Page 61 of Justice for Samara

“Will do.”

“Thanks, Chadha. Be back as soon as I can.”

By the time he reached the SUV’s door, he’d already hit the remote start and it was ready to roll. Glenna’s family owned a small vineyard out near the old winery, and he’d loved it there when they were dating. He’d loved her parents too. They’d been devastated when Glenna dumped him, and he couldn’t wait to see them.

The house looked exactly the same from the outside, so he parked on the circular drive and climbed the big stone front steps. It was an old farmhouse that dated back to the late eighteen hundreds, with a high porch and tall columns. As soon as he pushed the doorbell button, a voice came through. “Hello. Who is it?”

“Is this Mrs.Thomas?”

“Yes it is. Can I help you?”

“Norma, it’s MichaelEdwards. Could we talk for a minute, please?”

She didn’t answer, and he didn’t know whether to stand there or leave when the door opened. “Oh, Michael! It’s so good to see you, honey!” There was no opportunity to so much as move before she launched herself at him and hugged him tightly. That was when he noticed.

She was wearing a turban. And he knew what that meant.

“Hi, Norma! Good to see you too.”

“Oh, Michael, we’ve missed you! Come in, come in! Would you like something to drink?”

“You know, that would be nice, but how ’bout if I get it so you can sit down?”

“You always were such a gentleman. I think I’d like a lemon-lime soda.”

“Coming right up.” Michael headed through the house he’d spent so many hours in and walked into a kitchen he almost didn’t recognize. “Wow! You’ve completely redone the kitchen. It looks great.” That wasn’t an exaggeration. A renovation like that had cost them at least his entire year’s pay.

“It needed it. It was definitely time.” By the time he returned, she’d scooted back into the sofa and drawn her legs up on it. “I’m so glad to see you. Tell me, how are you doing? You’re a deputy now?”

“Chief deputy. CarterMelton is my boss.”

“I’ve met Carter. Such a nice man, and that sweet little baby they adopted. What’s her name? Angela?”

“It’s actually Angel. They got her right before Christmas year before last.”

“Oh! Well, she’s adorable, and his wife is very pretty. Shame about her niece.”

“Yes, it was. So how are you?”

“Pretty good, I suppose. It was in remission, and now it’s back. Damn breast cancer. You’d think by now they could cure it.”

“You’d think. And how’s Glen?” Glenna’s dad had always liked him.

“He’s doing pretty good. Fell a few months ago and twisted his ankle. He’s still nursing it, but I think it’s okay.”

“Good. Is he here by any chance? I’d love to see him.”

“I wish he was. He’d love to see you too. He’s at the garden center, getting topsoil. Flower bed out back keeps washing out.”

“Oh, I’m sure he can figure out how to stop that. He’s a pretty handy guy.”

“You always were too! And always so kind and caring. Sure nothing like that no-good son-in-law of ours. What a piece of shit.” It took everything he had not to laugh out loud. Norma never said anything like that, so she had to really hate Stadler. If he was right, she was going to hate him a whole lot more very soon.

“So you know about their house?” She gave him a curious stare. “Sunday night?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“You haven’t talked to Glenna?”