A Willing Murder (Medlar Mystery 1)

“Uh...”

Sara stepped forward. “Mary used to tell me about a boy who liked Cheryl. But I think it was a secret.”

“Oh, yes, there was a boy she mentioned. Mary said he used to make videos of Cheryl.” Peggy’s eyes widened. “You don’t think they were porno, do you?”

“No, they weren’t,” Jack said.

“Peggy!” a sharp voice snapped. “Are you talking to these people about one of our guests?” Behind them was a tall woman with pulled-back black hair that had gray streaks in it. Her name badge read Dr. Anita Talbot. She was an intimidating-looking person.

“Ms. Baker was offering us sympathy and understanding for the loss of someone we loved,” Sara said.

“I assume you mean Mary Ellerbee?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “I’ve not seen you here before.”

Sara held out her hand. “Let me introduce myself. I’m Sara Medlar.”

Behind the doctor, Peggy gave a little gasp, then said silently, “I love your books!”

The doctor shook Sara’s hand, but not in a friendly way. “I never heard Mary mention you.”

“That’s because she was respectful of my privacy,” Sara said. “I’d like to see her.”

“I’m afraid the coroner has already taken her away. If you’ll leave your name and address with Peggy, we’ll tell you when the memorial service will be. Taking care of our guests when they leave this mortal plane is part of the service we offer here. Now if you’ll excuse me...” The doctor went down a corridor and was soon out of sight.

When they were alone, Peggy said, “I’m sorry about that. Dr. Talbot and Mary were friends and she’s taking this hard. She’s actually a nice woman.”

Sara made a movement as though she was about to collapse. Kate started to help her, but Sara held her arm out to Peggy, who ran to her.

“This has been a shock to her,” Jack said. “We brought lunch with us. Would it be all right if we had it here in this beautiful place?” He was smiling sweetly at Peggy.

“Of course. Several of the families are sitting on the grass.” She looked back at Sara, who was leaning on her. “Did you really write all those books?”

“I did.”

“There’s something I’ve always wanted to ask an author—where do you get your ideas?”

“I look for them. I always keep my mind open and try to find ideas.”

“I was wondering about these cameras,” Jack said. “Where do you keep the films and could we see them?”

“Afraid not,” Peggy said. “Dr. Talbot is fierce about that. Erik, our video guy, once demanded the police get a search warrant when all they wanted was to see how a man fell. But Dr. Talbot believes in privacy.”

“Just like me.” Sara gave a sigh, sounding like she was at death’s door. “I wish I could see my friend one last time, even if it’s on video.”

“Sorry, but it’s not possible,” Peggy said. She looked around the room. “Erik keeps that room locked and only he has a key. Not even Dr. Talbot goes in there.” The phone on her desk rang. “I have to go, but you can picnic here as long as you like.”

The three of them walked back to the car and immediately both women leaned against it and put their hands over their faces. Their gestures were so identical that Jack stood back and blinked at them.

“Do you think we killed her?” Sara whispered through her fingers.

“I don’t know,” Kate said. “We talked too much, told too many people, and everyone knew we had found her.”

“Exactly.” Sara dropped her hands to look at Kate. “But who is going to believe us?”

“No one.”

“Right,” Sara said. “They’ll just think she was another old woman who dropped dead for no reason.”

Jack looked over the top of the car to the front of the building. “Dr. Jekyll is watching. Let’s go sit under a tree and talk.”