there, while sitting at the kitchen bar next to the telephone. I prayed also for Gil and for the Rousseau brothers and finally, for myself and my baby. Less than six months ago I had complained in prayer that I was alone. That prayer had been answered bountifully, overwhelmingly. Now I had new things to pray about.

Of course, when opportunity came my way, I had cooperated fully with Providence and many good things had resulted. “Lord,” I murmured, quoting a T-shirt I’d seen somewhere, “please give me the strength to endure my blessings!”

It was time to hunt for Edward Thomas, Vern’s father. It wasn’t a chore I relished, and not only because I’d be the bearer of bad news. Vern’s late mother, Carol, had been Gil’s sister and her death several years ago from a virulent form of cancer had so embittered Ned that his son had moved away and taken up residence with his uncle.

The subject of Ned was verboten in our household, at least in front of Vern, but Gil managed to keep tabs on his brother-in-law, probably using his many journalistic connections.

“Saratoga, huh?” I said, and called directory assistance. There were six Edward Thomases in Saratoga, but only one Ned, so I tried the number.

“You know the drill,” a recorded voice growled cryptically. At the tone, I suddenly realized that my news wasn’t the sort one should deliver via voicemail.

“Uh, Ned, this is Amelia Prentice, you know, Gil’s wife? Amelia Dickensen, that is.” I gave a little mirthless chuckle and cleared my throat. “It’s about Vern. Your son.”

Good grief, Amelia, of course he knows the name of his own son!

“Well, he’s all right, but there has been a, um, well, a difficulty has arisen. I mean, he has a problem, and we think you need to know about it. Call us, please.” I added the numbers of both our telephone and Gil’s cell.

As I hung up, it occurred to me that I wasn’t even sure I had the right Ned Thomas. And what would I have told him if he had been home? I wondered.

Ned, Vern is at the police station. He’s involved with a murder investigation and may be in trouble for withholding evidence. He may even be a suspect, but Gil and I know he’s not guilty of anything except being young and loyal to his friends.

For that matter, I added to myself, his friends aren’t guilty of anything, either; I’m certain of it.

I fixed myself a glass of milk and a peanut butter sandwich, moved to the couch, and turned on the television. I ate my dinner answering arcane questions posed by Alex Trebek, then watched as a sinister-looking fellow with a punk haircut extolled the virtues of some kind of chamois cloth costing $19.99, but wait, if I called in right away . . .

I dozed.

Cold air coming from the front door woke me. I sat up and caught a glimpse of the back of Vern’s coat as he slipped into his room and slammed the door shut.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.