Free Murder by Mushroom by Virginia Smith

mentioned. And it will, Margaret. You know it will.”
    That was true. But it wasn’t the whole truth. Jackie turned away, staring at the line of trees they passed and admitted the truth to herself. Because I want to prove I can do something right. I want people to like me. It was the answer she couldn’t give to Margaret. To anyone. Except maybe Linus.
    Margaret remained quiet a long time. Finally she sighed. “You’re making way too much out of this, Jackie. I’d prefer to leave this interrogation business to the police. But if you’re determined to continue, I guess you need me along to temper the conversations.”
    Normally, Jackie would have flared with indignation at a statement like that. She could certainly handle a conversation all by herself, for cryin’ out loud! No one needed to “temper” anything for her. But she didn’t want Margaret mad at her.
    So she simply said, “Thanks, Margaret. I appreciate your help.”
    “Besides,” Margaret went on, “the Bible says older women should teach younger women. Maybe this is an opportunity the Lord is giving me to teach you something. Here.” She picked up the Bible that lay on the seat between them and thrust it into Jackie’s hands. “Before we get to the nursing home, I want you to read Proverbs chapter eleven.”
    Jackie obeyed. And tried not to fume when she got to verses twelve and thirteen.

     
    On the den sofa, Margaret snuggled into the curve of Earl’s shoulder. She loved this time every evening, when the supper dishes were put away and the nightly news programs had ended. Strands of Tchaikovsky washed over her, clearing her mind and easing away the day’s tension.
    “How did the visitations go?” Earl asked.
    “Terrible.”
    She told him about the visit to Mrs. Sawyer and about Jackie’s list of “suspects.”
    Earl shook his head. “She’s quite a character, isn’t she? I’ll bet she causes quite a stir at lunch tomorrow.”
    Margaret avoided Earl’s eyes. “After today, I didn’t have the nerve to invite her to lunch. These lunch dates are one of the highlights of my week, and I don’t want tomorrow’s ruined by uncomfortable questions.” She flushed with guilt at her selfish desire to exclude Jackie from a perfect opportunity to talk with several of the church ladies.
    Earl stretched his legs out in front of him and pulled her closer. Margaret closed her eyes, listening to the music and breathing in the faint scent of his aftershave. She supposed she should invite Jackie to her weekly ladies’ luncheon. The girl would jump at the chance, because Esther would be there. But could she be trusted to handle the situation tactfully?
    “Did she add anyone else to her list after the other visits?” Earl asked, interrupting her thoughts.
    “No. Mrs. Snedegar was entertaining her neighbor, so we didn’t stay long. And Mrs. Harrod was more interested in my cookies than in Jackie’s questions.”
    “And Mr. Sheppard?” He grinned. “Did he have any interesting stories for his pretty young visitor?”
    “He behaved like a gentleman.” Margaret sighed and plucked at a loose thread on the sofa cushion. “Do you think I should invite Jackie to lunch with the ladies?”
    Earl shrugged. “Whatever you think. I’m sure you’ll make the right decision.”
    She already knew what that decision would be. She wouldn’t enjoy herself if she didn’t extend the invitation. She’d be thinking the whole time of Jackie sitting home alone, and how hurt her feelings would be when she found out she had been excluded.
    But not tonight. She’d call her young friend in the morning. Tonight she just wanted to relax and forget all about gossip and murder investigations.
    She pressed her face into Earl’s shoulder and grumbled, “I hate making the right decision.”

SEVEN
    Y awning, Jackie poured coffee into a mug while Linus twined around her legs, verbalizing his impatience for breakfast. Day two of her vacation. Yesterday had not been as