Killer Reads: A Collection of the Best in Inspirational Suspense

by Luana Ehrlich

  Sara dropped into a chair across from her aunt. “I’m not sure this is representative of the five major food groups, but two out of five isn’t bad.”

  Maddie laughed. “Beatrice has been on a baking spree. I’m certainly not complaining.” Beatrice and her husband, Pete, took care of the house and grounds.

  “Nor am I.” Sara leaned back in the chair gazing out over the garden. Autumn hadn’t yet dimmed its color. Dew-kissed roses of brilliant red and gold, filled the morning air with their sweetness. Her reverie broke when Maddie asked, “Are you going out? It’s a little early for the bus meeting, isn’t it?”

  “I want to get an early start. I’d like to visit Lily and Sam when I’m finished, see if there’s anything I can do for them.”

  “I’m glad you’re going. They always love to see you. I’m sure they’ll appreciate it, especially now.”

  She reached across the table to touch Maddie’s hand. “What are your plans today?”

  “Don’t worry about me. I have some textbooks to look over for the school board. That’ll keep me busy most of the morning. Speaking of which, I’d better get started if I’m to return the books by Monday.”

  Sara’s thoughts flashed back to her job status. After she’d cooled down, she realized Roger hadn’t terminated her. At least not yet. If he’d fired her, security would have followed her to her desk, then escorted her out of the building. She’d have to tell Maddie soon. But not until she had more information.

  With a last sip of tea, Sara followed her aunt inside. Maddie turned into the library and sat at her electronic reader, a first cousin to the microfiche scanner technology that made even the smallest print easy for her to read.

  “See you later,” Sara called, then hurried to her car.

  ****

  Church visitations failed to lift her spirits as they usually did. Mixed emotions about Penny had heightened her concern for two of her favorite bus children. Danny and Poppy Morgan had missed church last Sunday, and they weren’t at home when she stopped by today. The trailer-park manager said the family had moved without leaving a forwarding address.

  That in itself wasn’t unusual. Bus kids were often transient, but that didn’t stop her from worrying. Perhaps they’d moved to another mobile home park. She kept her eyes open, hoping to see them, but no luck. News of Penny’s death had spooked her. Predators lurked everywhere.

  No child was safe in today’s crazy world.

  At five o’clock, she arrived home after a short visit with the Pryors. Only time could heal their wounds but she’d offered what consolation she could. At least they now had closure.

  “You’d better hurry, dear. Dinner starts at seven o’clock,” Maddie called as Sara entered the foyer.

  No! That couldn’t be tonight. With all that happened, she’d forgotten about the banquet, the gala honoring the town’s restoration. “I’m headed to the shower right now.”

  “Did you see Sam and Lily?”

  “Yes, I just left there.”

  “How are they doing?”

  Sara stopped at the bottom step. “They’re coping, but it’s hard. I’m sure it’s almost as bad as when Penny first vanished. I think they’d held out hope she was alive somewhere.”

  Sara hurried upstairs, wanting nothing more than to fall into bed, but that wouldn’t happen. If she begged off, Maddie would ask questions. They’d bought tickets months ago, and invited guests.

  After her shower, Sara hurried to her closet to consider her dress choices for the evening. She soon realized the dinner’s black and white theme left her only two options. After a moment, she selected a black crepe evening dress with a Grecian neckline that would be comfortable. When finished with her hair and makeup, she slipped into the dress and went downstairs to see if Maddie needed help.

  Maddie smiled when Sara entered her room. “Well, am I sufficiently coordinated? Shoes matched, no lipstick smears or mascara smudges?”

  “Everything’s fine. You look lovely.”

  Weeks ago, Sara offered Don Tompkins a ticket to the banquet and he accepted. It wasn’t exactly a blind date for Maddie. But she might like him. Her aunt was still an attractive woman. Heaven knew after a disastrous marriage, Maddie deserved a break. Neither Sara nor her aunt had made stellar choices for husbands.

  “Is Jeffery Hayden your escort tonight?” Maddie’s question brought Sara back into the moment.

