Read Middle River Murders for Free Online

I interjected.
    “Once Pat died from what was suspected to be e-coil bacteria
after a dinner at Daisy’s house, Alice got involved. The medical examiner ruled Pat’s death as an accident brought on
by eating raw hamburger earlier that day. But Alice suspected foul play. Another member mentioned to her the
fact that Pat was served mushrooms that were different looking than what the
rest of the women were served. She said it might be nothing, but she thought it
was a little odd. Alice went to the police and told them
there was no way Pat would eat enough raw hamburger to cause her death. She
told them what she was told about the mushrooms.”
    “What did the police say?”
    “The police pretty much wrote off Alice ’s accusations. So Alice joined the club to see if she could get to the bottom of the truth. In the
meantime, another member died. This time the woman died from arsenic poisoning
and her husband’s probably going to prison for her murder. Alice met Harriett Shifflett when she joined the club and
then met Harriett’s husband, Joe, at a dinner party a while later. She said
they acted like love birds and looked like they had a great relationship. After
getting to know them a little, Alice said there was no way Joe Shifflett would
do this to his beloved wife. That’s when Alice came to me. I was recommended to her by a friend, Russ Shank.”
    “Russ?” I asked.
    “I figured if Russ sent her to me, he must think there’s
something to her allegations. He’s got better things to do than waste his
time.”
    “I see,” I said, looking at Mom. “That’s where you come in.
I’d be willing to bet you’re the newest member of the Stanardsville Social
Club, huh? Is that what you’ve been doing those nights you slipped out of the
house on the pretense you were dining with your new male friend?”
    “Eddie has a name,” Mom smirked. “He’s a fine gentleman and
your father would be glad that I’m moving on with my life.”
    I looked at Billy and then back at Mom. “I’m sorry, Mom. I’m
glad you have someone in your life. Maybe it’s time we got to know him.”
    “That’s a good idea,” Mom said. “I know he wants to see the
baby; he told me so.”
    “I guess we’d better hire a nanny, because if you two think
I’m going to sit around and wait for something bad to happen to my mother,
you’re both nuts.”
    “I’ll take the job,” Sarah said as she stepped forward.
    “Actually, that’s not a bad idea,” Mom said, and then looked
at me. “Now that you know, there’s no way we’re going to get away with not
including you, and it’s not as if it would be full time. Daisy even suggested
that I bring you to a gathering once the baby comes, and I said I would. Of
course, I didn’t really mean it. Sorry, honey. You know I don’t tell lies, but
this is different. Fabrication comes with the territory when you’re a
detective.”
    “Fabrication? I can’t believe it! Your vocabulary sure has
branched out since you became a snoop. Is that what Billy taught you? A fancy
word to describe a simple one—lies, that’s what they’re called, Mom.” I looked
at Billy. “See what you’ve done!”
    “What surprises me is that she’s so good at it,” Billy said
as he smiled at both of us. “She lies almost as well as we do.”
    “Watch your mouth, young man,” Mom said. “I’ve been telling
fibs because it’s part of the job. I tell myself it’s just a form of acting.”
She winked.
    “Welcome to our world, Mom,” I said with a grin on my face.

Chapter 4
    We let the matter rest for the time being so that Mom, Sarah and Chief Sam could
go down to the emergency room to check on Jonathan.
    “Call and give us an update,” I said as they were getting
ready to leave. “Then y’all need to go home and get some rest. Billy will be
here, won’t you?”
    “I’m not going anywhere.”
    I thought for a second, looked at Billy and then said, “Why
don’t you go ahead and go down with them?