Free Murder Is Secondary by Diane Weiner

search for the name of his first wife––Kaitlyn Chichester. There was an obituary from fifteen years ago. What brought that up? Then there was a google search for an address here in town. She copied down the address and stuck it in her purse for future reference.

Chapter 22

    Susan checked the chicken parmesan and gave the pasta a stir. Mike was setting the table for six, using the vintage china that Susan had inherited from her mother. Susan missed her Mom. Alzheimer’s had been slowly pulling her away from Susan for many years but there was a finality to death that couldn’t be underestimated.
    “The table looks elegant,” said Susan. “Mom kept these dishes safely tucked away in the china cabinet. We used them only on holidays and for special occasions.”
    “It sure does add some class to the table. We will have to make a point of using it more often,” said Mike.
    “That reminds me. I’ll have to stop by the bank next week. I need to close out Mom’s account.”
    Susan had decided to invite Lynette and Jason for dinner as well. Zach already knew Jason from their poker games, and Zach’s wife was more or less Lynette’s age. Susan was looking forward to a pleasant evening. Lynette and Jason arrived first.
    “Hi, honey. You look beautiful,” said Susan. “Hi, grandbaby,” she said as she bent down and addressed Lynette’s baby bump. “You look beautiful too,” she told Jason. She ruffed up his sandy blond hair, knowing he wouldn’t be able to relax until he looked in the mirror and combed it. She and Mike were always teasing him about being such a ‘pretty boy.’
    “Glad you could come,” said Mike. “Mom’s making her chicken parmesan. I haven’t eaten real food in weeks.”
    “Well, you’re looking good, Dad. I can tell you’ve lost weight,” said Lynette. “What a scene we had at the station this afternoon. Amber Bernstein’s father was in yet again, screaming about getting even with Tank and suing the police department. He’s pushing to have the trial moved up. We still don’t have any good leads. Tank remains the prime and pretty much––only––suspect.”
    “Let’s have a seat,” suggested Mike.
    “Lynette, I didn’t want to say anything until I had a chance to investigate further, but I think Joey Martin may not be as innocent as we thought.”
    “Investigate further?” said Lynette. “What were you planning on doing? Bugging his house, setting up a surveillance camera, or maybe wearing a wire and getting him to confess?”
    “See, Lynette. That’s why I didn’t say anything right away.”
    “Spill it, Mom.”
    “Well, Julie had asked me to feed her cat while she and Joey were at the cross country finals. She knows I love cats and she trusted me to watch Misty.”
    “Go on. Just the facts, Mom.”
    “Well, first I saw a photo on Julie’s fridge of Joey volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. There was a bulldozer in the background of the picture. Maybe Joey has had experience driving a bulldozer after all.”
    “That’s interesting, but we don’t know that for sure,” said Lynette.
    “Also, I found a report under his bed. It was on the topic he won the science fair with. The only thing is, it had Amber’s name on it.”
    “I’ll skip right over the part about you looking under Joey’s bed. We have no idea why he had that report.” She paused. “It could be that Amber was taunting him by putting her name on his work.”
    Dalia and Zachary arrived. Mike made the introductions while Susan brought out canapés and a bottle of wine.
    Lynette grabbed the wine glasses.
    “Can I pour you some wine?” Lynette filled Zach’s glass, but Dalia put her hand over the top of hers.
    “No thanks. Just water for me,” said Dalia. She turned to Lynette. “So when are you due?”
    “The end of November. Not much longer to go.”
    “You know,” said Susan, “we’re going to have a baby shower for Lynette in a few weeks. We’d love to have you and Zach come.