She tossed the blankets back gently, rose, gathered her clothes, and went into the bathroom to do her morning routine. When she headed toward the bedroom door, Pedro was sitting up.
“I didn’t mean to wake you, it’s only five, go back to sleep.”
“You’re sure? Can you wake me at six?”
She walked over to her side of the bed, and turned on the alarm, then kissed him, and smiled when he settled back into the bed. She picked up the small box she had placed there the night before, and padded out to the kitchen. Since she had seen Pedro get it ready the night before, she turned on the coffee pot, and waited for it to perk. Once she had her cup, she settled at the table, opened the box, pulled out the contents and began to read.
She looked up when she heard movement, andsaw her three house guests entering the kitchen. She noted it was almost seven, and Pedro refilled her coffee cup, his, and the two agents’.
“Hey, guys,” she said in a voice that made everyone pause to look at her.
“Mary was right, Mark was having an affair, and I know who it was with.”
CHAPTER 18
The peoplein the kitchen froze as they were starting breakfast, and it was Lela who saw all the papers spread out across the table.
“What’s all this?”
“I found it yesterday when we cleaned out the attic. I didn’t recognize it, and when I opened it, I saw the contents and took it to my room last night.” She saw Lela and Robert’s expressions and shook her head at them. “I am not withholding information. I saw something with my name on it, that I did not know was there, and I read it for myself. I am now sharing it with you. I’ve only been up since five, not even two hours, and I’m telling you about it.” She knew she sounded defensive, but she couldn’t help it.
“What is it?” Pedro asked.
Instead of answering right away, she gathered the papers and stacked them up. With them in one pileshe put something on top, then pointed to that box. “That’s what I found.”
“What is it?” Robert asked as he started pulling ingredients from the refrigerator.
“You don’t have to cook, Robert,” Myrna said as she studied him. “You made dinner.”
“Humor me,” he said with a grin. “I love to cook, but I never have anyone to cook for. My freezer is full of meals that I have leftovers from. I’ve been known to binge cook, and I do it in batches. I’ve also been known not to cook for a month or longer because I eat what’s in my freezer.”
No one said anything at his explanation, but they all nodded as he continued pulling out items. “Go on, what did you find?”
“This is something that Mary must have put there.” She shook her head as she picked up the top page and began to read:
Myrna,
If you’re reading this, then I’m no longer here. I know I should have given this to you in person, but at the last minute I chickened out. I took the coward’s way out by not wanting to answer any questions. I left this information in your attic because you said you were going to clean it out. I also left it because I knew you would avenge my death. This next statement is being said from the bottom of my heart, and I have the proof in the following pages.
Mark Griffin and his girlfriend, Avery Mosher, murdered me. From the second I suspected he was cheatingon me, I began a journal. That is included with this letter. There are also samples of things he would feed me, where I would get sick within minutes of ingesting it.
I don’t know if I was being spiteful, or petty when I sold you Sally. I did it because I overheard Mark and Avery one night when they thought I was too sick to get out of bed. That was after he cooked for me. Anyway, Avery said that when I was gone, then because Mark would inherit everything, she would then get to have Sally all to herself. It’s in the journal, but she said she couldn’t afford a horse on a cop’s salary. Yes, she is a patrol officer for the Lakewood Police Department. Some of the evidence I have has her fingerprints on it, along with Mark’s.
Myrna, thank you for being my friend all these years, and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you what I suspected, or knew. I know you, and you will do everything in your power to avenge me.
I love you like the sister I never had,
Love,
Mary
Myrna looked up and saw three people staring at her in shock.
“What?”
“What else is in the box?” Robert asked quietly.
“I don’t know, I haven’t looked yet.”
