Page 18 of The Murder Club

Obviously she would not only have to call the security company but the police department as well.

Kids these days had no respect for their elders. She blamed the parents, who treated them like they were fragile babies rather than reckless delinquents. In her day she was beaten with a switch when she misbehaved. Now they got a cuddle and a new video game so they wouldn’t feel bad.

Cautiously she moved to peer into the pool. She wanted to make sure there wasn’t any damage, but she had enough sense to realize she wasn’t quite steady on her feet. She halted a few inches from the edge and leaned forward. She couldn’t see any obvious destruction, but it was already dark. It was impossible to see the bottom. She would have to check in the morning.

On the point of turning around, Pauline thought she heard the soft tread of footsteps, but with her mind fogged with gin, she didn’t fully comprehend her danger. Not until she felt strong hands plant themselves against her back. And even then, she assumed that her grandson had returned to spinelessly plead for her forgiveness.

More annoyed than concerned, Pauline was parting her lips to chastise Kevin for daring to enter her home uninvited when she was roughly shoved forward, sending her stumbling over the edge of the pool. A scream was wrenched from her lips and the gin and tonic flew from her hand as she tried to break her fall. A futile effort, as she plummeted downward at a terrifying speed. She screamed again as she smashed into the concrete bottom with shattering force.

Pain exploded in the top of her head, sweeping through her like a tsunami. Thankfully, it lasted a mere second before it was replaced with a numbing darkness. With a moan, Pauline gave in to the inevitable.

Her last thought was that she hadn’t had the opportunity to change her will. Her worthless grandson was going to end up with her money after all.

A damned shame.

* * *

Bailey slept remarkably well considering her crappy day. Or maybe that’s why she slept well, she conceded as she hopped in the shower and then later pulled on a pair of jeans and a Green Bay Packers sweatshirt. She’d been emotionally exhausted by the time she’d tumbled into bed. It was no wonder she’d slept like a log.

Entering the kitchen, she opened the door to let out Bert and Ernie. She’d put up a fence after getting the dogs, despite the fact there was nothing but an empty field behind her. Unless they were visiting Dorinda next door, she wanted them securely locked on her property. The railroad tracks were close enough to give her nightmares. Once they were inside and hoovering down their food without bothering to chew, she squeezed a fresh glass of orange juice and grabbed a muffin.

Not the healthiest breakfast, but she wasn’t really hungry. She’d just finished the muffin when her phone pinged. Just for a second, she considered ignoring the incoming text. Yesterday had been a shit show. She wanted to spend today pretending that none of it had happened.

The phone pinged again.

Of course she couldn’t ignore it. Her annoying curiosity wouldn’t let her.

She wrinkled her nose as she grabbed her phone from the table. Wasn’t there a saying about curiosity killing the cat?

Do I have your attention, Bailey? Welcome to the Murder Club.

Your first case begins today.

Bailey scowled, annoyed by the realization that the mysterious club member hadn’t given up.

Who is this? She typed the words before common sense could stop her.

Your greatest admirer

Greatest admirer? A strange unease crawled down her spine. They sounded like the words of a stalker.

Leave me alone, she texted back.

I can’t. You’ve been chosen.

Unchoose me.

Too late. I have created our first case. Solve it quick or else ...

Or else what? Was he—or she—talking about losing the game? Or threatening her?

Bailey’s mouth was dry, but she shook her head. The nasty confrontation with Gage Warren was making her overreact. This had to be a fellow member from the Murder Club. A few might be eccentric, but they’d never been hostile.

I’m not interested.

You will be.

A link to a newspaper article in the Grange Express News popped up. Grange was a town fifteen miles away. It was larger than Pike, but still small when compared to Madison or Green Bay.