Killer Chemistry: An Utterly Unputdownable Small-Town Cozy Mystery by Fern Cooper

Author:Fern Cooper [Cooper, Fern]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2024-04-20T00:00:00+00:00

16

Lies and Deceit

Ingrid and Marianne split up like usual and finished cleaning their share of the guest rooms. Ingrid worked fast, like she was used to, but she couldn’t shake the heavy feeling weighing her down. What had seemed like a quaint little town, open and friendly, was quickly turning into something much more sinister.

Between rooms, Ingrid looked around, wondering who was where and what they were doing. It was tiresome to say the least. Jennifer did not even make an effort to help, spending all her time entertaining the guests. Each time Ingrid spotted her, she was shoulder to shoulder with either the Beckhams or Mr. Witherspoon.

Lucas seemed to be avoiding conversation of any sort, turning a cold shoulder to anyone who got near. In the rare times Ingrid met his eyes, the deep pit of nothing was frightening. He wasn’t even trying to get along anymore.

Mr. Greene was another story altogether. He pulled Ingrid aside just after lunch and confessed that he was worried about Jonathon. After work the night before, he had gone to visit Jonathon’s mother only to find her a basket case since she had no idea where Jonathon was. When Archie explained that he’d been arrested for murder, she broke down into tears and crumpled at his feet. She wouldn’t make it on her own if Jonathon didn’t get released.

“Marianne and I are planning to go see him after we finish for the day,” Ingrid said.

“I think he’ll like that. Must be hard to be by himself in there. You tell him for me that I checked in on his momma and she’s doin’ all right. Don’t you tell him she’s worried. He doesn’t need to think about that right now,” Archie said, looking at the hills over Ingrid’s shoulder while he talked.

“I agree. He just needs to keep his head straight until he gets out,” Ingrid said. Archie gave her a look, skeptical at best, indicating he wasn’t as sure as her about Jonathon being set free.

“Come find me tomorrow and tell me how it went,” Archie said, not waiting for an agreement before trudging off toward his shed.

“Archie,” Ingrid called, stopping him just before he turned the corner, “what were you guys needing bleach for?”

“Bleach? We weren’t doin’ anything with bleach. You don’t need bleach for welding, and we were welding that old lawn mower back together again.”

Ingrid nodded slowly, glad she had asked to set her mind at ease.

“Why are you askin’?” Archie said.

“Because the police say they found bleach bottles in the shed and Lucas said he saw Jonathon carrying bleach. But Jonathon said he wasn’t. I’m just trying to sort everything out.”

“You gotta watch out for that boy Lucas. Don’t believe everything that snake charmer says.” With those final words, Archie stepped around the corner and disappeared.

Ingrid turned to leave herself and saw Jennifer staring from the edge of the patio with her arms folded tightly across her chest and a hard scowl on her face. When Jennifer turned to walk away a flickering ball of dull orange light went with her.

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