Page 31 of Murder on Charity Lane

“I have news!” she announced, plopping into her seat.

A drop of water splashed Ocean’s face. Mrs. B was wearing her cotton navy sailor-suit maxi-dress, to match the marine theme of the YMCA swim classes. She must’ve raced from the locker room to share the gossip, because her white pixie cut was still soaking wet.

“You set a new record for the over-eighties women’s bench press?”

“Even better.”

Ocean pulled away from the curb. “You managed your bra without CJ?”

“The other women are happy to help.”

“You don’t need help.”

“No, but it’s mitzvah to let them do a mitzvah.”

“How convenient for you.”

“Would you hush?” Mrs. B said. “There’s been a death!”

Well, shit. Apparently someone had told Mrs. B about Frank DeYoung. That didn’t bode well. Still, Ocean played ignorant. “Oh, no. At the Y?”

“In Hope Ranch! At the party Sophie and Nicholas went to! It must’ve happened after they left. I can’t believe CJ didn’t call me. I had to learn about it through the water aerobics grapevine.”

Ocean could imagine how that went. A lot of whisper-yelling and meaningful splashing. “Did anyone know the dead guy?”

“Aha!” Mrs. B stacked her silver bangles on her wrist from the dashboard where she kept them during class. “So you already knew.”

“Knew what?”

“That CJ’s boss tumbled to his death.”

“No, I had no idea.”

“You’re a terrible liar. Did she text you?”

Ocean sighed. “Sophie and Nicholas were still there when it happened.”

“And they didn’t tell me?”

“They wanted to, but I wouldn’t let them. I didn’t want you to worry.”

“Worry? Why would I worry. This is wonderful news!”

“What are you talking about, you mad old woman?”

“Well, not for CJ. Poor girl. Have you seen her? You should give her a shoulder to cry on.”

“I offered, but she’s kind of turtling at the moment.”

Mrs. B huffed. “Turtling is for reptiles. Or amphibians, I never could tell the difference. In any case! The good news is that CJ doesn’t like Karina, did you know that?”

“I don’t even know who Karina is.”

“She’s Frank DeYoung’s much-de-younger wife.”

“I see what you did there.”

Mrs. B looked pleased. “So I’m pretty sure that she killed him.”