Read Online The Reunion by Suzanne Rossi - Free Book Online Page A

Mrs. Peterson prior to tonight,” the sheriff stated.
    “I knew her, but not well. She was on the pom-pom squad. Everybody loved her.”
    “What did the two of you talk about?”
    Jill shrugged and raised her hands palms up. “The usual—kids, where we lived, the reunion—just ordinary things.”
    “Any idea who might want her dead?”
    “None whatsoever. Annabelle got along with everybody. She chatted with a lot of people tonight. I saw her leave about half an hour or so before the screaming started.”
    “Which door did she use?”
    “The one to the terrace.”
    “Did you see anybody follow her outside?”
    “Are you kidding? It’s hotter than hell in here. People were coming and going on a regular basis.” Jill shuddered and swiped at her eyes again. “I just can’t believe this has happened.”
    “Are you staying in the hotel?”
    “Yes,” Ted answered. “Room five-twenty.”
    “Thank you. You’re free to leave.”
    Meghan watched Ted and Jill rise, then head for the lobby. Several people from other tables did the same as the deputies finished with them. At this rate, it would take hours to question everyone.
    Sheriff Armstrong turned his attention to Tom and Glory. Meghan noted with relief that Glory appeared more in control.
    “Tom, Glory, I’ll be as quick about this as I can. Then the two of you can get home.”
    “Oh, we’re staying at the hotel,” Tom told him.
    “Why? You live two miles away.”
    Glory smiled and sipped some water. “I’m on the reunion committee and thought it would make better sense to stay overnight in case someone from out of town needed something. I suggested it to Eileen a couple of weeks ago. She thought it was a good idea.”
    “What’s your room number?”
    “Four-nineteen,” she replied.
    “Tom, describe your view of the evening. Did you talk to Annabelle?” the sheriff asked.
    “I spoke with her and Eric after we ate. It was just a quick ‘hello, how are you’ kind of thing. I don’t even remember what we talked about.”
    “How was the party going?”
    “Fine. I was having a lot of fun.”
    Ray Armstrong’s eyes shifted to Glory. “How about you, Glory? Did you talk to Annabelle?”
    “Some. I remember speaking to her just before the dancing started. I welcomed her and Eric back to Grandview. They live in Cincinnati, you know. We chatted for a few minutes about family and such, and then I moved on to another table.”
    “Was Tom with you the whole time?”
    “What do you mean, was I with her?” Tom demanded with an indignant expression.
    The sheriff raised his hand. “Relax, Tom. If the two of you were separated, then you may have seen different things.”
    “Well, you didn’t ask that of Ted and Jill.”
    “Jill would have stayed close to her husband to introduce him to her classmates, whereas you and Glory already know most of the people present.”
    Glory laid her hand on Tom’s arm. “Don’t worry, dear. I’m sure Ray doesn’t suspect us of anything. What else do you want to know?”
    “Did you see Annabelle leave the room?”
    “No, I’m afraid not.”
    “Did you leave the room at any time?”
    “Yes, I went to the ladies’ room a couple of times, and stepped onto the terrace for a moment to catch a breath of air.” She frowned. “I’m afraid we didn’t think about how hot the room might become with the dancing and all.”
    “Any idea who’d want to hurt Annabelle Peterson?”
    Glory shot a nasty glance at Suzanne before smiling at the sheriff. “No. She was the sweetest person in the whole world. Are you sure she didn’t stumble and fall, or have a stroke or something?”
    “I can’t say much right now, but we don’t think it was an accident. Glory, I understand you fainted when you discovered the body was that of Annabelle Peterson.”
    “I’m afraid I did. It was all so shocking and I’d been so worried about everyone having a good time, I didn’t eat much dinner. And it was so hot in the room. I guess