Welcome to Tuesday Tales, powered by a small group of authors, where word prompts inspire passages in the books we’re writing. Today’s word is bread. This snippet is from a cozy mystery set in fictional Glisten, Georgia. When you finish reading, make sure to visit all the talented authors of Tuesday Tales.
Robin said drily, “So she says. There could be still more truth, yet untold.”
“Clancy believes her but says it’s too late for the DA to see sense. He will consider her version a fabrication to save her rear end. I’m going to visit her today, if they let me.”
“Roy says they won’t let allow it. By the way, Detective Pelier is fairly certain they’ve arrested the right person, too.”
I bristled. “Detective Pelier is a stiff-necked automaton with the people skills of a dungeon rat!”
“I have to agree with you there. When he questioned me, I felt guilty even though I didn’t do anything.”
“Luckily you had an alibi. It seems to me more evidence is needed about the disagreement between Jack and Vonna. If Luella was going to commit murder, I would think she’d need a better motive than has been articulated.”
“Suppose it was a desire to protect her bread and butter, the cousin she worshipped who had rescued her from homelessness. The accuracy of her conclusions about any disagreement between Jack and Vonna is anybody’s guess at this point.”
I shrugged, not even wanting to consider a murder done by inadvertent misadventure.
My best friend, temporary voice of everyman, continued her relentless march down persecution trail. “Luella had the means to drug the victim and strangle her. I’m talking about hands strong enough to yank that scarf tight and tie it into a knot. Especially if Vonna was drowsy from an administered drug. She would have been weak by that point. Luella also had opportunity—she lives right here, for God’s sake, not far from the spot where you found the body. She finally admitted meeting and arguing with the victim. With an eyewitness, the evidence seems damning looked at in a certain light. You said more evidence is needed about the disagreement between Jack and Vonna. Don’t be surprised if the authorities are investigating that right now. Did Dovie hear from them?”
Her words startled me, and I blurted, “No, and I hope they don’t bother her.”
She gave me a sympathetic look. “They think this mysterious eyewitness is their piece de resistance.”
“I’m convinced the witness saw the tail end of Luella and Vonna’s argument, not the beginning.”
“I hope you’re right. I’d hate to think she was guilty of something so horrible.” She considered. “Honestly, I’m with you, or–.” She smiled. “I’m trying to be.”
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Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Spirited Stories
All rights reserved, copyright @ 2024 Flossie Benton Rogers
Poor Luella. The deck seems stacked against her. Great scene.
Yikes! That sounds a pretty vicious killing described that way (not that murder is ever a pretty thing). Love that it’s so descriptive! Jillian
So true. Thanks, Jillian.
Robin’s theories make sense but I still believe Peri. Great job adding potential details about the characters!