Bernadine Fagan - Nora Lassiter 02 - Murder in the Maine Woods by Bernadine Fagan Read Free Book Online Page A

fool? Did you date Buster?”
    She waved her hand in dismissal and rocked faster.
    “Vivian, I need to know what you meant. I can’t help you if I don’t know the whole story.”
    “Nothing much. It had to do with the dogs. He once told me he liked them. That was a big fat lie. I need a good lawyer,” she said quickly. “I figured your family must know someone. They’ve lived here forever and know everyone.”
    I did not believe her. But I realized she wasn’t going to say more at the moment.
    “I’ll speak to my aunts today.”
    “Nick read me my rights. I didn’t want to speak to him before I told you what happened. I trust you, Nora. I know you’ll find the killer, so I wanted you to know the whole story first.”
    “Okay, Vivian.” I stood to leave.
    “I’ve watched a few cop shows,” she said, “and I know that sometimes a person thinks they’re saying something completely innocent to the cops, but it gets twisted around to make them look guilty.”
    “The aunts will recommend a good lawyer, Vivian. No need to be afraid of incriminating yourself.” I paused. “Then you have to tell me about your relationship with Buster, all of it.”
    “I did,” she said, looking so indignant I almost believed her.
    Trimble escorted Vivian back to her cell, and I accompanied her. We said our good-byes. As I was walking away, she called me back.
    “I have one more favor to ask.”
    “Anything. Just name it.”
    I w as way too quick to promise. Way, way, way too quick. I would regret that later.
    Both hands gripping the bars, her chubby cheeks pressed into the narrow opening between them, lo oking beyond pathetic, she said, “Please take care of my babies.”
    Babies?

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    SEVEN
     
     
    Since venturing into the lions’ den does not require a shower, I skipped that. With trepidation that bordered on panic, with knees actually knocking, I donned my L.L. Bean jeans and a blue T-shirt. Normally, I am not an L.L. Bean kind of woman. I prefer designer labels but you go with what works. The plan was to feed the dogs and clean up their pen, then feed Vivian’s cats and change their litter.
    Omigod, what had I gotten myself into agreeing to such insanity? I was not an animal person. Because of my allergies, we never had a pet in our house, not even a little hamster. Oh, how I’d wanted a pet when I was a kid, a cute little kitten to cuddle, a puppy to play with and call my own.
    My mother had the final word.
    I won’t risk it, Nora. Bad enough I had to lay out money for your braces. I refuse to spend time in a doctor’s office because of your allergies. No pets. End of discussion.
    To make myself feel better today, sort of better, I concentrated on what I’d do post-animal duty. I decided to prepare what I’d wear. Clothes always made me feel better, like magic. I unpacked the sealed box of clothes that my friend Lori sent from my apartment. Since I figured I was leaving so soon, I hadn’t bothered to open it.
    I made selections, and carefully laid them out on the chintz-covered chair. Sand-colored slim jeans wi th a slight boot cut, a white T-shirt, a cherry-colored, lined, waist-length jacket that I’d picked up for a song at a special sale, along with a pink belt studded with recessed crystals. Nice. I pictured myself wearing these in a few hours. It helped, but not much.
    When I decided I’d delayed as long as I could, I rifled through a bag in the back of the closet looking for a working jacket. October is cool in Maine. I found an ancient olive drab jacket with gold buttons that should have been tossed a century ago. A few moth holes decorated the sleeves and collar, but it would do. The mothball smell did nothing to deter the creatures.
    Downstairs I found an old relative’s clunky boots. Perfect. I was good to go.
    When Ida saw me, she clasped her hands to her heart. “That jacket belonged to my cousin Sheila. She wore it as a WAC during WWII.”
    “I’ll take good