Free Trick or Treat Murder by Leslie Meier Page B

shared her grief.

    "Mira? This is Lucy Stone, in Tinker's Cove. I wanted to call and let you know how sorry I am about your mother."

    "Lucy, thanks for calling. It's so sweet of you."

    "It's the least I could do. I feel absolutely awful about the fire."

    "I don't think I've really taken it in yet. I keep expecting Mom to call and ask how I'm feeling." Mira paused. "I'm pregnant again, you know."

    "I didn't know," said Lucy, thinking how sad it was that Monica would never see her second grandchild. "When are you due?"

    "In about a month."

    "And how old is the baby?"

    "Freddie's almost two."

    "You'll have your hands full." What a shame, thought Lucy, for Mira to lose her mother just when she needed her so much.

    "I sure will," said Mira, her voice trembling.

    "I don't want to keep you," said Lucy quickly. "I was just wondering when the service will be. I didn't see anything in the paper."

    "I know." Mira fell silent. "I'm ashamed to say we haven't planned anything yet. It's all been so sudden. We're still in shock. You'd think something like this would make us all closer but instead it's ripping the family apart."

    "Oh, Mira, every family's different. There's no right way to deal with death." Lucy hesitated a moment, then plunged ahead. "I saw your dad yesterday. He came by the house. He seems to be taking it pretty hard."

    "Harder than I expected, that's for sure." There was an edge to Mira's voice. Lucy wondered how much Mira knew about her father and Krissy.

    "Well, as you said, it was very sudden."

    "Very convenient if you ask me." There was no mistaking the anger in Mira's voice. "He'd told Roily he was thinking of divorcing Mom. There was somebody else."

    "Oh, no. Did your mother know?"

    "I don't know how she could have missed it. Everybody knew. I used to see his Mercedes and Krissy's Fiero parked side by side all over town." Mira sniffled; Lucy was pretty sure she was crying. Suddenly, Lucy was ashamed of herself. She didn't want to add to Mira's pain.

    "I'm sorry, Mira. I shouldn't have called."

    "I'm glad you called," sobbed Mira. "I've felt so alone, like I'm the only one who loved her. It really helps to know that you cared about her, too. I'll let you know when we decide on a time for the service."

    "Oh, Mira," said Lucy, her voice breaking. "Bill and I both loved her. She was very special to us. If there's anything we can do to help, please let us know." Lucy wiped her eyes and hung up the phone. Suddenly shaky, she sat down at the kitchen table. She crossed her arms across her stomach and hugged herself, waiting for the sick feeling to go away.

    This was ridiculous, she thought. Mira had confirmed her suspicions about Dr. Mayes and Krissy. She was right after all. So why did she feel so horrible?

CHAPTER TWELVE

    Mrs. Stone. Back already?" Krissy looked up from the class schedule she was decorating with little jack-o'-lanterns. "Vicki may have forgotten to mention it, but it's better to wait a day or two between sessions."

    "Really?" said Lucy, feigning disappointment. "That's too bad. I was really counting on another workout before the weekend."

    "I wouldn't advise it," said Krissy, staring right through her. The dazzling smile was definitely gone, Krissy seemed almost hostile. Lucy wondered why. Was it because Lucy had told her she knew Monica?

    "Oh, well, there's something else I wanted to talk to you about." Lucy glanced around the counter area that was open to the public. "Is there someplace a bit more private, like an office, where we could talk?"

    "I'm afraid not," said Krissy flatly.

    "I suppose you haven't even finished unpacking yet," said Lucy, refusing to be deterred. "Never mind," she said, leaning over the counter and lowering her voice. "A group of us mothers are putting on a Halloween party for the kids. To try and keep them off the streets, you know. We're cleaning up the old Hallett house this weekend. Would you like to help?"

    "I'm afraid I couldn't possibly.