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

let the police officer know you were going to the store?”

“He wasn’t there when I left. The drug store is right down the street. It didn’t take long to get there. The police are out front now.”

“The officer probably had to take a call earlier. I should be back by 3:30 pm. If I’m going to be delayed, I’ll call you. I love you.”

“I love you, too. Have fun.”

“Bye, Baby.”

I read until Gam returned, putting the case entirely out of my mind. When he walked into the lobby, he immediately walked over to me and gave me a big hug. We then walked up the stairs together to our room. We took a shower together, dressed, and then lay across the bed.

“Baby, we are in for a treat tonight,” Gam said, reading the menu. “Listen to this: creamy asparagus soup, crispy tender and juicy pork chops, hearty roasted potatoes, tender petite green peas with a light buttercream sauce, and savory peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream.”

“We both are going to wobble home,” I said.

“It’s worth it,” Gam replied.

We lay across the bed until dinner time.

CHAPTER 23

On Monday morning, we packed our overnight bags before going downstairs to breakfast. The breakfast was delicious and fulfilling as to be expected. After breakfast, we snuggled together on the front porch with a cup of hot coffee, enjoying the morning view of spring coming alive. Blooming flowers—daffodils, tulips, and crocuses—were all around the building and in designated spaces in the parking lot. Trees with budding leaves coming back to life swayed in the light breeze. A burst of green everywhere unmarred by summer, fall, and winter glistened as the sun rays danced on it.

At noon, we headed up the stairs to our room to get our overnight bags, ready to checkout and head for the last stop on our mini-vacation before heading home. After getting our overnight bags, we said our goodbyes to Haiden.

“Come back soon,” Haiden said.

“We will,” I replied.

It was a bittersweet moment. Haiden had been so accommodating, the food was delicious, the scenery was gorgeous, and the room had been perfect for two love bugs to share their love away from the hustle and bustle of life. I wish we could stay longer, but I had a case to solve, and Gam had to get back to work.

Outside of the city limits, the Outlet Mall called our names. It does this every time we are near one. And of course, we accept the invitation. This mall was our last stop on our mini- vacation. Gam and I both love shopping and spent two hours walking through the mall. I bought three scarves, and he bought two on-sale workout outfits. After shopping, we ate at Hotdogs, Hamburgers and More. Though the food quenched our hungry, it was no way as good as the food we ate at Serenity.

Back in the car, on the way home, Gam said, “Baby, that walk through the mall was good for me. All that food I ate, I need more than a round of golf to work it off.”

“I hear you. The food was good. We can get back on track tonight with our exercising.”

“Don’t you have to call Jackson tonight?”

“No, it’s tomorrow.”

“What are you going to tell him?”

“I don’t have much. It would be good, I think, to look at everything from the beginning and make a judgment of where I am.”

“Go ahead. Talk it out. I’ll listen.”

“Well, I’ve been thinking about the .22 caliber handgun used to murder Duffy.”

“What about it?”

“Why a .22? Isn’t it considered the weakest of handguns? Why not a more powerful handgun?”

“Baby, any gun has the possibility to take a human life.”

“I know, but if you are planning to murder someone, wouldn’t you want a more powerful weapon to be absolutely sure the death takes place.”

“Not necessarily. Perhaps, this is the only gun the perpetrator had.”

“Is it considered reliable?”

“Do you not trust the .22 Smith and Wesson Magnum revolver I bought you?” Gam asked.

“I do, but you brought it for me for protection, to defend myself when needed.”

“I did, but I wouldn’t have bought it for you if I didn’t believe in its capability and reliability. Your trainer believes in it and supports you carrying that caliber handgun.”

“You’re right. I’m spending my wheels here. It’s just, uh, shooting someone seven times with a .22 seems excessive when you could have shot Duffy with a much more powerful gun once in the chest and been done with it.”

“Perhaps, the choice of guns has more to do with who was doing the shooting. A .22 is easy to use, easy to buy, and easy to train someone to use. Didn’t you find the training easy?” Gam asked.

“I did. And I like the smallness of the gun. Easy to conceal.”

“Think back to your training. What did you like best about the .22?

“Easy to handle, light recoil, easy to shoot competently fast.”

“That was one of the things that sold me on the gun—quick to bring into action.”

“I remember my trainer telling me a .22 was good for someone who has a hard time controlling or even holding a gun.”

“That was you. You were so nervous. You had never held a gun before. You were a scaredy-cat.”

“Yeah, yeah. Are you calling me a coward?” I teased.

“Not anymore. You have conquered your fright of handguns.”

“You know Gam, my trainer also said a .22 is good for anyone having trouble holding a heavier handgun or anyone with unsteady or damaged hands such as arthritis.”

“So what is this telling you?”

“The murderer may have been a newbie. The murderer may have just learned to shoot a gun and chose a .22 because of the ease of learning to use it and all the other advantages we just talked about,” I said.

“Now you are getting somewhere. From what I know, it is a rare .22 that is difficult to learn to use and operate.”

“And you know what, the police not finding any spent casings supports my belief