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

a misty rain. It was awful. You could barely see your hand in front of your face.”

“People do weird things, Vett. Perhaps, after being cramped on the bus for a while, it felt good just to stand up.”

“I just can’t imagine anyone doing that on purpose in that awful weather. I stood out there alongside the bus with the other passengers waiting for Duffy and thought my butt was going to freeze off. The weather in April can be so erratic.”

“Do you think Joe and Holt Junior had a purpose for standing out there?”

And there it was. I gasped loudly. I turned and gave Gam a big kiss and a tight hug.

“Yes, my darling. I do.”

“Why would they do that?”

“I don’t know that yet. But my darling, you have been a big help,” I said as I got off his lap and began gathering my clothes from the floor.

“Vett, what’s running through your mind? What purpose would they have?”

“I don’t have the answer to that yet, but they were not standing out there enjoying the weather. You’ll be the first to know when I get the answer.”

I went to the laundry room, sorted out the clothes that were already in the hamper along with my trip clothes, then put a load of dark clothes into the washer and turned it on. On my way back to the bedroom, my walk was vigorous. I said good night to Gam. Reaching the bed, I jumped in, quickly pulling the covers over me.

I thought I had just fallen asleep when something woke me. It was a heavy thump sound. I sprang up and looked at the clock. It illuminated 1:30 am.

“Go back to sleep,” Gam said. “I didn’t mean to wake you. I dropped my book. I meant to put it on the nightstand.” He kissed me, then turned off the light on his side of the bed. Gam loved reading before going to sleep, so that was nothing unusual.

I am a bundle of nerves, I thought. I lay there trying to go back to sleep. It wasn’t happening. Soon Gam’s even breathing told me he was fast asleep. I got up furtively as not to wake him. I went into the laundry room, put the washed clothes into the dryer, and then started a load of white clothes. I went into the kitchen, poured, and drank a glass of water. I paced back and forth across the kitchen floor, waiting. Something I needed to know was formulating in my mind. I just couldn’t see it. After ten minutes of pacing, I got tired of waiting for the revelation. Giving up, I strolled back to my bedroom. I used the bathroom, then sat on the edge of the bed.

“Forget it. I’m going to sleep,” I said out loud.

As I lifted my feet to get into bed, my inner voice spoke: they weren’t standing outside by themselves.

CHAPTER 13

Today is Wednesday, April 12, and I owe Jackson a status report. My state of mind was much better than when I first got into bed last night. I jumped out of bed, did my morning body cleansing routine, dressed in sweats, walked thirty minutes on the treadmill, and then went to the kitchen for breakfast.

Gam had made coffee before he left for work. I poured a cup, then put a bowl of oatmeal and milk in the microwave. After the microwave bell went off, I added raisins and cinnamon. I took my coffee and oatmeal to my office and ate while I made a list of my discoveries for Jackson. I knew he didn’t want a written report, but I wanted to be sure I captured all the things I wanted to provide him. A list of these things would keep me on track and help keep out of my mind the things I didn’t want to tell him yet. I wrote the following in no particular order:

Solardette heard Marjorie whisper to Carolyn and Gwen, “Where is the gun now?”

This murder was planned. The bus being at the Jefferson Springtop exit when it was there is directly related to the murder.

Several people mentioned that Duffy drank too much, was a womanizer, and was not well-liked.

Lanta, in her youth, dated Ms. Lacecap’s brother. It is rumored they were hot and heavy back then, and she still maintains a close relationship with him. It is rumored she slept with other Black men as well.

Marjorie, Rebbie, Carolyn, and Gwen all live in the same zip code but appeared not to know each other during the trip nor make the zip code connection known among them.

Duffy wanted a baby, but it appeared that his wife Nancy did not.

The murderer must have known Duffy’s bus routes and bus rest stops.

Nancy and a slender White man embraced each other with a passionate kiss.

Nancy didn’t like Jackson. She thinks he is going to cheat her out of Duffy’s insurance money.

Marjorie didn’t live on the street she gave Brightness as her residence address.

Jackson has dirt on Sheriff Hobbs.

Joe and Holt Junior said they were standing outside in the cold, foggy, and misty weather chitchatting. Why would anyone do that?

After preparing the list, I first called Aunt Clove.

“Hey, Vett. I was wondering when I would hear from you today. How are you?”

“I’m fine. How are you?”

“I’m good. The restaurant is good. Leigh, one of the waitresses, gave notice.”

“Weren’t you already down one wait person?” Aunt Clove was the head chef and managed the wait staff, assistant chef, and the kitchen.

“Yeah, but I’ve been interviewing and a have a person in mind and an alternate. Now, I will just hire them both.”

“Good, good. I don’t want our excellent customer service to suffer because our staff numbers are down.”

“It won’t. You know I can wait tables if I have to, but it won’t come to that.”

“You are so resilient, Aunt Clove.”

“And so are you. Now, what’s going on with your case?”

“I’ve received puzzle pieces, but nothing concrete yet. I’ll talk to you more