Killer Moves: The 4th Jolene Jackson Mystery (Jolene Jackson Mysteries) Read Free Page B

relationship—competing but loyal cobras would be a more apt description. I followed Agnes into the kitchen, feeling uncomfortable with the gift. “That’s very thoughtful…”
    “No, buts,” she said, setting the bag on the counter. “Your mother insisted I come over and clean out the refrigerator. I did, but it was hardly worth the trouble since she never keeps a speck of decent food in the house anyway.”
    She had a point, but it still wasn’t her problem. I started to tell her that, and that I’m a big girl and quite capable of finding my way to the grocery store and perhaps even cooking something, but I didn’t. That’s just how people were around here sometimes—how Agnes was anyway—and to refuse her gesture would have hurt her feelings. “Well, thank you very much for thinking of me, Agnes. I really appreciate it.”
    “You’re quite welcome. I certainly feel better knowing you have some good things to eat. You need to take care of yourself. You’ve got a lot to deal with.”
    That was the understatement of the year. “Speaking of which, have you talked to my mother this morning?”
    “Oh, yes, she called about seven.” Agnes pushed her glasses up on her nose and smiled. “I didn’t tell her you were here, but I expect she’ll be calling you shortly to see when you will be.”
    I expected it too. “Thanks. I thought I’d surprise her later today.”
    “That’s good. She’s carrying on something fierce about that rehab place. It seems awful nice to me, more like a hotel and spa, but she’s having a fit about everything.”
    “As I understand it, she’s next in line to be murdered.”
    Agnes nodded and sighed. “I suppose collecting evidence keeps her occupied, but it sure makes her determined to find an accomplice for a jailbreak. I’m just glad you’re here now to talk some sense into her.”
    Optimistic thought, that, but hardly realistic. I’d never been able to talk my mother into or out of anything and Agnes very well knew it. But, hope springs eternal I suppose. “We’ll see,” I muttered.
    Agnes put the last of the containers in the refrigerator and closed the door. “It was just a blessing that she got her broken hip the way she did. If she’d fallen here at home by herself, well, I just don’t know if she could have stood the indignity of it—those were her words, of course.”
    Of course. But I had to agree. Falling at home was an “old people” thing. Being injured in the course of a homicide investigation—or, technically, interfering with one—was the stuff celebrities were made of, not that she didn’t have enough notoriety already.
    “Me, I have two artificial hips and am quite glad of it,” Agnes continued. “Never bothered me for a second, but you know how your mother is.”
    Yes indeed, we all know how my mother is.
    Agnes folded the sack and tucked it under the sink then walked to the front door. She pulled a slip of paper out of her pocket and handed it to me. “These are all the phone numbers of the people around here in case you need them. Call me any time, of course.”
    “Thank you, again, Agnes,” I said sincerely, “for everything.”
    She pushed open the glass storm door and stepped outside. “If you want me to go up the hill with you to the house, just let me know.” Looking me in the eye, she added, “It’s probably best not to go up there alone.”
    I opened my mouth to ask her what she meant by that, but she’d already turned and scurried to the car. I had plenty of reasons why going alone sounded like a bad idea, but I had a feeling she had better ones. “Well, shit,” I said, closing the door and continuing to talk to myself. “That just can’t be good.”

 
    Chapter 4
     
     
    After a long shower and a quick breakfast of eggs and toast, graciously provided by Agnes, I went over the list of what I needed to do before the end of the day. It was neither a short nor fun-filled list. The un-fun part included finding a place to