Shadow Of Suspicion (Margot Harris 3)

“Why? It wasn’t because of Lori.”

“It wasn’t? You saw the photo. For the record, there was no text just the picture. I figured she was sending it to me on the sly and didn’t have time to type a message.”

“Why would you think that?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Maybe because it didn’t happen that way. Did you lie to me about her situation?”

“I didn’t. Don’t tell me you believed Dave? Let me guess, he said living out there was her idea.”

“What if he did?”

“Did he tell you she can come and go as she pleases? ”

“He did.”

“What did Lori say?”

“She didn’t say anything. She wasn’t there.”

Gale’s lip started quivering like she was about to cry. She put her hand over her mouth and said through it, “Where did he say she was?”

Margot got out her phone and showed Gale the text Dave received.

“This doesn’t make sense.”

“You’re telling me.”

“Listen, I didn’t lie to you about Lori and Dave. I got the picture and then I couldn’t reach her. I got scared and then I remembered Melanie talking about you and I thought you could help. I guess I made a mistake.”

“No, you didn’t make a mistake. Something else is going on here.”

“It doesn’t matter now does it? She’s probably dead. I should have gone myself two days ago, but I was scared and now it's too late.”

Margot let her cry. She wasn’t feeling very good about herself. The problem was, all she had was Dave’s story and Gale’s story and both seemed credible.

Gale whispering, “I could have saved her,” over and over again wasn’t helping.

Margot finished her drink while Gale tried to compose herself. Eventually, she said, “I’m sorry,” and was standing to leave when she remembered something Gale had said before the tears started.

“You just said you didn’t lie about Dave and Lori,” Margot said to her as she sat back down.

“That’s because I didn’t.”

“Yeah, but it implies you lied about something else.”

Gale stopped crying and looked Margot in the eye. “I told the truth about the important parts. The rest isn’t your business.”

“Your friend has likely either been murdered or kidnapped or maybe both. It’s all my business right now.”

Gale stood up and started to leave.

Margot stood up too. “Sorry Gale, but you can’t walk out on this.”

“Watch me,” Gale told her.

Margot was right behind her when she reached the door. Gale stepped out, but Margot grabbed her shoulder and spun her around.