Read Online A Killer Crop by Sheila Connolly - Free Book Online Page A

her mother seemed to have aged overnight. What had Daniel been to her? More than an old friend, at least once upon a time. But now was not the time to probe. “Meg, darling, are you sure you can spare the time from your orchard?”
    Meg refused to look for sarcasm in her mother’s comment. “Apparently. Today I’m between ripenings, according to Bree, although that can change daily. I wondered if you’d like to have lunch, and maybe I could show you a bit of Amherst?” If Weston hadn’t already shown her the sights.
    “That would be delightful, but as it happens, Daniel’s memorial service is this morning.”
    How did she know? Had Rachel told her? “And you’re going?” Meg said, trying to keep her tone neutral. She wasn’t sure if that was a good or a bad idea, under the circumstances. Elizabeth was neatly dressed in dark pants and a jacket, with a conservative blouse in muted tones; Meg suppressed the irreverent thought that her mother had brought just the right clothes for attending a funeral.
    “Of course. He was an old friend.”
    Was that all he was? Meg thought for a moment. Her mother was still hiding something—that much she would put money on. But if Elizabeth was thinking about going to the service, she must feel sure that her presence wouldn’t be ill received. Or maybe she just wanted to send the message that her encounter with Daniel Weston had been completely open and aboveboard—just two old friends getting together. Would Detective Marcus be there? Would Daniel’s wife? Children? Members of the college faculty?
    “You should go now if you want to make it on time,” Rachel said.
    Elizabeth stood up quickly. “That’s no problem. Just let me find my purse. One minute, I promise.”
    As Elizabeth disappeared down the front hallway, Meg asked quietly, “Were you the one who told her about the service?”
    “Yes. Shouldn’t I have? I thought she might want to go, and no one else was going to notify her.” Rachel matched Meg’s tone.
    “No, that’s fine. I just wondered how she knew. I figured it was probably you. Did she say anything about . . . anything?”
    Rachel shrugged. “Not really. Of course, I don’t know what she’s usually like, but she’s seemed kind of subdued. She spent most of yesterday curled up in the front parlor with a book, but I’m not sure if she even read any of it.”
    That was troubling. “That’s not like her. I’ll see how things go today. Did she hear anything from Detective Marcus?”
    “Not that I know of. Nothing new on Professor Weston’s death?”
    “Art shared a few bits and pieces, but they don’t make much sense right now. No obvious cause of death, although the autopsy reports aren’t in, but no one seems to know what the man was doing where he was found. By the way, Seth showed me a picture of Daniel Weston—definitely an attractive man. I’ll fill you in later.” Meg could hear the brisk click of her mother’s heels approaching.
    “All set, dear,” Elizabeth said brightly.
    “Well, you two should get going or you’ll be late. You know where the church is?” When Meg shook her head, Rachel outlined the route.
    Meg said good-bye to Rachel and escorted her mother out to her own car. They drove the couple of miles to downtown Amherst with Meg making bland comments about the neighborhood, and her mother making predictable comments about the pretty trees. As the arrived at the church, Meg asked her mother, “Are you okay?”
    Elizabeth turned to Meg with an odd expression she didn’t recognize. “I suppose. I’m sad, more than anything—this isn’t how I expected . . . Poor Daniel. But I thought I should be here.”
    “Does Daddy know about any of this?”
    Elizabeth shook her head. “No, I haven’t been able to reach him. Besides, he would probably think he should be here, but I wouldn’t want him to interrupt his trip. I’ll represent the both of us. Shall we go in?”
    The church, another typical plain New England