A Forgotten Murder (Medlar Mystery 3)

“A great, whopping lie,” Jack said.

“But I’m sure all the others are telling the truth,” Sara said, and they almost laughed.

“Fake calls, made-up parties,” Jack said.

“Don’t forget the note left in Aunt Sara’s camera bag,” Kate said.

“Someone wants us out of here,” Sara said.

“You think?” Jack said.

“We—” Sara began.

“Look!” Kate said.

They turned to the window. Across the road, a woman was standing outside a Victorian house that had been converted into offices. She was staring at the entry stairs as though trying to decide whether or not to enter.

“Isn’t that...?” Kate said.

“That is Meena,” Sara said. “Owner of Renewal. Successful to the extreme—aka Willa without her disguise.”

“She shouldn’t cover that body up,” Jack added.

“I’m going to talk to her.” Kate left before they could protest. She crossed the street quickly, but she still had time to work up anger. “You lied about having a husband and children.”

“So what?” Willa said. “Did you want me to admit that I’m a failure as a woman? That’s how they made me feel. And they still do.”

“It was your choice to dress like a ragbag lady. You could have arrived in a limo and...” Even as she said it, Kate knew that a successful Willa would have taken the focus off Sean and Diana. Clive might even latch onto her. She sighed. “Okay, so what have you learned?”

“That’s he’s divorced and has two daughters.”

“What? Who?”

Willa nodded toward the building, and Kate saw a sign for an attorney. “Is he the guy you liked?”

“Yeah. I saw Nadine go in there!”

“She’s not after a village lawyer,” Kate said. “She needs money. If she knew the truth about your business, she might propose to you.”

“Then I’d have to support that daughter of hers. No thanks.” Willa kept glancing at the door.

“How old are his daughters?”

“Ten and eleven.”

“They’re young. It’s been over twenty years, so he waited a long time before he married. Why don’t you go buy his kids some gifts, something electronic, then show up as yourself? Tell the truth about your company. Invite him to tea.”

“Nadine’s still in there.” Willa sounded defeated.

“Only you think she’s so beautiful that men fall down in lust for her.”

“You’re the one who should worry. She’s after Jack.”

“That’s because he looks like Sean. You left early this morning. Did you happen to have a work emergency?”

“How did you know that?” Willa sounded angry. “If you’re tapping my phone—”

“We’re not. What is the emergency?”