The Gossip by Nancy Bush

Author:Nancy Bush [Bush, Nancy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zebra Books
Published: 2021-04-19T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Mac slowed as she drove by the charred remains of Bibi and Hank Engstrom’s nearly destroyed home. Half of it was dankly smelling wet timbers and ash. The other half stood dispirited and dilapidated. Hank Engstrom, Bibi’s husband, was considered a person of interest and maybe he was the arsonist and murderer. She would have liked to interview him herself, but knew better than to get in the way of the department’s investigation at this point. The crime tech team hadn’t made a definitive announcement as yet, but in Mac’s mind Bibi’s death was a homicide. And if that were true and the perpetrator wasn’t Bibi’s estranged husband . . . then who was it, and what was the motive?

She wished she knew more about Bibi herself, but their relationship hadn’t been that deep. Bibi had been in an unhappy marriage and was facing divorce. She’d been clear about that. And she’d been worried first, about Rayne’s disappearance and second, that her death wasn’t an accident. Bibi had been convinced that Rayne’s demise was linked to her mysterious new boyfriend. Maybe Seth Keppler, maybe Troi Bevins . . . or maybe someone else.

Though Rayne’s death had been ruled accidental, a foolish and dangerous attempt at a selfie, Mackenzie didn’t completely go along with that, either. Bibi’s subsequent murder was so fast on the heels of Rayne’s death that it seemed like it couldn’t be a coincidence.

Maybe she was on a wild goose chase, but Mac was planning on connecting with Troi Bevins later today and asking about his relationships with both Rayne and Elise Sealy to see how, and if, they might play into Rayne’s death. She wanted to talk to Seth Keppler as well, but she was still trying to work that one out. He already felt he recognized her and he had a menacing attitude that may or may not be all bravado. She was betting on the former, and well, she didn’t want to get in Taft’s way, either.

For now she had a few hours to kill. She’d told herself to put her mind to finding an apartment—as much as Stephanie had suggested she stay with her till the baby arrived, she couldn’t help feeling like an intruder—but she had no energy for that just yet. It was the kind of task that just zapped strength.

As she drove on she realized she was aiming toward the direction of the trail that led to Percy Peak and the overlook where Rayne had died. She hadn’t really planned on following Rayne’s footsteps today, but it suddenly sounded like a good idea.

The weather didn’t agree, however. As Mac parked at the side of the strip mall, rain suddenly pounded down on the roof of her RAV, bouncing in silver streaks on her hood. She waited inside the vehicle and let a sheet of water wash over her windshield, obscuring everything for a time. March was almost over. If this was a prelude to April showers, next month was going to be a doozy.

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