A Willing Murder (Medlar Mystery 1)

“I’m sure that’s what it was.” Jack put the popper in his mouth. He was staring at Sara but she didn’t blink.

“Wow,” Kate said to her aunt. “I wish I could lie as well as you. It’s a real talent.” For a second Sara looked like she might be offended, but then she laughed.

“Keep trying. It’s a goal you can achieve because your father could outlie any person on earth.”

“Yeah?” Kate’s eyes were wide. “Did he—?”

“Are you two ready to go or not?” Sara hurried out the front door.

“That’s all you get today,” Jack said.

“I’m collecting every piece of knowledge. Another seven or eight years and I might have an eighth of a picture of my father.”

“Better yours than mine. Help me with my crutches, will you?”

“You wish. Race you to the truck.” She ran out the door.

“Don’t touch that GPS system!” he called as he followed her out. “I don’t want to end up in Orlando.”

“Ooooh, Disney,” Kate said back to him. “Can’t wait.”

TWENTY

When they pulled into the driveway of the Morris house, the fading day showed that the back of the house was brightly lit up. “Damn it!” Jack said. “Gil must have sent the new guys. They left the lights on.”

Sara got out of the truck, her camera around her neck. “I like it. I’m going to take some photos.”

“Did you bring your flash?”

“Why would I need a flash? I have a Fuji.” She practically ran to the back, where the bright lights from inside cast eerie shadows.

“You set her up for that one,” Kate said.

“I did. Fanatics love their brands.” His crutch was caught on something at the side of the truck.

Kate got out the other side. “I’ll go get started.”

“And leave me here alone to untangle this thing?”

“Yup.” The truth was that she was curious to see what had been stored in the garage.

When she got to the door, she realized she didn’t have the key. But a narrow crack of light was coming through. Looked like the new men had forgotten to lock it.

She pushed the door open, then threw her arm up to cover her eyes. The lights were on tall stands with three big bulbs on each, and the room seemed to be full of them. Their brilliance blinded her.

She lowered her arm an inch, blinking fast as her eyes adjusted. Through the windows, she could see Jack and Sara around the tall roots of the fallen tree. She was taking photos.

Kate wanted to turn the lights off but Sara needed them.

With both her hands up, Kate walked across the room toward one of the closed bedroom doors. She was only a foot away when she halted.

Very, very slowly, she turned to her left.

In the corner of the room was a man. He was hanging from a rope around his neck. At his feet, a chair was on its side.

Kate didn’t think about what she did. She covered the distance to the man in two leaps, bent, threw her arms around his legs and did her best to lift him up. She put her head back and let out a scream that tore at her throat.

Sara and Jack were there in seconds, and they reacted quickly. Sara helped Kate hold the man up—he was quite large—while Jack lifted the chair and climbed on it, his cast-encased leg to one side. He soon had the rope undone and he managed to get off the chair without falling.