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

to the back of the bus contradicts Solardette’s version.”

“Tell me again the two versions.”

“Carolyn claims Marjorie said, ‘I am so glad we are on our way home.’ Solardette claims she said, ‘Where is the gun?’”

“Two totally different statements.”

“Yeah. No way to get them confused. I do think Solardette heard incorrectly. I don’t think anyone would break the rule and bring a gun onto the bus. At least I hope not.”

“You never know about certain people.”

“Another thing that’s got me in a quandary is Joe and Holt Junior standing outside in the cold, foggy, and misty weather chitchatting and stretching their legs. The weather was horrible that night. I can’t see anyone doing that. I didn’t see them doing that. I used the ladies’ room, then rushed back to the bus.”

“So by what you just said, it’s possible that everyone did the same thing you did—rushed back to bus, and was more focused on getting back on the bus than on their surroundings,” Gam mused.

“True, true.”

“So, what do you have?”

“My inner voice has told me that Joe and Holt Junior had a purpose for standing out there, and they weren’t standing outside by themselves. My inner voice is always right.”

“But where does this take you?”

“To two things. First, they were doing as they claimed—stretching their legs. They are both tall men and perhaps were somewhat cramped on the bus. Second, they were out there for a covert reason.”

“You’re letting your imagination run wild with that second scenario. Where is the proof?” Gam asked.

“My inner voice. They had a purpose for standing outside in horrible weather. They were not alone. So far, the people I’ve asked about seeing them didn’t see them out there. No one saw them, and no one saw anybody else standing outside.”

“Who all did you ask?”

“Lemmonee, Carolyn, Dimma, and Solardette. And I didn’t see them.”

“But Joe and Holt Junior said they were out there.”

“Exactly! Why go through the trouble to make it known?”

“Uh, in case someone noticed you out there.”

“Exactly!”

“Your deduction reasoning is on point?” Gam said, with a big smile on his face.

“Some type of covert operation was going on, but what.”

Just then, my phone rang.

“Let me get this: then we will continue.”

“Go ahead.”

“Hello.”

“Vett, it’s Jackson. How are you?”

“In good spirits. Gam and I are on the road to Roanoke to Serenity Bed, Breakfast and Dinner.”

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I thought I would telephone you as soon as possible.”

“What bad news?” My voice rose a few decibels. Gam turned and looked at me.

“There is no easy way to say this. Gwen Sonnack committed suicide.”

“She did what!”

“What’s going on, Baby,” Gam asked.

“Gwen Sonnack committed suicide,” I whispered.

“Why did she do this?” I asked Jackson.

“Nobody knows. A rumor of her suicide was floating around at the funeral this afternoon. A man from my Boaz Fields group was at the funeral and told me he heard the rumor. I confirmed it with Sheriff Hobbs.”

“Are you sure she committed suicide?”

“I’m sure.”

“When did she do this?”

“Her body was found last evening.”

“Who found the body?”

“I don’t know that yet. I’ve told you everything I know.”

“How did she commit suicide?”

“I don’t know. Sheriff Hobbs doesn’t know for sure yet, but it’s looking like an overdose of medication. It’s too soon for anybody to know much of anything yet. If I hear anything more, I’ll let you know.”

“Thanks, Jackson. I appreciate the call.”

“Lemmonee telephoned me to see how the funeral went. I gave her the news about Gwen. She said you had left Gwen several telephone messages. I had forgotten that you had. Lemmonee asked me to telephone you with the news.”

“Yeah, I did. I wanted her to corroborate information Carolyn gave me. Wow, this is so shocking. I am at a loss for words.”

“Vett, if you need me, call me. Sorry to provide you with such horrible news on your mini-vacation,” Jackson said.

“Thanks for letting me know, Jackson.”

“Enjoy your vacation, Vett.”

“Oh, by the way, how was the funeral?”

“It was as expected. Rev. Ronda gave a very comforting speech on Nancy’s behalf. The pastor’s eulogy was nice, and I think my speech went over well. Duffy will be missed. You take care, Vett.”

“One last question, did you go to the burial?”

“Yeah, I did.”

“Anyone there out of the ordinary?” I had read and heard of cases where the murderer showed up at the burial. The murderer most likely will not intermingle with family and friends but may watch from a distance. Those who have studied this phenomenon believe this is a way for the murderer to relish and relive the crime. Because I know this, when I attend burials, I’m in the habit of looking around me. It doesn’t matter whether or not the deceased was murdered.

“Always working the case, aren’t you? No one caught my eye. Some of the same people that were at the viewing last night and at the funeral today were at the burial.”

“Okay, thanks, Jackson. Take care.”

“You, too.”

While clicking off the phone, I said to Gam, “What the hell is going on?”

“Calm down, Baby. Tell me what Jackson said.”

I relayed the news to Gam exactly the way Jackson relayed it to me. He then took hold of my hand.

“What in the world is going on? I didn’t read this in Gwen. She’s not the type to commit suicide,” I lamented.

“Everything will be alright, Baby. There are tissues in the glove compartment.”

I didn’t realize I was crying.

“What other freaking thing is going to happen concerning this case,” I shouted as I opened the glove compartment, then fumbled around for the tissues.

After wiping away my tears, I said, “Gwen was a sweet woman and vivacious. You know the type I am talking about.”

“Just like my mother.”

“Exactly. Now that I think about it, she was probably your mother’s age.”

“I am sorry to hear she committed suicide.”

“I didn’t see this coming, Gam.”

“Baby, no one expected you to.”

“Now, do you believe Gwen was involved somehow?”

Instead of Gam answering me, my inner voice spoke. Gwen was involved.

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