Murder Close to Home Read Online Free Page B

sorry.”
    He laughed. “That’s okay. I figured you’d be back.”
    Jade and I handed him the total while we told him what had happened.
    “Poor Amelia!” he declared. “She’s going to be fine. That’s one tough lady.”
    “We’ll let you know if we hear anything,” Jade said. “Did you see where Ellen went? She doesn’t know yet.”
    “Sorry, no.”
    Jade and I searched the entire restaurant to make sure that Ellen wasn’t still there. When we didn’t find her, I got her number from Taryn. The call went to voicemail.
    “Hi, Ellen, it’s Ruby Flynn from Ruby’s Gem. Please call me back as soon as you get this.” I gave her my number and finished the call. “We have to go to her house,” I said to Jade.
    “I’m one step ahead of you.” Jade held up Ellen’s address.

    Finding Ellen’s house turned out to be much easier than finding Ellen herself. It was in a cul-de-sac among houses of similar sizes. Every house was a different color. Hers was a light green.
    I rang the doorbell. “If this doesn’t work, we can try the hospital.”
    A man with a sculpted five o’clock shadow answered the door. “Well, hello.”
    “Hi. Is this Ellen Park’s place?” I inquired.
    “That’s my wife. She’s on a shift at the hospital right now. Is there anything I can do for you? I’m Marty, by the way.”
    Jade and I exchanged a glance.
    “We were just at The Parrot Tree, where Ellen was having dinner with Amelia and Orla,” I began.
    “Yes, that’s right. Her shift was after,” said Marty.
    There was no easy way to say it. “Amelia’s had... Well, I’m not entirely sure what happened, but she’s on her way to the hospital because she collapsed. Ellen wasn’t there when it occurred and we wanted to let her know,” I explained.
    Marty was taken aback. “She seems so healthy. Come on in. Let’s wait for the results together.”
    The inside of the Parkses’ house was nicely decorated. Picture frames with family photos hung on the wall. We sat on couches that were well used and comfy. The television above the fireplace was playing a nature documentary.
    Marty put the documentary on mute. “My wife loves this stuff. The kids are at a friend’s house and I’m picking them up at nine.”
    “I don’t want to intrude,” said Jade hesitantly.
    “No, not at all!” Marty waved his hands expressively. “I like waiting for uncertain news with company. It makes it easier to bear. Amelia’s such a great friend to my family.” He texted Ellen, then said, “Ellen will let us know when she can. Can I get you anything to eat? Drink?”
    “No thanks. We just ate,” I said.
    Something felt off. I couldn’t put my finger on it. Marty seemed like a nice guy and Ellen had been friendly when I met her a while ago. There shouldn’t be a problem.
    “How did you and Ellen meet?” I asked Marty as a conversation starter.
    “I went in for a broken leg and came out a changed man. Ellen was my nurse, you see.” A dreamy look passed over his face. “The moment I saw her, I knew that she was someone special. My life hasn’t been the same since.”
    “That’s wonderful,” said Jade. “And your kids? How old are they?”
    As Marty answered (nine and seven, both girls), I took the opportunity to glance around the family room. The photos stood out to me for some reason. I squinted at them. Marty wasn’t in any of the pictures.
    “Are you a photographer, Marty?” I asked.
    “Only recreationally. I’d like to get more involved, but there’s only so many hours in a day.” The documentary was showing a chameleon changing colors. “I love bugs,” Marty said.
    “Chameleons aren’t bugs,” Jade said.
    I looked at the pictures one more time and recoiled. He wasn’t in any of them because he had taken them — from a distance. The shots were often obscured by a bush or window. These were stalker quality photos.
    I put my hunch to the test. “Did Ellen know about Amelia when you texted her?”
    Marty