A Willing Murder (Medlar Mystery 1)

“Gil?”

“Jack’s foreman. You’ll meet him soon. Everyone will want to meet you. What’s that look for?”

“I was thinking how normal all this sounds. Relatives, friends. Steps and halves.”

“Not what your life has been like?”

“Far from it,” Kate said but then smiled. “Except in college. I loved college.”

“Me, too!” Sara said. “I—” She broke off when Jack opened the door and came outside.

His hair was wet, his clothes clean, and he was frowning.

“Tell me that isn’t your sour old green tea.”

“It isn’t my sour old green tea,” Sara said by rote.

Jack poured himself a glass, took a drink, made a face, then sat down on the opposite end of the couch from Kate. “You look tired.”

“Thanks,” she said. “Hard to believe I don’t look my best when the last two days have been so much fun.”

“You talk to anyone?” he asked, his eyes on his glass.

“Not really. I just told people about the necklace and how Cheryl wanted to be a newscaster and that your father stole the camera and maybe he killed her. Not much.”

Jack was blinking at her, eyes wide.

Sara laughed. “You deserved that. We want to hear what happened after we left last night.”

“Nothing,” Jack said. “Guys from the county came and I told them Cheryl’s name. I gave them the necklace and said I’d given it to her. I told them about knowing her when I was a kid and that we were friends. I thought those were all the facts they needed to know.”

“Nothing about Roy?” Sara asked.

“I didn’t see any reason to bring him into it.”

“Roy might have—” Sara began but then stopped.

“I know,” he said sharply. “No, I didn’t tell them that they’ll probably find out that my biological father is a murder suspect. And I don’t plan on mentioning it unless I have to. Is there any fruit left?”

Kate said she’d get the basket. She took her time in the kitchen while making up a tray. Cheese was in the fridge, crackers in the pantry, and the basket was full of fruit. She sliced and arranged it and took it outside.

“This is great,” Jack said. “Look what she did.” He was admiring the food as if it was a feast. “Mustard. And olives. Okay, so what size ring do you want?” His mouth was full.

“Too late,” Kate said. “Alastair has already sized me for a family heirloom.”

Jack halted, crumbs on his chin, and stared.

Sara and Kate laughed in unison.

Jack groaned. “Yet again, I find myself living in a house full of women. All jokes are at my expense. I’m going to get a beer.” He hobbled away on his crutches.

When he was gone, Kate said, “He seems to have perked up since last night.”

“Thanks to you. But I doubt if his good mood lasts long. This has hit him hard, and he isn’t over Evan’s death by a long shot.”

“Were there any DUI charges brought against Jack?”

“Why should there be? Evan was driving.”