Free Without Any Warning (A Samantha Jamison Mystery Volume 2) by Peggy A. Edelheit

for a grown woman.”
    “How many did you try on?” I asked, curious how this fashion faux pas happened.
    Her eyes darted around nervously. “Not that many,” she said in a righteous huff, gradually edging away from me.
    “Martha …exactly how many did you try on?” I pressed.
    “…Okay,” she finally admitted. “So, maybe I did try on everything on the rack. So what! You know, this was quite an investment for me. I had to get the color just right so I could change all the pieces out and mix and match with some of my other clothes. You know, money doesn’t grow on trees, and a person my age is always on a strict budget. I can’t afford to make an expensive fashion mistake.”
    I sat there looking at one, but didn’t have the heart to tell her. “I can truly say, Martha, that it’s …one of a kind.”
    “You really think so?” she said, all excited. “I added this red scarf for a dash of color to jazz it up a little, too.”
    I pointed to a chair. “Martha, how about you sit a minute and tell me a little something about this Roland fellow you’re dating tonight. What do you know about him? I feel sort of responsible for you. You wouldn’t be down here if I hadn’t rented this house by the beach. Please humor me, okay?”
    She reluctantly sat down across from me, toying with her red scarf. “I pride myself in having a good eye for people, and he seemed friendly enough. Why he even said he knew your cleaning lady, Crystal, after we got to talking for a stretch. Like I told you, I checked him out, looking at his driver’s license and his AARP card too,” she said proudly.
    I gently shook my head. She was going to be the death of me, but I had to trust her judgment. “How old is he?”
    “Well, he’s a little bit older than me, but pretty spry for a gentleman of his advanced age.” She started acting nervous and seemed about ready to spring from her chair.
    “Martha. You’re evading me again. How old is he?”
    “Let me see,” she said looking at the ceiling, stalling. “…I think his license read ninety. …Or was it ninety-one? I’m not sure, to tell you the truth because I read it so quickly. You know, I was never a whiz at figuring out math. I let the register do it for me.” She moved to get up.
    My mouth dropped open. I quickly raised my hand for her to wait. “And he still drives?” I asked, cringing, already, visualizing in my mind the obit for the next day, boldly splashed across the headline of the local paper.
    “Oh no!” countered Martha. “His son won’t let him. Roland said he just likes to renew his license and show it off to all his friends. It’s a macho thing, I guess. He said he damn near killed himself last time he drove the car, getting it stuck under the back end of a school bus at a red light. Claimed he didn’t see it.”
    “…Martha, those buses are painted bright yellow!”
    “I know, but maybe he’s colored blind! You never know. Anyway, don’t worry. We’re going to the movies on the boardwalk. He’s taking a cab here. We’re walking over. After that, we’re grabbing pizza at Mack & Mango’s.”
    Well, that sounded innocent enough. The doorbell rang, and Martha sprang out of the chair. “Oh, my! There’s he is! Gotta go!” She quickly scrambled down the stairs. “I’ll be right there, Roland!” she shouted, rushing toward the door.
    I leaned back in my chair, closed my eyes and sighed. After that conversation, I should have had a drink, but I went for the Rolaids instead.

 
     
     
    Chapter 26
    Mona, Mon Ami And Me
     
     
    I was ready for surveillance. Hey, I’d read my share of old detective novels! I slid on my sunglasses, black beret, and then tied my long, all-weather coat at the waist with a single objective in mind. The time had arrived for me to shadow Mona on one of her daily mystery disappearances.
    I reached for the door handle, shouting I was going on errands, but instead, waited around the corner in my car, which was parked