  Sara laughed. “Yes, he invited himself a month ago while we were having lunch.”

  Maddie turned to face her. “Well, he’s certainly one of the most attractive young men I’ve seen. Do you see this relationship going anywhere?”

  “Handsome, yes, but he’s about as deep as a salad plate.” Sara sat on the edge of the dressing table and shook her head. “We have too little in common. Jeff has no opinions about anything. That’s dull. You know me, I have opinions about everything.”

  Maddie squeezed her hand. “That you do. Your passion is one of the things I love most about you.”

  Maddie’s question reverberated through Sara’s mind. She’d promised herself never to make another bad marriage—once in a lifetime was quite enough.

  CHAPTER 9

  Twin Falls Country Club

  Country club manager, Shannon Connelly, eased behind the long bar and ran a finger along the polished mahogany grain. Brass fixtures gleamed in the subdued lighting. She mentally ticked off a checklist of stock under the counter and held several of the stemware to the light. No spots, as it should be. After completing the bar inspection, she moved on to the dining room.

  Tonight’s black-and-white theme carried throughout, from crisp, white linen tablecloths to the black-striped dining room chairs. Fan-folded napkins, fastened with bright, silver rings, matched the pattern on the chairs. White bone china gleamed next to sparkling Waterford crystal. A centerpiece of white roses sat on each table, blending seamlessly into the stark background.

  Guests arriving at the entrance, drew Shannon’s attention. Down the main hallway, she spotted Matt Foley, gazing into the trophy case. A man’s man if ever she’d met one. He wheeled and maneuvered his tall frame through the crowd in her direction, with the easy grace of an athlete, smooth and confident. Shannon stood at the end of the bar and propped an elbow against the smooth surface. “You look sharper than my mother-in-law’s tongue, Matt. I love a man in a tuxedo. May I buy you a drink?”

  “Thank you, ma’am, and yes, you may. I’ll wait here until the crowd at the dining room entrance thins a bit.”

  Matt took a seat, and Shannon skirted behind the bar. “What’ll it be?”

  He pointed to a green bottle. “Water on the rocks, with lime.”

  Shannon grinned, filled a glass with ice and set both on a napkin. “I shouldn’t even let you sit at my bar, Matthew Foley. You’re an embarrassment to the police chiefs of America. No self-respecting cop drinks water when he’s off duty.” She teased him, but she knew he had an aversion to alcohol, because of his uncle’s addiction to the fruit of the vine.

  Matt raised the glass in a mock toast. “To each his own.”

  Pulling a cloth from under the counter, Shannon wiped the surface. “Date tonight? I only ask because I consider myself your best girl.”

  Matt laughed and shook his head. “No date. And you would be my best girl if it weren’t for that pesky husband of yours.”

  She fluttered her eyelashes. “That offer is almost too tempting to turn down. Let me think about this for a moment. I trade a short, balding, loveable fuzzball like my Colin for a rich, good-looking cop. Sounds like a good swap.” She shook her head. “But it took me years to train my main man. I have the feeling you wouldn’t be as easy to manage.”

  Matt stared into his glass for a moment, and then shifted his gaze towards the hallway. “Tell me about the trophy in the display.”

  Shannon leaned across the bar. “I’m surprised you never noticed it before.”

  He gave a slight shrug. “I don’t have occasion to spend a lot of
time standing in the hallway. When the crowd stalled tonight, I saw Mary’s picture.”

  Shannon inhaled a deep breath. “Two years ago, the day Mary died, Sara Bradford and Dina Lambert played for the club singles tennis championship. Sara came here that morning after Mary passed away. I wish you could have seen the match. It was something to behold.”

  A small smile tugged at the corner of Matt’s lips. “Mary used to come home after her doubles match with Sara, giggling like a school girl. They apparently annoyed Dina and her sister with their joking around. I don’t think Mary and Sara ever won a match. They enjoyed irritating Dina as much as playing tennis.”

  Shannon refilled his glass. “Oh, yes. Dina takes her tennis seriously, and the girl has a mean streak a mile wide. I don’t know if Mary mentioned it to you, but Dina spread some ugly gossip at the club, that...” She hesitated. “I’m not sure if I should say this or not.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Since when have you been afraid to tell me anything?”

