“I heard.” I held my breath, despite his friendly, almost intimate tone. What bombshell did Agent Spencer have in his arsenal, today?
“We don’t know yet how he died. He didn’t have anything on him except his driver’s license and a motel room key. We searched the room and turned up nothing.”
I took a deep breath. “So, what does that mean?”
“It means you don’t have to worry about Townsend. He won’t be back, and unless the autopsy turns up something interesting, I’m recommending we close the case.”
“I see.” The news slowly entered my brain.
“My report is that Townsend came back empty handed from Evelynton, and is now deceased. We’ll find out later this week, how he died. He was a small-time hood and a liar. My guess is he lied to one person too many. We have only his word there were ever any photos. Most likely, he fabricated the whole story, and got caught up in it when some thug came after him.”
I didn’t care what happened to Townsend. “Marc’s name is cleared?”
“As far as I’m concerned, there is no reason to suspect your late husband of any wrongdoing. I think they were correct in the random shooting verdict, and I’m closing the case.”
“Okay. Thanks for letting me know.” My voice came out in a whisper as the strength left my body. My knees weakened. “Umm. I have to go.”
“Sure. I just wanted you to know. Maybe I’ll talk to you later. Take care.”
The line went dead, along with that part of my life.
Chapter Thirty-nine
W icker chairs on the back porch. Three women cradled hot coffee against the cool morning breeze. A cat purred in his sleep. Just a few benefits of the small town life I’d begun to love.
Anita leaned back and propped her feet up on the old wicker table. “Has Rarity hired a new hairdresser yet?”
“Not yet. She and Stacey have been working extra hours to get everyone in. Patsy’s customers still want to rehash the whole story, and Rarity has had to spend extra time with each one. They all need reassurance that Patsy really did go off the deep end and kill Earl. She admitted it to us.”
“Now that the chaos has settled, things are returning to normal. I expect Rarity will place a help wanted ad soon.”
Clair set her cup down and inspected her manicure. “How’s the writing coming? Very far along on that novel?”
“No.”
That answer was too abrupt. I’ve promised myself not to make up stories in the future. But how long will it take to get out of this one?
“Umm. I put it aside. Taking time to breathe after all the real-life drama in this town. I’m catching up on magazine articles and working on a piece for the newspaper. It’s about the Beaver Creek residents.”
“The nursing home? That’s something new for you, isn’t it?”
“It’s a first for me. I sort of fell into it by mistake, but the old people are fun to talk to. You wouldn’t believe the memories and wisdom housed in that nursing home.”
Anita placed her mug on the table and stretched her arms above her head. “It’s going to be a beautiful day. Let’s go for a picnic later. We’ll go to Firemen’s Park. They have some nice picnic tables and we can watch the children play on the playground equipment. Do you have any appointments, Clair?”
“I was going to work in the office today. My first appointment is tomorrow morning—the Cooper closing. That house was the smoothest transaction I’ve ever experienced. Everybody, who looked at it, wanted it. Paul and Missy must have been the cleanest couple ever. Every inch spotless, and not a loose screw or crooked blind in the whole place. Couldn’t even tell there’d been a car in the garage. It’s as if they were storybook people. I think they led a charmed life.”
“Things aren’t always as they seem. Sometimes perfect people are just well versed at hiding their secrets.” I took a swig of coffee to shut myself up.
Clair grinned. “Not every book is a mystery, Lauren. Sometimes it’s a love story. And those two were as close to a leading couple as you can get.”
And sometimes it’s both a mystery and a love story.
Clair sighed and directed her attention to Anita. “A picnic is a wonderful idea. I’ll take the day off.”
Two women’s faces swiveled in my direction. Even Mason lifted his head to look at me.
“I can take today off, too. I’ll make sandwiches. Who’s bringing the salad?”
The End
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