Free The Woman Next Door by Joanne Locker Page B

news about murderers and burglars helping themselves to food from the fridge. Not a good hiding place. This is a nice kitchen, though. No dishwasher, but granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Wally has some real money invested here.”
    “It is nice.” Craig walked ahead and then called out, “Lizzy, come and see this back porch!”
    “Oh my goodness. He has all sorts of fishing equipment.” Her eyes scanned the cases and admired all of the lures. “I’m sure Wally makes these as a hobby, Craig.”
    “And you would be correct. He’s given me a couple of them that he’s made, and I really love them. Look at the fishing rods, and the different reels. Nice!”
    “Wally and my grandfather would like each other a lot.”
    “You speak of your grandparents with love and respect, but you don’t have a lot to say about your mom and dad.”
    “I’m more like my grandmother than my mom. Mom is arrogant and she cares about how things look on the surface. She had to have new carpet one year right before Christmas because she was afraid that someone would notice a stain on the carpet. Dad argued with her, but she bought carpet the next day, insisting it be installed immediately so she could have new carpet for her party. That was the year that she put empty boxes underneath the tree because she couldn’t afford gifts for us kids or Dad or Grandma and Grandpa. No one even noticed the new carpet, either. That’s Mom. My being a nurse isn’t prestigious enough for her. She wants me to be a doctor.”
    “What? You are so well respected! What is her problem?”
    “Now you know why I live far away from them. I’m who I am, and there is no pleasing her, Craig. I went home last Christmas for a few days, and she had several men lined up for me to meet, thinking I would allow her to find me a husband. It didn’t work. I left early and came home, wondering why I tried.”
    “What about your brother?”
    “He lives in New York. He got as far away from her as he could without leaving the country, and that could happen one day if she doesn’t stop trying to run his life!”
    “What does he do for a living?”
    “He’s an actor, singer, and dancer. He’s having some success on Broadway now, but it’s taken him a few years of nothing but bit parts to earn a decent role. He’s gay, and Mom keeps offering to have him counseled so that he’ll turn straight. She is terrified her friends will learn the truth about Richard.”
    “Your mom is a case.”
    “So, who is your worst relative?” Lizzy asked, as they walked through the main room of the cabin and turned the knob on the first door they came to. It was a small bedroom, outfitted with bunk beds and obviously designed with grandkids in mind. She watched as Craig opened a closet and tapped the walls. Elizabeth had no idea what he was looking for, but apparently he didn’t find it. She’d looked for a hiding place, and there was nothing in the small room that would work.
    “My worst relative is my youngest sister, Jill. She is just so young and full of herself and she gives Mom a hard time. Typical teenager,” he answered with a grin.
    “Is she the one you swatted with your fraternity paddle?” Lizzy asked with a smile.
    “Actually, no. That would be Faith. She attends Wake Forest in North Carolina. She’s a mite headstrong, but she’s a sweet girl. Heidi is the oldest sister. She’s married and has two little ones. Her husband is a captain in the Marines. He’s gruff and very tough, and she has him wrapped around her little finger. You’ll like Mom. She’s nice, understanding, and firm when she needs to be. The last couple of years have been hard for her since Dad died, but she’s making it happen, mostly for Jill’s and Faith’s sakes.”
    “I’m sorry to hear about your dad! What happened?”
    “Cancer happened. He put off going to the doctor until he was in Stage Four, and we lost him six weeks after he was diagnosed. He told me before he