Sequestered with the Murderers by Dr. Tanner (books for 8th graders TXT) 📕

“No, not yet. It will be your word against Marjorie and those two ladies, and you could have heard wrong.”

“Vett, I didn’t hear wrong. Busy-body Marjorie asked the ladies, ‘Where is the gun now?’”

“Who were the two ladies?”

“Carolyn and Gwen. You know, the two spry older Black ladies who were asking all those questions about our investment group. I don’t remember their last names, but I know you know who I am talking about.”

I knew. Their last names were Broadbent and Sonnack, respectively. One of the things about being a detective is that I remember people’s full names and all sorts of information about them. Some useful, some not. I guessed their ages to be in the early seventies, even though they had a lot of energy, vigor, and high spirits.

“I know who you are talking about, Solardette. This information is very curious. Did you hear anything else?”

“No, Vett. The rest of the whispering was too low. I didn’t think they knew each other. During the entire trip, I only saw them socializing together one time. In fact, now that I think about it, their behavior was like they didn’t know each other. They kept their distance from each other, except for that one time. Don’t you find it weird to be whispering to someone you didn’t socialize with but once during the entire tour?”

“I don’t remember them socializing but once, either. It’s almost like a conscientious effort was made not to be seen together. Well, I’m going to hold this information under my hat until after I meet with Jackson and the board of directors on Monday morning. I’ll call you after the meeting. So for now, get some sleep and don’t worry about it. I will look into it and keep you abreast.”

“Thanks, Vett. I knew I could count on you. I don’t know about getting some sleep. This murder and being sequestered in that dreadful weather will stay with all of us for some time to come. It’s good to know you are on the case. I’ll talk to you on Monday.”

“Take care, Solardette. Bye for now.”

What a weird turn of events. I didn’t get overly excited because, as with all my cases, the puzzle eventually comes together. The unique gift I have allows me to see and know things that others do not. This knowledge comes to me through revelations. And the revelations come direct from people or direct to me. Solardette had been used to reveal to me that the sequestering is directly related to the murder. The puzzle pieces were beginning to come before me. My investigative acuity was on fire and ready to start the hard work.

I turned off my computer, then called Aunt Clove to provide her with details about my trip to Serenity and to get an update on my restaurant. We spoke for ten minutes. There were no problems concerning the restaurant as I knew there wouldn’t be in her most capable hands. After hanging up the phone, I quickly walked into the kitchen. I hadn’t eaten breakfast, and my stomach was making a big fuss about it.

CHAPTER 4

On Sunday at 1:00 pm, I backed out of my driveway and drove toward US interstate 58 west, which would take me to interstate 77 north, and then interstate 81 south, on into Attribute. I had called Jackson at 9:00 am and estimated that I would be in Attribute between 4:00 pm and 4:30 pm. He said he would make a reservation for me at the Attribute Hotel, three blocks down the street from Brightness’s office.

I had told Aunt Clove yesterday afternoon that it was a possibility I would not be back into the restaurant until Tuesday or Wednesday. After speaking with Jackson, I called her and confirmed that I would be out of town on a new case and that I would call her once I knew for sure the date I would be back.

The traffic was light, but there seem to be more tractor-trailer trucks on the road than I remember. I had a case in Martinsville three years ago and don’t remember tractor-trailers passing me as frequently as they were today. Other than the truckers zooming by, it was a nice ride. The morning had begun with a light drizzling rain. It had stopped, and now the sky held a gray overcast that looked like a storm would present itself in due time. My Jeep thermometer registered sixty-one degrees, but the chill in the air felt more like fifty-one. The mist and fog of Friday night had dissipated, and I prayed it stayed that way for the duration of my trip.

I always feel an affinity for others traveling at odd hours as I do. To me, 1:00 pm on a Sunday is an odd hour to travel. At this time, families should be getting home from church and enjoying a nice lunch together. Some of the drivers that passed by me were eating fast food or sipping on a drink. I assumed there was no family Sunday afternoon meal waiting for these individuals. They were on their way to work or to somewhere that necessitated a meal before arriving.

I was in my own world reflecting on the information that had been revealed to me by Solardette when a car jetted past me with its music volume turned high. It then weaved in and out of traffic for a bit. The music jolted me. I weaved my Jeep slightly, but I didn’t lose control. The jolt did something else, too. It delivered one of those moments that I have from time to time where I see the joy in my life. I was happy, physically fit, and in good health. I was married to a man who had given me a lifetime of love in just a short amount of time, and he was the light of my life. I had inherited a large sum of money from my Great Aunt Hannah,