A Justified Murder (Medlar Mystery 2)

“I would imagine that you’re right,” Carl said. He closed his eyes behind the expensive designer sunglasses. It looked like his warning of Stop the Cop had had no effect.

Too bad, he thought. Really, really too bad.

* * *

The ride home from the jail was in silence. Kate wanted to talk to Jack, but she wouldn’t say anything in front of Chet. She didn’t like the way he’d acted with Tayla. What she’d said about him, that he cared only for clearing his name, seemed to be right on.

When they got home, they saw that Chet was furious. His face was red to his ears—and it was all rage.

“Are you going to help me find the kidnapper, or not?” he demanded.

“That’s what we’ve been doing,” Jack said.

Kate was glad to see that Jack’s temper didn’t match Chet’s.

The older man squinted at them as though trying to read their minds. “I’m leaving for Atlanta. I need to check out some facts. I’ll get my things later.” Turning, he went to his van and sped out of the driveway.

Inside, Kate and Jack sat down with Sara. She told of taking Zelly to a hotel and leaving her at the pool. She’d instructed the manager about bills. There were to be no parties. “I’ll send her back to Asheville as soon as...” She didn’t finish. As soon as what? Tayla was put on trial?

Sara looked at Kate and Jack. It was their turn to speak. They went over every word that had been spoken in Tayla’s jail cell. Then they told her that Chet was going away for a while. It made them breathe a sigh of relief.

“I think we should stay out of this. It’s what Tayla told us to do,” Kate said. “She seemed really afraid.”

“And leave her to the wolves? Or worse, to the lawyers?” Jack asked.

Kate looked at him. “I thought you were planning to marry Chet’s lawyer daughter.”

“I am. We can have a double wedding with you and Chris.”

“I’m holding out for Garth. We’ll dance all night.”

“Oh yeah? And who is going to sing for you?”

“Could you two please take a break?” Sara said. “The problem now is Tayla. We have to do something to help her.”

The faces of Kate and Jack said they knew she’d solve the problem.

“I do know a few lawyers. One of them deals with criminals.”

“Think he’ll take her for a client?” Kate asked.

“He likes cases that he can’t possibly win, so when he does, he’s jubilant.”

“I like him already,” Jack said. “Maybe he can get Tayla to stop telling everyone that she’s guilty.”

“Did she say anything about stabbing or shooting?” Sara asked.

“Nothing,” Kate said. “Tayla said she poisoned Janet. Swore she did it.”

“Interesting,” Sara said. “If I were writing this...”

“Yes?” Kate and Jack said in unison.

“I’d have an autopsy prove that the poison didn’t kill the victim, so Tayla would be freed.”

“So who would be punished?” Jack asked.

“I’d have to start on page one to find that out. I’d make up some really bad guys, but of course no one would know they were bad until I revealed it.”