Page 39 of June's First Murder
"Okay, buddy," Sara Lee said, zipping the carrier closed while Mister Smee continued to stare towardwhere he'd been hunting. "Time to go home and leave the mice in peace."
June smiled as they gathered their things and headed for the door. "Thank you," she called to the clerk, who barely looked up from her phone.
As they stepped out into the early afternoon sunshine, June shared her conversation with Horace… his grief and anger, his relief at Raymond's death, and the mysterious threat Raymond had made about Petunia.
"So what do you think?" Sara Lee asked as they walked home, Pippi trotting contentedly beside them. "About the judge?"
June was quiet for a moment, watching the familiar streets of Meadowlark Creek pass by. "I think Horace is telling the truth about one thing… he didn't kill his brother. But I also think he may be hiding something about Petunia. Something Raymond knew or threatened to expose."
June's expression was thoughtful. "He's protecting her. The question is, what was he protecting her from?"
Sara Lee shifted Mister Smee's carrier to her other hand. He was now meowing, no doubt upset he didn’t catch a mouse. "So, where does that leave us?"
"It leaves us with the knowledge that Horace is many things. Proud, complicated, grieving, and protective. But I don’t believe he’s a killer.”
The real question was, could they say the same about his wife?
16
SARA LEE
The sun was warm on Sara Lee's face as she and Nana June walked back toward their home. Pippi trotted contentedly between them, and Mister Smee was peeking out of his backpack carrier.
Sara Lee's mind was still churning over everything Nana June had learned from the judge… his genuine grief mixed with relief, the taunting threat about Petunia, and that detail about him walking his dog at ten o'clock in the park when he’d said he was at home. And then she thought of the real estate.
"What are you thinking about?" Nana June asked, glancing over at her.
"Everything. All the things. How do we figure any of this out?"
Nana June's expression was thoughtful. "Slowly and methodically. We listen, observe, and allow people to talk. Then… eventually, we should see patterns."
“Time for a tea-time clue review?”
“Oh, yes. A cup of tea with sandwiches would be delightful!”
They turned onto Maple Street, the houses lining the road picture-perfect with their manicured lawns and flower beds. Sara Lee loved this part of Meadowlark Creek and Nana June’s house the best.
They both looked up to see Lucy walking toward them, dressed in yoga pants and a fitted athletic top, her hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail. She carried a casual bag over her shoulder and looked effortlessly put-together even in workout clothes and large sunglasses.
"Lucy," Nana June greeted warmly.
Lucy's smile was pleasant, if not practiced and a little forced. She stopped a few feet away from them, and Pippi immediately moved forward to sniff her shoes with great interest. Lucy looked down, and her lips pinched together tightly as her breathing hitched. She lifted her gaze back to them. “Ms. June. Sara Lee.”
“It’s nice to see you, Lucy,” Nana June continued. “Just out for a walk today?”
"I… I needed to clear my head by taking a brisk walk."
"That sounds lovely," Sara Lee said.
Lucy walked closer, her sunglass-covered gaze keeping them from seeing more of her expression. She pointed her finger, first at Nana June and then waggled it toward Sara Lee. "You two have been making a lot of visits around town."
Sara Lee felt heat creep up her neck.
"What is there to be curious about? Raymond?” Lucyscoffed, the sound almost choking her. “Sometimes death just happens."
"Of course it does," Nana June said, her countenance as calm as ever. "But it seems his legacy was many hurt feelings and anger."
For just a few seconds, Lucy looked down at Pippi still sniffing her shoes, her expression frozen before she swallowed deeply. Sara Lee could have sworn the woman was trying not to cry. Then she looked back up and continued. "Hurt and anger," Lucy repeated, her tone low. “What a pitiful legacy.” She then lifted her head and adjusted her bag over her arm. "By the way, if you want to look for some excitement, try looking a little closer to home."
