A Justified Murder (Medlar Mystery 2)

ids,” Jack said.

“That’s what everyone thought about you.” Laughing, Heather left the house.

The boys had gone to Jack’s room so the three were alone.

“You didn’t leave your spare truck keys in your room, did you?” Sara asked.

“Locked them in Kate’s jewelry drawer and I put the key back where she hid it.”

“You did what?”

“How about the door into the garage?” Sara asked.

“Bolted from the outside and I put the alarm on. They open a door and we’ll hear it.”

Kate was still glaring at Jack. “How did you find the key to my jewelry drawer? And when did you search for it?”

“When I needed a hiding place for the truck keys.” He yawned. “Anyone else ready for bed?” He smiled at Kate invitingly.

Her eyes flashed anger. “I’m staying with Max.”

“Then can I have your bed?” he shot back.

“Much as I enjoy hearing the foreplay of you two,” Sara said, “I’m done in. Good night.” She went to her bedroom and closed the door.

For a moment Jack and Kate stared at each other. Arguing wasn’t as much fun without an appreciative audience.

In just a few days they had become used to each other’s routines. Twenty minutes later they were in their separate beds and asleep.

Kate was the last one to get up the next morning. She put on black trousers and a lovely Elaine Cross top, and she was careful with her makeup.

“You’re going to work today?” Jack asked when he saw her.

“As long as Tayla is in jail, I don’t think they want me there.”

“Then why...?” Enlightenment hit him. “For the boys? You’re all dressed up to impress a couple of kids?”

“Ah. The jealousy of Jack Wyatt. Legendary. It—”

Sara spoke up. Loudly. “Do you think Janet had anything to do with those nasty text messages sent to the girls?”

“Just to one of them, wasn’t it?” Kate got out cereal and a bowl.

“Easier to hack that way,” Jack mumbled. He was still looking at Kate.

She took the stool next to him. “I don’t know anything about hacking but I see it done on TV. I’m sure there’s a way.”

“How doesn’t matter.” Sara put a full plate of eggs, bacon, and toast before Jack. “What’s important is if she did it.”

“I don’t see it,” Kate said. “That was a really, deeply nasty thing to do. To try to get someone to kill themselves? Because of a kid mimicking you?”

“Kyle said she took away his children because they painted WITCH on her garage,” Jack said.

“And how could she do that?” Sara asked. “Was she there in the courtroom? Did she bribe the judge? It all seems too farfetched to be real.”

“Besides,” Kate said, “everyone liked her. You heard the praise about her. She had a good effect on people’s lives.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Sara said. “Good or bad means nothing.”