This Tangled Web by Roxie Cohen

Author:Roxie Cohen [Cohen, Roxie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-23T00:00:00+00:00

19

On my way back to the farm, I veer to the right at the last minute, my tires sliding as I slip into the last parking spot outside Marty’s. Eyebrows raise when I make my re-entry and take a seat at the bar. It seems most people are still here from my earlier visit. Not that I blame them. I dread going back out into the cold. Instead of resuming conversations with some familiar faces I see there, I sit quietly, scrolling through texts and comments on my socials until Marty makes her way over to me with a questioning smile.

“Jude, hi. I didn’t expect you back so soon.” She wipes the counter down in front of me and then pauses as if waiting for an explanation for my repeat visit.

“Hello, Marty. I was just about to head out to Nora’s place, but I think I’d be a bit late for lunch and thought I’d drop in here for a quick bite instead.”

“No offense to my sister, but you’ll have a better dinner here. There’s a reason I make most of the family meals.” After handing me a menu, she leaves me alone at the counter, and I watch as she refills the glasses of other patrons as she moves down the bar. I shake my head at the sisterly competition and open the menu.

I order a burger and a diet coke before pulling out a notebook and pen. For the next hour, I write out detailed notes of my conversations with Natalie and Ava. I add my own questions in the margins, reminding myself to follow up as necessary.

The most surprising part of today was learning Natalie didn’t have an affair with Matthew out of lust or even out of jealousy. Could she really have had an affair with her sister’s husband, and slept with the man, to help her sister find the strength to leave an abusive relationship?

I swirl a French fry in ketchup as I consider what I’ve learned about Matthew Hensley. From everything I’ve read and heard, Matt was not a very likable guy. At least, not so much in the last decade. His court record indicates he has a short fuse and from what I’ve been told so far, it’s true. Even at home, there seems to be trouble with his family, especially with Brooks.

My eyes bore into the shapes that make up Brooks’ name as I consider him as a suspect. I don’t want to, but I’d be a fool to disregard him completely. I give myself a shake and clench my jaw so hard it hurts. No more kisses, Jude. Even I can see how stupid that is now. Hindsight is 20/20. In reality, Brooks has more to lose with his brother alive than dead. Their relationship has been disintegrating for years, and the death of their father seems to have completely buried what was left of it.

“Can I get you anything else before you head back?” For someone who’s business depends on patrons hanging around the bar, Marty seems to try to send me packing every chance she gets.

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