Lilies That Fester Read Online Free

a scarecrow with half the stuffing knocked out. However, the father, Vincent McDuffy, was huge. They’re a ‘Jack Sprat’ in reverse. Surely you remember him, as obsessed as you are with weight.”
    â€œI’m not obsessed, just careful. You would be too if you’d
lost the equivalent of another person and still craved chocolate and fried chicken.” I touched the brown envelope beside me. “The McDuffys are here in Branson. I found a note from them under my door, and three more at the front desk.”
    â€œSounds like they’re persistent. What do they want?”
    â€œI’m not sure. Apparently when Carl was on patrol, he’d go by their house and visit. I think Mrs. McDuffy is the one who used to bake him pies.”
    â€œThat’s nice, but not enlightening. What’s the rest of the story?”
    â€œI wish I knew. In one of their notes they said something about me ‘righting a wrong.’”
    Lois snorted. “Well, that’s up your alley. Did they say what this ‘wrong’ is?”
    â€œNo. I’ve been busy with conference duties, and we’ve missed connections.”
    â€œHow did they know you were in Branson at that particular hotel?”
    After I’d explained about the eavesdropping, Lois said, “I don’t like this, Bretta. Why were they listening to your plans while ordering the flowers for their daughter’s funeral? Sounds pretty weird to me. I’d keep my distance if I were you.”
    â€œI can’t do that. Carl liked them, and they thought enough of Carl to trust me with this package.”
    â€œPackage? What package? You said notes.”
    I laughed. “It’s just an envelope with what feels like a small rectangle box inside.”
    â€œIs it making little tick-tick sounds?”
    â€œYou watch too many movies.”
    â€œNo need for movies when I work for you. I get all the excitement I can handle.”

    â€œThen if I need some information, you won’t mind nosing around?”
    â€œAround where? Here in town?”
    â€œYeah. I’ve got this feeling—”
    â€œSee?” said Lois. “That’s just what I mean. Your feelings scare ten years off of my life.”
    â€œDon’t worry—yet. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
    I put the receiver back in the cradle, then reread the McDuffys’ letter. My uneasiness came from their mention of my role in solving two murders. Why bring that up? Why wouldn’t the McDuffys come back for the envelope? Why would I need to “assess” the contents? My fingers traced the outline of the hard rectangular box. It felt like a cassette. Had they recorded a message for me? Was I being ridiculous?
    There probably wasn’t any need to get worked up over what could be nothing. This was another prime example of how I get sucked into other people’s problems. It was much easier to contemplate the ands, ifs, and buts of the McDuffys than it was to mull over my own situation.
    I placed a call to their room. There wasn’t any answer, which bothered me since they hadn’t been seen all day. That was surely odd since Helen had said that for the last four days Mabel and Vincent had spent their time in the lobby or taking the shuttle up to the conservatory.
    I tempered my uneasiness by telling myself that they would be by in the morning to get the envelope. However, they’d asked me to keep it safe. I looked around for a hiding place. I was usually pretty good at this kind of thing, but a hotel room offered few choices. I’d had better luck concealing the bulky notebook that held the information for the contest. My notes and the compact disc that was the “key” to the contest were
safely tucked away from prying eyes in the silver-blue casket that was on prominent display in the conference room.
    I’d never examined the construction of a casket until yesterday. Chloe had told us the