  She laughed. “Since never. Dina told everyone that you married Mary for her money.”

  The muscles in Matt’s jaw clenched but he didn’t reply.

  The buzz of conversation in the room lowered, and Shannon’s eyes riveted to the club doorway. “Speak of the devil.” Dina and Senator Lambert stood at the entrance. Dina paused on the top step until all eyes turned her way. Her white, beaded gown emphasized every well-proportioned curve, and silver-blonde curls floated above deeply tanned shoulders.

  Shannon leaned in and whispered, “Our Dina certainly knows how to make an entrance, doesn’t she? She always was the theatrical type, even in high school.”

  Matt glanced at Shannon, a question in his eyes. “I didn’t know you went to school with Dina Lambert. I take it she wasn’t your best buddy.”

  “You might say that. She, Sara, and I went through school together. We were in the same grade. Dina was the cheerleader, Sara the brain with a photographic memory, and I was the class clown.”

  A laugh burst from Matt’s throat, almost spewing his drink. “I would never have guessed you were the class clown. What, in particular didn’t you like about Dina, other than her vicious tongue?”

  Shannon gave the bar another swipe. “She’s too self-absorbed. Dina’s favorite subject is Dina. The only positive thing I can say about her is she’s quite a talented tennis player. Could probably have gone professional if she’d stayed with it. Apparently, it was easier to marry Senator Lambert. Instant social success.” Shannon turned her gaze back to Matt. “I suppose that sounds a bit catty.”

  Matt set his glass on the napkin and held his thumb and forefinger a slight distance apart. “Just a tad.”

  Colin Connelly stepped up behind Matt and slapped him on the back, then leaned in to place a kiss on Shannon’s cheek. “You hittin’ on my wife?”

  Matt chuckled. “Actually, she’s hitting on me.”

  “That I can believe.” Colin slid onto the barstool next to Matt.

  “Tell me about the game,” Matt said.

  “What game?” Colin asked.

  Shannon reached across and straightened his bow tie. “When Sara played Dina for the club singles championship.”

  One of the bartenders took over behind the bar, and Shannon moved to the empty barstool on the other side of Matt. “Before the tournament started, people were betting on the match, with Dina a heavy favorite, of course. But there was something different about Sara that day―”

  “I’ll say there was,” Colin said.

  Shannon silenced him with an I’m-telling-this-story glance. “Sara’s first two serves were aces. She took over the court like a pro and never let up. I don’t think Dina knew what hit her. Sara won the first set, six-two.

  “Sara began to tire in the second set, and Dina won seven-six. The third set started and Sara took over again and took the set six-zero. The stands erupted with cheers, a no-no at tennis tournaments. But not many people liked Dina.”

  Colin took over the tale. “When they presented the cup to Sara, she dedicated it to Mary, telling the crowd she had passed away that morning.” His voice lowered. “It’s been in the club trophy case ever since.”

  Shannon patted Matt’s shoulder and gave Colin a buzz on the cheek. She called over her shoulder as she walked away. “I’ve got to go play hostess. You guys stay out of trouble.”

  Dredging up the memory brought a lump to Shannon’s throat. Sara had confided later, “I planned to forfeit the match, but after Mary’s death, I was filled with such an enormous mixture of anger and sorrow. I wanted somehow to honor her. Winning the championship for her seemed fitting. And, in a very uncharitable way, I wanted to get back at Dina for every unkind word she ever said to Mary―hit Dina where it hurt most, in her pride. Even more than that, I wanted to win for Mary. With God’s help, I did it. I knew Mary would be watching.”

  ****

  Mary had never told Matt about Dina’s rude remarks, but that was like her. She didn’t dwell on negatives. The day she died had been the worst day of his life. He’d held Mary’s hand as she drew her last breath. The scene squeezed his heart until he couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think about that now. The memory was still too raw.

  As the evening wore on, he spotted Sara Bradford leaving her table and he excused himself from his table companions. He strode into the aisle to intercept her.

