Free String of Lies by Mary Ellen Hughes

Mallory Holt?” Ina Mae asked. “Yes, of course she could get into her own house.”

    “But I saw Mallory Holt arrive home when I was waiting outside the house, after the police had come,” Jo said.

    “But you don’t know where she was at the time of the murder setup,” Loralee pointed out.

    “No, I don’t. That would be between four and six—after Dan and Xavier left the house together, and before I got there. As far as where Mallory Holt was during that time, I might be able to find out. I imagine she’s been asked that by the police too. But do we know of any reason she’d want to kill her husband?”

    The women looked blankly at each other. Then Vernon spoke.

    “Maybe.” He paused, squirming uneasily on his chair.

    “What?” all four women asked at once.

    “Well, when I had my butcher shop, most of my customers were women, and you know how two ladies running into each other like to talk?”

    The four ladies in the room nodded.

    “I couldn’t help overhearing things, of course, standing right there. But I always made it a point never to repeat what I heard. Customer confidentiality, you know, like with a lawyer, or, as Evelyn tells me, a hairdresser. I knew it could only cause trouble if I ever started, although the temptation often was there, I must admit.”

    “Highly admirable, Vernon,” Ina Mae said, “and we certainly understand your reluctance to break that rule now. However, I’m sure you understand the present circumstances are quite special. Sharing what you know with us would be for the purpose of saving a man from being falsely charged and is far from the realm of idle gossip.”

    Vernon nodded, agreeing. “Mrs. Holt,” he said, sucking in a long breath, “seems to have been unhappy in her marriage to Mr. Holt.”

    “Oh!” Four reactions came out, with varying degrees of surprise and interest.

    “Well,” Javonne said, “that doesn’t exactly knock me over, I’m afraid, Vernon. I mean, if Parker Holt behaved the way Jo says he did with Sylvia Ramirez and who knows who else, Mallory Holt must have picked up on it.”

    “And,” Loralee said, “surely divorce would be her option, not murder.”

    “Unless,” Ina Mae pointed out, “money was a factor. She could have wanted all of it instead of just half. Or she might have feared she would end up with much less than half if Parker got a better lawyer than she did.”

    “A good possibility, then,” Jo said. “So I should learn more about Mallory Holt.”

    “She’s been a very active member of the Abbotsville Women’s Club, president of it, lately,” Ina Mae said. “The other women in it would likely know her quite well. And,” she added, giving Jo a significant look, “Alexis Wigsley is also a member.”

    “Why is that important?” Vernon asked.

    “Alexis,” Jo explained, “was in the shop this morning, looking for gossip to spread. She dropped the hint that Mallory Holt wouldn’t be your typical grieving widow.”

    “Well, there you go, Jo,” Javonne said with a grin. “Just go to Alexis and find out all you need about Mallory Holt.”

    “But I’m afraid you can’t trust everything that woman says,” Ina Mae cautioned. “She likes a good story more than the truth. Whatever she tells you, Jo, you’ll need to find a second source to back it up.”

    Jo nodded.

    “Jo,” Loralee said, “please be very careful when you ask people about Mallory Holt. She could very well be innocent, and if so she could be genuinely grieving. We shouldn’t assume too much just yet.”

    “You’re quite right, Loralee. I promise not to stir up false rumors.”

    “Her uncle’s the mayor,” Javonne reminded them. “Another good reason to tread lightly.”

    “Ah, yes. He showed up at the house even before Mallory Holt did. What is Warren Kunkle like?” Jo asked the group. “Would he be likely to put pressure on our Abbotsville police to solve this murder quickly?”

    Ina Mae nodded. “Warren and