Read Online Even In Darkness--An American Murder Mystery Thriller by Lynn Hightower - Free Book Online Page A

her arrangements. I understand that she has not been eating. When I saw her she was curled up at the back of her cage, and she did not look well. She’s quite elderly, isn’t she? I’m wondering if she has arthritis meds or something she might be needing.’
    I have a flash of memory, of watching Caro give Ruby her pills. ‘I think she does, come to think of it. I’ll stop at my daughter-in-law’s house and pick them up. And I’ll be there as soon as I can.’
    â€˜Excellent. Ruby will be waiting. And if something comes up, and you won’t be able to get here, you’ll be sure to let me know?’
    â€˜Of course. But I’ll be there.’
    I flip the phone closed. A car with oversized speakers blows past, and the pulse of music makes me jump.
    A phone call from someone in the family? Instructions for me to pick the dog up? Caro’s dog. Andee’s dog.
    The FBI will be watching my mail. They are probably monitoring my phone. The Dark Man is getting in touch.
    I stop by the house to pack a bag and make arrangements for Leo. Marsha’s car is in the driveway and she has parked up near the front door, blocking the garage. I don’t want to tell her where I am going. It is impossible for her to keep a secret.
    I walk into the house, and she meets me at the door.
    â€˜There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you.’
    She has had her hair done. It has been shellacked to her head, and she is wearing a forest green silk blouse, and khakis. One hand is balled in a fist at her throat.
    â€˜Here I am. Why are
you
here?’
    â€˜I work here, remember? I had a hair appointment, I mentioned it yesterday. You
told
me to stay late. But listen, Joy. The FBI has been to my house. They told me about Caroline and Andee. They – Joy, do you realize they think you might have had something to do with that? I tried to tell them how ridiculous it was.’
    â€˜Thank you for that.’
    â€˜But what’s going on?’
    â€˜It’s complicated. All I know is that Caro and Andee are missing, and they have to check everybody out.’
    â€˜Has there been a ransom note?’
    I hesitate. ‘No, not yet.’
    â€˜Those agents – and by the way, that Mavis Jones agent girl is such a bitch. But they said you got some pictures in the mail. They showed me the envelope and asked me if I’d seen them. I told them it was part of my job to get the mail, and that I’d brought the envelope in myself. I remembered it. Giving it to you. And then they wouldn’t tell me what it was all about. Joy, what was it?’
    â€˜Pictures, Marsha. You don’t want to know.’
    Her mouth opens wide. ‘Pornography?’
    â€˜Of crimes.’
    â€˜What kind of crimes?’
    â€˜Murders. Executions.’
    â€˜
Joy.
’
    â€˜There were three of them, three people. Pictures of them shot in the throat. All of them evangelists I went to seminary with.’
    â€˜Did you say—’ Marsha puts her hand out as if to break her fall. Her face has gone chalk white.
    I take her elbow and lead her to the couch. Caroline and Andee have been kidnapped, and it is somehow tied into the execution of three evangelists that I used to know, and I am suspected of being involved. Collapsing in the foyer is a personal best for Marsha – in circumstances such as these how else will she be in the center? She will offer to help, then come unglued, that will be the pattern. Whether or not she will actually be of any help will be a matter of chance and caprice.
    But she is quite capable of crashing to the floor, and much too heavy for me to lift. I need to shut this down. I guide her to the couch and when she resists I admit I am a little bit rough, but I’m in a hurry. The Dark Man has instructions for me in Arkansas. I need to pick up Caro’s dog.
    As soon as I get her settled, Marsha doubles over and there is a film of sweat on her