  With a cop’s eye for detail, he noted the slender form. She didn’t look like someone who had escaped death barely twenty-four hours ago. Dark hair swept up emphasized her classic bone structure and the olive tones of her skin. He had serious reservations about her character, but had to admit she was the most attractive woman in the room.

  As he drew near, she glanced up and her spine stiffened like a cat facing a pit bull.

  “Sara, may I speak to you for a moment?”

  She stopped, her gaze hard. “Is that an official request, Chief Foley?”

  Heat bubbled just under the surface, despite his effort to suppress it. “No, but I can make it one. I’d hoped not to have to use handcuffs.”

  She had the grace to blush, and her tone lost its edge. “That won’t be necessary. I returned your call Friday, but you had already gone for the day.”

  The aisle became crowded, and he guided her to a nearby alcove. “I’d like some of your time tomorrow, around one-thirty at the station, if that’s convenient. I wouldn’t ask you to come on Sunday, but it’s important.”

  She consented with a reluctant nod. “Sunday will be fine.”

  Matt nodded. “Great, I’ll see you then.”

  Later, as he left the country club, Matt stopped once more at the lobby display. In the enclosed case, beside the trophy and Mary’s picture, sat a framed poem, written by Sara Bradford. His throat constricted as he read the words.

  Mary Stanton Foley

  Mary, a name known over the world,

  A name given to many girls.

  Name of the mother of the Savior of all.

  And a repentant sinner, Magdalene so called.

  The name of a wife, cherished and dear,

  A friend and confidante over the years.

  Someone to count on when things went wrong,

  Hands that could comfort, firm and strong.

  A daughter, a sister, and friend as well,

  Her death brought sorrow words cannot tell.

  Mary, a name as soft as an angel’s kiss.

  I wonder if you knew how much you’d be missed.

  Matt punched his hands into his pockets and turned away. Was it possible the woman who penned those words could have killed her husband in cold-blood?

  CHAPTER 10

  Twin Falls Police Station

  Sara pulled into the visitors parking lot a little before one-thirty, and turned into the space nearest the door. She blew out a heavy breath, glad she’d finished the bus route. The job had its rewards, but it could be tiring. The emptiness in her stomach didn’t help. There’d been no time to grab a bite at a drive-t
hrough before her appointment with Matt.

  Nerves tightened like violin strings over her meeting. Matt could at least have given her a hint as to the topic. Questions about the explosion? Perhaps news on Josh’s murder? Could they have found the hit-and-run driver after all this time?

  Truth to tell, she had her own agenda.

  She exited the car and walked towards the station entrance. Halfway to the double doors, the sprinklers snapped on. Despite a sprint the rest of the way, by the time she reached the lobby, she looked like a hurricane refugee.

  Inside the station, Sara strode up to the desk, shoes squishing with each step. “I have an appointment with Chief Foley.”

  The sergeant, safely ensconced behind bulletproof glass, tried to hide a grin. “Sorry about that sprinkler, ma’am. It must have short-circuited in the thunderstorm Friday. It’s been popping off and on for no apparent reason all day. Our engineer is on his way to fix it. Have a seat and I’ll tell the chief you’re here.”

  Last night had been her first conversation with Matt Foley since Mary’s death. Memories of the night her husband died came rushing back.

  On that painful evening, Sara and Maddie sat in the library. Josh had called to say he’d be home for dinner. When he hadn’t arrived by seven o’clock, and she couldn’t reach him on his cell phone, she and Maddie dined alone. Just another broken promise.

  Later that evening, the doorbell chimed. Thinking Josh forgot his key, she opened the door and stepped back, surprised to find Matt Foley’s large form filling the entrance. His SUV and a black-and-white squad car sat in the circular drive.

  “Hi, Matt. What brings you out? Is Mary all right?”

  “She’s fine. This isn’t about Mary. Is there someplace we can talk?”

  She moved aside for him to enter. “Sure. Maddie and I were just having tea in the library.”

  He radiated tension, and a nervous flutter swam through her stomach. She led him down the hallway to the library and offered a chair.