Diner Impossible (A Rose Strickland Mystery) by Terri L. Austin Read Free Book Online

punished for those crimes?”
    “It’s not supposed to work like that. If he didn’t kill Delia, he shouldn’t take the rap for it. No matter what else he’s done.”
    “What if Mathers did commit this crime? He and Delia could have argued about the pregnancy and in a fit of rage, he killed her?”
    “No. I don’t believe that. And when you read the report, you’ll see that’s not how it happened. Delia was murdered in her bed, probably while she was asleep. There are no defensive wounds. None of the neighbors heard a sound. These facts were held back from the public.”
    “And you’re sure it was Martin’s baby?”
    He didn’t answer immediately. “No. There were more rumors that Delia had been seeing someone else. That’s where you come in. I want you to find out what really happened. Whether it leads back to the chief or not. But my instincts tell me he didn’t do it.”
    It was a lot to take in. I needed time to let all the facts play out in my head, read over the report. “Got any scoop on Annabelle Mathers? I’m meeting with her tomorrow.”
    “How did you manage that?”
    “She and my mother are friends.” I decided not to get into the whole shebang with Barbara’s dueling request to prove Martin’s innocence.
    Andre shrugged. “I’ve only met her a couple of times. She seems fragile to me, delicate.”
    “Did she know about Martin and Delia’s affair?”
    “I have no idea. But their children are a handful.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “His oldest, Mason, has been to rehab on numerous occasions. The boy’s sixteen, insolent, a delinquent, and worse. We’ve caught him several times with drugs, but we always cut him loose. And Molly is eighteen. She’s a brilliant musician from what I understand. Word is, she’s been to psychiatric clinics. Gifted, but troubled.”
    Martin Mathers was a piece of work. I felt sorry for his kids, being raised by such an asshole. Of course they wouldn’t reach adulthood unscathed. Not with him as a father.
    “I want you to set up a meeting with the cop and the dispatcher. The sexting ones that got fired.”
    He stared out the windshield, his fingers stroking the curve of the steering wheel. “I have to tread carefully here. Tell you what, I’ll call them and see if they’re willing to meet with you. That’s the best I can do.”
    Exhaustion made my brain a little fuzzy and my attitude a smidge bitchy. “Then just give me their names, I’ll talk to them myself.”
    “Fine. I’ll set it up and call you.” He shook his head. “Perhaps this whole thing was a mistake,” he mumbled to himself.
    “Possibly. But a wise man thinks about the consequences before he embarks on a task,” I said.
    He pointed his chin at me. “Who said that?”
    “Master Dragon Chinese Takeout. Found it in a fortune cookie last week. If you think of anything else, call me.”
    “Likewise,” he said.
    On my way home, I phoned Roxy and asked if she wanted to meet up at my apartment. I needed a strong cup of coffee and a second pair of eyes to look over Delia Cummings’ file. Rox was waiting in the lot by the time I got there. Together we exited our cars and climbed up the stairs.
    “So how was dinner with your mom?” she asked as I unlocked my front door. “Does she have a tumor?”
    I walked in first, flipped on the light, and hung my jacket beside the door. “You’re not going to believe it. She wanted a favor. To clear her friend’s husband of murder.”
    She shrugged out of her pink fuzzy coat. “Your mom asked you for a favor like that? And who’s her friend?”
    “Annabelle Mathers.”
    “Oh my God,” she said between chomps of gum, “that’s perfect. It’s like the universe is calling your name. And it’s not even speaking Klingon.”
    “Right?” I flipped on my refurbished laptop, and because it took longer to boot up than sending a message by carrier pigeon, I had time to make coffee. “Now I’ll have access to Martin Mathers’ wife and all