Jane Delaney Humorous Mystery Series by Pamela Burford

Author:Pamela Burford
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: humorous mysteries female sleuth, amateur sleuth, love triangle, romantic comedy mystery, female protagonist, dog mystery, humorous mystery series, amateur female sleuths romantic, humorous dog mysteries, small town mystery and humor, love triangle mystery series, cozy animal mystery series
Publisher: Radical Poodle Press
Published: 2020-11-05T00:00:00+00:00

10

The Ballad of Tim Holbrook

PORTER WAS SWIMMING laps in his backyard pool. Lacey had answered the door and, when I told her Dom and I were there to speak with her husband, directed us through the ultramodern house and out the sliding doors to the multi-tiered deck and the big, rectangular pool beyond. Someone in one of the nearby McMansions was grilling chicken. The smoky aroma mingled with the scents of cut grass and a garden full of blooming roses. Lacey’s project, I assumed. I couldn’t imagine Porter Vargas on his knees trimming rosebushes.

It was a balmy night and fully dark by then, but the subtle outdoor lighting combined with the underwater lights lent a warm elegance to the space. Chaises and umbrella tables dotted the teak pool deck. I remember thinking they must have some kick-ass parties back there.

We stood at the head of the pool and watched Porter execute a neat swimmer’s turn at the far end and perform a graceful, flawless crawl, eating up the distance between us in seconds. “Hey, guys,” he said as he hoisted himself out of the pool with the agility of a monkey. Porter was in exceptional shape for his age, kind of what you’d expect from the CEO of a multinational sporting-goods empire.

He dried his face and hair with a yellow towel, slung it over his neck, and lifted a water bottle for a long swig. “Did Lacey offer you something to drink?”

“Yeah, thanks, we’re fine,” Dom said. The two of them knew each other from business and social functions.

I decided to launch right in to it. “I need to talk to you about Tim Holbrook.”

Porter’s eyebrows rose in mild surprise. “All right, though I don’t know what I can tell you that’s not a matter of public record at this point.” He gestured to a cluster of cushioned teak chairs surrounding a small table, and we all sat. “Why are you interested in Tim?”

Dom had insisted on accompanying me, against my strident objections. I have to admit, at that moment I was grateful for the silent strength of his presence, not knowing what direction this conversation would take.

Does that make me a helpless little female, looking to the big, strong man to keep her safe?

Thanks a lot. The correct answer was no.

I said, “I want to know why you’ve been hiring me anonymously for the past twenty years to deliver flowers to Tim’s grave on the anniversary of his death.”

Porter stared at me for a moment, then gave a little shake of the head. He opened his mouth to object, but I cut him off.

“I know it was you, Porter,” I said, “so let’s skip the part where you pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about.”

He held my gaze for a long, charged moment, then slumped a bit. He gazed across the dark lawn beyond the pool. “Ernie felt terrible about what happened to Tim... about what he did to him. It would have looked kind of odd if

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