“People get murdered all the time. A burglary? A robbery?”
“Nothing was taken.”
She waved a hand dismissively. “So they got scared and ran.”
“The last time we talked you were terrified at the thought of a murderer running loose around here, and now you seem to have accepted it pretty readily,” noted Michelle in a voice filled with skepticism.
“This is a nice area, but crime happens everywhere. Sure, I’m scared, but that doesn’t mean I’m not realistic. I’ve got a good security system. I have two maids who live here with me. And I’ve got Doug.”
“Doug?”
“My steady. But I think you’re being very unfair to your mother by accusing her of something like that. Especially when she can’t defend herself.”
Sean put a hand on Michelle’s arm because he could sense she was about to come out of her chair at the woman, and it would hardly be a fair fight. At that moment a man wandered into the room holding a small bag of pretzels.
He was about six feet tall and very fit-looking. He had a TV anchor’s mane of silvery hair and a deep tan. A handsome man of sixty-odd.
“My steady I mentioned to you before, Doug Reagan,” said Donna proudly. “A very successful founder of a global IT company. He sold it four years ago and now lives the good life. With me.”
“Well, that’s the American dream,” said Michelle with a trace of disgust.
Doug shook their hands. “Really sorry about Sally,” he said. “She was a fine woman. A good friend to Donna.”
“Thanks,” said Michelle.
Doug looked at Donna and took her hand. “We’re going to miss her smiling face, aren’t we?”
Donna clutched a tissue in her hand and nodded. “But Michelle thinks Sally might have been having an affair.”
“What?” Doug looked at them. “That’s absurd.”
“Are you in a position to know for sure?” asked Sean.
The man opened his mouth and then closed it. “What? I…” He glanced at his steady. “Donna would know better than I would. I knew Sally but not like Donna did. But still, it’s a small community here. Someone would have known, wouldn’t they?”
Michelle said, “That’s what we’re trying to find out. But we need folks to be truthful.”
“I am telling you the truth,” snapped Donna. “Your mother was not having an affair with any man that I know of. And like Doug said, it’s a small community.”
“My mom bought a golf tournament couples package. My dad doesn’t play golf.”
“Oh for goodness sakes. She played with Doug,” said Donna.
Michelle and Sean looked at Doug, who had a pretzel up to his mouth. “Donna, you asked me to, remember? Because she didn’t have anyone to play with.”
“That’s right, I did.”
“Why didn’t he play with you?” asked Michelle. “You’re a golfer too.”
Donna said, “Because even though it was for charity it was a competitive tournament and my handicap was too high to get in. Your mom was an excellent golfer and so is Doug.”
“About all I do anymore,” he said, smiling. “Hit the little ball in the little cup.” He added quickly, “And spend time with Donna.”
“My steady,” said Donna.
“Sounds like what everyone should aspire to in retirement,” said Michelle, while she scowled at Donna.
“Look, if you came here to insult us,” Donna began before Sean cut her off by saying, “This is understandably a very tense time for everyone. We appreciate your comments. I think we need to go now.”