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

love investigating, and I love my restaurant.”

“Do you still hunt? Joe and Holt Junior are zealous hunters.”

“I don’t hunt anymore. I do understand their love for it.”

“Said by a true hunter.”

“Absolutely. What did you learn from the Lacecap police reports?”

“A lot of the information in the reports was redacted. The name of the husband and wife joggers who found Diantha’s body is blacked out. I need to talk to them. Can you get their names?”

Talking to them would give me information from someone who was there. People like these two usually saw more than they think they saw. However, a ten year span can eradicate the senses. Nevertheless, it is worth a try to get them to recall details they may have overlooked.

“I’m sure I can. I must say you are thorough. You leave no stone unturned, do you? It wouldn’t surprise me if you called me tomorrow saying you have solved the whole thing.”

“Well, thank you for the vote of confidence. However, I’m afraid I need a few more puzzle pieces to fit together before that happens.

“This has been a good chat. You are close. I can feel it. What else do you need from me?”

“What do you know about the park where Diantha’s body was found?”

“I’ve forgotten the name of the park, but it is the biggest park in Envyton County.”

“It was Mystical Rock State Park. Her body was found down an embankment on the edge of Mystical Pond. The report said not many people were in the park during the time she was found. Only the joggers saw Diantha’s body.”

“What day was it?”

“It was a Sunday around 10:17 am.”

“I would assume that most people were in Sunday school at that time. Envyton County is a church-going county. I know of the park. I’ve not heard of any other murders taking place there. From what I’ve heard, the park is well-favored by the county residents. What does this have to do with Duffy’s murder?”

“Nothing that I know of yet. You’re probably right about why the park was not heavily visited on a Sunday morning. I don’t have any more information to provide. Gam and I leave for our mini-vacation tonight. I’ll be back home Monday, so I’ll call you on Tuesday.”

“Enjoy yourself. I’ll talk to you on Tuesday.”

“I will. Say hello to Kasper for me.

“Will do. Bye, Vett.

I hung up and immediately called Dimma. I had promised her an update before I went on vacation.

“Hi, Dimma. It’s Vett.”

“Hey, Vett. Are you all packed?”

“I am, and I am keeping to my word of giving you an update on my murder case before I go on vacation.”

“I’m thrilled. One of the news channels last night gave a brief update on the murder. Did you see it?”

“Afraid not. I was at Duffy’s viewing. What did it say?”

“Nothing that you haven’t already told me. The police are asking anyone with any information to please come forward.”

“This tells me that they are nowhere near solving the case.”

“What have you learned since we last spoke?” Dimma asked.

After providing Dimma with an update, she wanted to know who I was contacting next. This was the same question I had asked myself.

“I’m going to contact Fern Rivers. She’s the detective assigned to the Diantha Lloyd murder case. There is a connection to Duffy there. I just don’t know what it is yet.”

“Are you saying you think Duffy murdered Diantha?”

“I’m not quite sure what I am saying yet, but I do have a question for you. On the night of the murder, do you remember seeing Joe McClain and Holt Pruitt, Jr. standing outside near the restrooms chitchatting? They said they were out there for a bit stretching their legs.”

“Vett, I don’t remember seeing anyone. I hurried in and out of the ladies’ room. A lot of good that did me. I still had to stand in the cold for a bit. I understand why Lemmonee didn’t want to unlock the door right away, but I wish she had.”

“She was just trying to follow protocol.”

Dimma and I talked for twenty minutes longer, then said our goodbyes. Aunt Clove, Solardette, and my parents were expecting a telephone call from me. I called Solardette next.

“Hello.”

“Hi, Solardette. It’s Vett.”

“Hi, Vett. How are you?”

“I’m fine. I don’t have any answers on the case yet. I do have a question for you.”

“Okay. What is it?”

“On the night of the murder, do you remember seeing Joe McClain and Holt Pruitt, Jr. standing outside near the restrooms chitchatting? They said they were out there for a bit stretching their legs.”

“Hmm, let me think. No, I don’t remember that. They could have been out there, but I don’t remember seeing them. Is this important?”

“Yes, it is. I’m trying to corroborate their story.”

“Vett, I wish I could be more helpful. I just don’t remember seeing them out there.”

“That’s not a problem. Someone will remember seeing them.”

“I am sure someone will.”

“Thanks, Solardette. I’ll call you when I get more information. Have a good day.”

“Bye, Vett.”

Next, I called Aunt Clove, then my parents, speaking to each for ten minutes. When I finished with the phone calls, I ate a late lunch. I then finished packing my clothes, setting my overnight bag by the front door. I then dressed for my trip. For the remainder of the afternoon, I worked on my vision board with the name Whirley swimming around in my head. I was rereading my board for the umpteenth time when I heard Gam open the front door and enter.

“Baby, I’m home. Let’s roll. I’m ready to roll.”

“I’m ready. My overnight bag is by the door.”

I grabbed my handbag and bag with my case files, then met Gam at the front door.

CHAPTER 18

The drive to Serenity Bed, Breakfast and Dinner only takes one hour and forty-five minutes to two hours, depending on the traffic. We had only been on the road for ten minutes when I burst forth with, “Gam, have you ever heard the name, Whirley.”

“No, I don’t think I’ve ever heard