Free Murder in Vein (2010) by Sue Ann Jaffarian Page A

solve these
murders before our way of life is threatened. Not to mention averting the panic that would occur if the people of Los Angeles
found out about us."

    Dodie hesitated, choosing her next words and tone carefully, understanding that Madison was skittish and uncomfortable in personal situations. "Madison, is that your mother in the
photo?"
    In answer, Madison buried her nose into her mug and
nodded.
    "Where is she? Do you mind telling me?"
    Madison put down her mug and stared at one of the paintings. It was an abstract blend of yellows, reds, and oranges, with
the occasional surprise of blue-sharp angles that came together
in smooth and pleasing harmony.
    "She's dead," Madison told Dodie in a voice devoid of emotion. When Dodie didn't comment, Madison continued. "She
died when I was five. I was raised by my father's aunt, Eleanor,
until she died a few years later. After that, I made the rounds of
foster homes until I turned eighteen." Madison's voice began to
break. She swallowed the lump in her throat and corralled her
emotions. "You know that ratty old stuffed animal? The one you
brought over from my place?"
    Dodie nodded. She had sensed the battered toy meant something significant to Madison.
    "My mother gave that to me right before she died. It's all I
have left of her-that and the photo."
    "How did she die, Madison? Was she sick?"
    "No, she wasn't." The words came out of the girl spiced with
bile. Seeing that Madison looked about to break into tears, Dodie
didn't prod. After another few moments, Madison said, "My
mother was killed in a robbery."

    "I'm so very sorry, Madison."
    Madison, considering she'd gone this far, decided she might
as well complete the story she hadn't told anyone-ever. "My
mother and father and I were coming home from something, not
even sure now what, when my father decided to stop at a convenience store. Mom was driving. My father went into the store.
Then there was the sound of shots. My father ran out of the store
and yelled at my mother to get going. She screamed at my dad. I
remember her asking him over and over about what he'd done.
He kept screaming for her to drive. A man came out of the store
and fired a gun at the car. My mother was killed."
    Dodie's lips were pressed tight, holding back tears that in reality she couldn't shed. "And your father?"
    Madison shrugged. "He's in jail-or was. He shot one of the
store clerks, paralyzing him. Even before then, I don't remember
him around much. And when he was around, he was mean to us,
especially to my mother"
    Madison filled her lungs with air, held it, then expelled it, as
if doing that would rid her of the horrible memory. When that
didn't work, she shoved the pain back into the shadows to sit next
to the photos of the dead women. "Aunt Eleanor left me a little
money. Not much, but I couldn't get it until I turned twenty-one.
As soon as I did, I left Boise and headed here to start over."
    In a sharp motion, Madison pushed away from the table.
"Where's the ladies' room? Or don't they have one?"
    "It's over there, dear." Dodie pointed to a door just to the left
of the bar. "It's for their live customers."

     

NINE

    hen Madison headed back to their table, she saw that
Dodie wasn't alone. Seated with her was another woman.
She appeared to be in her late thirties, with straight brown
hair pulled back into a ponytail and bangs worn just past her
eyebrows. Her body was compact and athletic.
    "So this is the girl," the woman announced rather than asked
as Madison reached the table.
    "Madison," Dodie said with a smile. "I want you to meet a
good friend of ours. This is Stacie Neroni. She's an attorney who
does a lot of work for the community."
    Stacie held out her hand to Madison, who took it with a slight
hesitation. They shook, and Madison noticed that Stacie's hand
was ice cold.
    "You're a-," Madison started to say as she took her seat.
    "Yeah, yeah, yeah," Stacie said, cutting her off with a wave