Read Online Berried Secrets by Peg Cochran - Free Book Online Page B

about nine thirty.” It had been closer to nine fifteen, but Monica figured there was no harm in rounding off the time.
    Stevens grunted. “Culbert’s wife said he left home on some undisclosed errand around nine thirty. I’m afraid that doesn’t eliminate your brother. I don’t suppose there is anyone who can vouch for you during that time?”
    â€œMe?” Monica was aghast. It had never occurred to her that she might be considered a suspect. “But I didn’t know Culbert . . . I only got here a couple of weeks ago . . . why would I—”
    Stevens waved her to a stop. “It’s just routine. I have to ask.”
    Maybe it was also routine that she’d asked about Jeff? Somehow Monica didn’t think so.
    Monica spread out her hands. “I was alone, I’m afraid. I went to bed early because we were getting up early to start the harvest the next morning.”
    â€œYou didn’t happen to hear anything, did you?”
    â€œHear anything?”
    â€œLike maybe the sound of a car? Voices? Something like that? I know your place is pretty far from the bog, but we’re quite sure Culbert was killed somewhere else and then moved to the bog in the wheelbarrow that was found near the site. Your brother has identified it as belonging to the farm.” Stevens looked around Monica’s living room. “Nice place, by the way.”
    â€œThank you,” Monica said, a little less stiffly. “No, I’m afraid I didn’t hear anything. I was tired. I imagine I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.”
    Stevens gave a tight smile. “It was a long shot.” She put her hands on either arm of the chair and pushed herself to a standing position. “I was going to start decorating the nursery tonight, but . . .” She shrugged. “That’s police work for you.”
    Monica followed her to the front door where she bid Stevens good-bye.
    Monica closed the door and leaned against it briefly. It was too bad she and Stevens were on opposite sides of the law. Well, not opposite sides actually. Monica was all for getting at the truth and seeing justice served. It was just a shame she and Stevens had had to meet this way. Monica suspected that under different circumstances, she and the detective could have become friends.
    She sighed as she headed back up the stairs to the bathroom. As she suspected, the bathwater was barely lukewarm. She let some of the water out and then turned the hot tap on full. Fragrant steam once again rose from the tub, and Monica sat on the edge for a moment letting it swirl around her face before heading into the bedroom to change into her robe.
    Monica was tying the belt when the phone rang. She knew she was a bit of a dinosaur for insisting on a landline, but she often forgot to charge her cell, no matter how many sticky notes she left around the house to remind herself.
    The phone shrilled again. Was it a robocall? A salesman? Someone taking a survey? The number didn’t look familiar, and she almost didn’t answer it, but grabbed the receiver at the last minute.
    â€œHello?” Monica said brusquely.
    â€œHello?” The voice was soft, a mere whisper. “Is this Miss Albertson? Jeff’s sister?”
    â€œYes. Who is this?” Monica felt a tingling in her stomach. The man had a foreign accent . . . could it be?
    â€œThis is Mauricio. I work for Jeff this morning. Maybe you remember me?”
    Monica gripped the receiver tighter. “Yes, I remember you,” she said as gently as possible, terrified that Mauricio would get scared and hang up before she had the chance to talk to him.
    â€œI need to ask you a favor, miss, please. I can’t go to the police. I am afraid they will think I killed Mr. Culbert.”
    â€œWhy would they think that?”
    There was a long silence. “Because I am not from your country.”
    â€œI