"I’ll lend a hand on that," DeMarco replied."If he's hiding something, we'll find it."
As Kate pulled into her driveway and ended her call with DeMarco, she found herself wondering if Margaret Carlisle had died not because of her love of literature, but because of her inability to keep her opinions to herself.The Christie staging might have been nothing more than an elaborate attempt to hide a simpler motive: revenge against a woman who had made someone feel small and stupid once too often.
Given that this was just a book club, that seemed like a ridiculous idea.But in her line of work, Kate had seen people die forfarless.And she knew that sometimes, small grievances within small groups often proved to be the deadliest.
CHAPTER TEN
Jennifer Haynes closed the bedroom door behind her and began pulling off her black cardigan.She was still feeling emotionally drained from the evening's book club meeting.Her husband Rick was already in bed, propped up against the headboard in his boxers and t-shirt, watching her with the expectant expression she'd come to recognize over their fifteen years of marriage.
"How was the memorial meeting?"Rick asked, setting aside the mystery novel he'd been reading."Did everyone cry appropriately?"
Jennifer shot him a disapproving look as she hung her cardigan in the closet."Rick, that's not funny.We lost a valued member of our group… and a lovely lady, all the same.Margaret was a wonderful woman."
"I know, I know.I'm sorry."Rick's expression softened slightly."I just meant that these book club gatherings always seem so dramatic.How are you holding up?"
Jennifer sat on the edge of the bed to remove her earrings, grateful that Rick was at least trying to show interest in something that mattered to her."It was difficult, but I think it was good for all of us to come together and share memories.Eleanor handled it beautifully."
"Was everyone there?"
"Yes, everyone came.Even David, which surprised me a little since he seemed so uncomfortable the whole time.I don’t think he handles emotion very well."Jennifer stood up and walked to her dresser to retrieve her nightgown."Oh, and there was this new woman there.Kate something.Eleanor said she might be moving into the neighborhood and was interested in joining the group."
Rick shifted position in the bed, and Jennifer caught his meaningful glance in the dresser mirror.She pretended not to notice as she continued getting ready for bed.
"New member, huh?What was she like?"
"Sort of weird, actually.She asked a lot of questions about the group dynamics and how long everyone had been members.I mean, I understand being curious, but it felt like she was interviewing us rather than just getting to know everyone."Jennifer pulled her nightgown over her head and began brushing her hair."And the timing seemed odd, showing up to what was essentially a memorial service for someone she'd never met."
"Maybe she's just one of those people who doesn't understand social boundaries," Rick suggested, though Jennifer noticed his attention was flimsy at best.He was looking at her in the mirror with that familiar expression that meant he was hoping to end the evening on a more intimate note.
Jennifer finished brushing her hair and climbed into bed beside him. When she did, his hand also immediately went to her waist.After fifteen years of marriage, she could read Rick's moods and desires with uncomfortable accuracy.
"Jen," Rick said softly, reaching over to touch her arm."It's been a really long week, and I thought maybe tonight..."
Jennifer felt the familiar flutter of guilt and reluctance that always accompanied these moments.Rick was a good husband in most ways, patient and supportive of her interests, but sometimes his timing felt particularly insensitive.And when he got in the mood, he seemed to go from zero to about a hundred.
"Rick, I'm emotionally spent from tonight.Talking about Margaret, dealing with everyone's grief.I'm just not in the right headspace for that right now."
She watched his face carefully, noting the brief flash of disappointment before he arranged his expression into something more understanding.This was their dance, one they'd performed hundreds of times over the years.Rick would express interest, Jennifer would politely decline, and they would both pretend his frustration wasn't obvious.
"Of course, I understand," Rick said, though his voice carried a slight edge."You've had a difficult evening."
"Thank you for being patient with me," Jennifer said, leaning over to kiss his forehead."I know I haven't been very available lately with everything that's been going on."
Rick nodded and reached for his phone from the nightstand."It's fine.I'll just catch up on the news for a bit before I turn off the lights."
Jennifer recognized this as Rick's standard retreat into his nightly ritual of scrolling through news articles and social media updates.It was his way of accepting her rejection gracefully, whilst creating some emotional distance.He was mad and he knew it, now he just needed to cool down.She appreciated that he didn't push or make her feel guilty, even though she could sense his disappointment.
And besides, they both had their nightly routines.He caught up on the news, and she tended to head downstairs for tea and some reading.It was something they'd long ago gotten used to, mainly because Rick needed a solid eight hours of sleep, whereas Jennifer was fine with just six and a half, and would rather stay up later.Out of courtesy, she usually went downstairs on the couch.
She kissed him on the forehead and left to do just that.She slipped on her robe and padded downstairs in her bare feet, grateful for the quiet solitude of their house after the emotional intensity of the evening.The kitchen was spotless, the way she always left it after dinner, and she took comfort in the familiar routine of preparing her nightly cup of chamomile tea.
She filled the electric kettle and selected her favorite mug from the cabinet, a cheerful yellow ceramic piece that Rick had given her for her birthday several years ago.The chamomile tea was her nightly ritual, something that helped her transition from the day's activities to the peaceful mindset she needed for sleep.While waiting for the water to boil, she thought about the evening's discussions and the strange new woman who had observed their group with such intensity.There had been something almost professional about Kate's questions, as if she was gathering information rather than simply getting acquainted.Jennifer wondered if she was overthinking the encounter, but something about the woman's presence had felt off.
The kettle clicked off, and Jennifer poured the steaming water over her tea bag, inhaling the floral scent that always reminded her of her grandmother's garden.She added a small spoonful of honey and stirred slowly, letting the familiar ritual calm her nerves.
Carrying her mug into the living room, Jennifer settled into her favorite corner of the sectional sofa and reached for the Dorothy Sayers novel she'd been reading.Gaudy Nightwas one of her favorite Sayers mysteries, and she'd been looking forward to returning to Lord Peter Wimsey's investigation into academic intrigue at Oxford.
The living room was softly lit by a single table lamp, creating the cozy atmosphere Jennifer preferred for her evening reading.She could hear Rick moving around upstairs, probably brushing his teeth and getting ready to sleep.Soon the house would be completely quiet, and she could lose herself in Sayers' elegant prose and complex plotting.She opened the book to her bookmark and settled back against the cushions, sipping her tea and letting herself sink into the familiar comfort of a well-crafted mystery.The tea was perfectly sweetened, warm and soothing as it always was, and she felt the tension from the evening's emotional discussions beginning to ease.
