No Visible Means by L. P. Suzanne Atkinson

Author:L. P. Suzanne Atkinson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC 022070 FICTION Mystery/detective - cozy/general
FIC 022040 FICTION Mystery/detective - female sleuths
FIC 022100 FICTION Mystery/detective - amateur sleuth
Publisher: lpsabooks
Published: 2019-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

I Have Little to Share

“Hi! No. No word from Ruby and I haven’t found a moment to call. We’ve been crazy around here the last few days. How are you?”

“Fine. Fine.”

Her voice is anxious. Stella’s put off. “What’s the problem, Trixie? The park won’t go bankrupt if we wait a week or two to sign loan papers. Work on the power and water needs to be completed before the snow comes though.”

“Long shifts are scheduled for me right now. Summer hours started. To be honest, Stella, I don’t want to disappoint you, but I might not be able to get away in the middle of the day.”

“Okay, Trixie. It’s good you’re scheduled for more work. No need to dither over the loan. Maybe Ruby will see us later in the day. I’ll call and explain the situation. No one knows the right way to behave when a person is murdered in your own backyard. Did you notice if the bank was closed when you drove through town yesterday?”

“No, Stella. I cruise past before eight in the morning. The place is never open at that hour.”

Stella wants to show how she appreciates Trixie’s concern although she can’t help but think her sister is more worried her monthly cheque will not arrive if their business enterprise doesn’t receive the required improvements. “Come to the park this weekend. Let’s get the family together. The last few days have been awful.”

“I’ll talk to Brigitte and see if she has plans. Ring me if you hear from the bank. Gotta run.”

With this remark, the phone goes dead.

****

Once the clock reads ten, Stella takes a moment from her paperwork to call Ruby Wilson.

“Shale Harbour Savings and Loan. We will be closed the week of May 26 due to unforeseen circumstances. If you require immediate service, please contact Port Ephron Savings and Loan for further assistance.”

The crackle of the answering machine sputters to a halt with no opportunity to leave a message. Stella replaces the telephone receiver into its cradle with unnecessary care. In a sudden force she finds disturbing, the whole ordeal becomes overwhelmingly real. This is more than an exercise; more than a puzzle.

“Are you busy, Stella?”

“In here, Alice. What’s up?”

“There are a couple of people out in reception who asked to see you. One is Mark Bell. The other might be Terri Price, but I’m not sure. Shouldn’t they be at the bank?”

“The bank’s closed for the week. I’ll meet them in the living room. I imagine they want to discuss Lorraine’s death.” She reluctantly moves from behind her desk. “I doubt Ruby has encouraged her staff to visit her home to debrief.”

Alice returns to the front office and Stella enters the kitchen. She prepares a pot of coffee while she stares out the window at the tangle of overgrown rose bushes which tickle the panes above the sink. She must remind Nick to assign Paul or Eve the task of wrestling the overabundance of growth into some semblance of order.

“Good morning, you two.

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