Free Progressive Dinner Deadly by Elizabeth Spann Craig

sick, Willow.” She ushered her over to a short brick wall that edged the garage and sat her down. “Sit her for a minute.”
    She watched Willow’s pale face and red eyes and said, “Are you here to visit Cullen then? Since you don’t have any dishes to pick up?”
    Anger flashed briefly in Willow’s eyes. Did she think Cullen was the killer? “No,” she said fiercely, “I wasn’t here to visit Cullen. I…” she gestured over to the cooler. “I came for some of the barbeque. So we wouldn’t waste it. Erma called me early this morning. I brought a plastic container with me.” Willow held up a Tupperware container with her name written on the side.
    Myrtle pressed her lips together in a grim line. She bet Erma did call Willow this morning. Maybe it was under the guise of leftovers, but it was pure nosiness that would have driven her.
    “I’m sure there’ll be women from the church running by with some casseroles for you, you know. There’s a whole army that jumps into action after a death.” Myrtle hesitated, then decided to ask, “What on earth do you think happened in there, Willow? Who’d have murdered Jill?”
    Willow gave a strangled sob and Myrtle awkwardly patted her arm. “I’m so sorry, Willow. Never mind, if you don’t want to talk about it. Such a shock,” she murmured.
    Willow collected herself. “Did you come over for some food, too?”
    Myrtle had the grace to blush. At least she had the excuse of the container. Although it was one of those disposable kinds and she’d never intended on getting it back in the first place.
    Fortunately, Willow got distracted by the bags Myrtle was still clutching. “Is that…cat food?” asked Willow with more interest than she’d shown in the rest of the conversation.
    Myrtle stopped herself just in time from making a face and instead put on what she hoped was a Saint Myrtle of Stray Kitties expression. “Well, yes. Yes it is. I have a feral feline friend in my backyard that’s decided to adopt me. And I want to take care of my little furry buddy.”
    Willow beamed. “Friends of Ferals is a wonderful group. Elaine recently joined, didn’t she? Our animal friends need us, you know. I just let Kojak—he’s Cullen and Jill’s dog,” her voice faltered over Jill’s name, “off that chain in the backyard. He needed rescuing. That poor animal,” she said passionately. “I’d bring him back home with me but Cullen would demand him back. He doesn’t care about Kojak a bit—but he doesn’t want him happy. And the poor dog would be happy with me.” Animals seemed to be the one topic that made Willow animated. Besides complaining about Cullen, that is.
    Myrtle was quickly losing interest in the conversation. Willow’s brain had shifted gears now and Myrtle doubted there was any way to switch it back. “Yes. Well, I should be getting home to put the cat food out.”
    “And a bowl full of water,” Willow called after her as Myrtle hustled away. She turned back to say good-bye to Willow and caught sight of Sherry Angevine peeking out behind one of Cullen’s curtains.
    Myrtle didn’t really feel like going back home yet. She felt more like mulling things over with Miles. On the way back home, she stopped by Miles’ house. A minute went by. Myrtle frowned and looked in Miles’ driveway again. His car was there. She guessed he could have walked into town, but Miles usually drove since he’d been so accustomed to living in the city. She rang the doorbell.
    Another minute passed before Miles’ face peered out of the window next to his front door. Myrtle swore she saw irritation flash across his face. He slowly opened the door.
    Myrtle gaped at him. “Miles! You’re in your bathrobe and slippers!”
    “That’s not a crime, is it, Myrtle?” asked Miles with dignity.
    “But it’s the middle of the day!”
    Miles shook his head in exasperation. “For heaven’s sake, Myrtle. I simply decided to go back to bed after I left Kiwanis. I