Willow Bend by M.D. Taverner

Author:M.D. Taverner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: love, suspense, chicago, scotland, female sleuth, grief, movies, road trip, michigan, politicians, film critic, small town murder
Publisher: M.D. Taverner

* * *

The sound of a tinny voice woke her from a brief but intense rest. The sun was up and a sweet breeze came through Gabriel’s window. They were in the drive-thru line at a donut shop.

“I’m getting breakfast. Want some?” Gabriel questioned looking out the window.

Nervous as she was, she would make herself eat. It would help her head.

“Um…sure. I’ll have a bagel with light cream cheese and a hot tea. Mara reached in her pocket and pulled out her wallet.

“I don’t need that,” he grunted. Mara raised her eyebrows. This must be his version of telling her it was his treat.

Gabriel only ordered a coffee for himself. “Is that all you’re getting?” she turned and asked.

No response. He took a sip of his coffee without waiting for it to cool and got back on the road.

“Will these road signs show the route to Chicago up until we get there?” he asked after about ten minutes of silence.

“I think so. Like I mentioned, it’s been a long time since I’ve gone but it’s pretty much a straight shot. Have you ever been?”

“No.” Another long pause. “I’ll get a hold of Hal when we get close and get directions to his place.”

“Hal is your P.I. friend?”

He nodded almost imperceptibly. Mara finished her bagel and tea and fell back asleep.

This time, she awakened to Gabriel’s voice. He was standing outside the car on a payphone.

“OK... Is it far from that point? OK… Leave your porch light on and that’ll help… Sounds good. You too. Cheers.”

He got back in the car and looked a little surprised to see Mara awake. They pulled onto the freeway. She stretched as far as the backseat would allow and stifled a yawn.

“Are you getting tired of driving? I can take the wheel for a bit so you can sleep.”

“I’m fine. We’re almost there…about a half an hour,” he replied. He handed her a slip of paper with the directions to Hal’s house on it. She noticed Gabriel’s handwriting was in neat capitals all lined up symmetrically side by side.

“When we get closer you can read this off to me if you want.”

They drove in silence for the next stretch until Mara saw the exit they wanted approaching. She pointed at it.

“This is where we want to get off.”

Gabriel made the exit and she read off a series of lefts and rights until they got to the apartment complex called Lakeside Hollow. Hal’s building was in back facing a cemetery.

“Nice view,” Mara joked. She got no response. “Which floor is he on?”

“Um…it says apartment 202 so it must be the second floor.” They climbed a squeaky metal outdoor staircase. The door at the end had the porch light on. Gabriel pointed at it.

“So how much of the story does Hal know?” Mara mumbled.

“Everything. He’s reliable,” Gabriel quipped.

It took awhile after knocking on the narrow door before any sounds of movement came from inside. It opened slowly and Mara followed Gabriel in. She saw a pair of arms throw themselves around Gabriel in a bear hug.

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