Music to Die For by Radine Trees Nehring Read Free Book Online Page B

this. Besides, the sooner the law comes, the better. It’s best they get here before anyone else bothers things and destroys some kind of evidence. Or,” she looked at each of them, “don’t you want them to find Farel’s killer?”
    Neither of them answered her, and, after a moment, Carrie continued. “I know your first concern is Dulcey’s safety, and it’s mine too, but that doesn’t mean we can ignore a murder.
    “Think now. Would there have been someone helping Farel with her, a wife or friend? Where’s the rest of his family? Who else might have written the note? The bad spelling may have been faked.”
    Tracy began to squirm, her voice rising again as she said, “...go to Farel’s now...he was lying about bringing her back...musta wanted more money... she’ll be at his place...go there now. Chase, put me down. Let me go!”
    Over Tracy’s words, Carrie asked, “Where does
    Farel live? Can we get in his house without breaking in?”
    Tracy’s head bounced up, her eyes wild, too bright. “Dulcey will be there. We’ll find her! He lives alone, but I know where he hides his house key. It’ll be easy to get in.”
    “We won’t call the sheriff,” Chase repeated as if he hadn’t heard them. “You saw the note. And what about the news getting out?” His voice shook. “We’re news, oh, my Lord, are we news!”
    He looked down at his wife, then at Carrie. “We gotta find Dulcey quick. First thing we do is go to Farel’s house.” He said this as if it were something he’d just thought of.
    Eyes really can blaze with passion, Carrie thought as she watched him. His eyes were reflecting sparks from the candlelight.
    “Yes, we’ll go there,” she said as Tracy finally twisted free of her husband’s slackened hold and dropped to the floor, rocking slightly on her feet. Carrie noticed that Chase had moved quickly to wrap controlling fingers in the fabric of his wife’s full skirt.
    “But I am reporting Farel’s murder,” she said. “I’ll call 911 from a phone in the auditorium. I won’t say anything about the kidnapping yet. If we leave now we’ll have time to check Farel’s house and see if Dulcey might be there alone, or with someone you know. The sheriff won’t come until after he’s dealt with this.
    “But, if strangers are at Farel’s, we can’t approach the house without help. We’ll just stay hidden and keep watch until help comes. We might increase the danger to your daughter if we do anything more—do you understand?”
    Neither of them spoke. She looked at Chase. “Do you have a cell phone?” He nodded. “In the car.” “Good. We can call for help if we need it.” Now Carrie felt an electric energy moving her.
    She said, “I’m staying with you. You need a witness to everything you do from now on. And we must talk. I want to tell you about a woman I saw in the woods...”
     

Chapter V
    Tracy turned toward the door but was stopped by the tug of Chase’s fingers on her skirt. A small whimper came from her throat, though she said nothing and froze where she was.
    Chase hadn’t moved at all. He was staring at Farel, his eyes dark and pensive.
    Now they act hypnotized, Carrie thought.
    Her son Rob would be ready to take action. At thirty, Rob often seemed older than his mother, and he was more deliberate about making decisions than she was. But, once he’d decided what to do, he’d beat her out the door.
    Well, neither Rob—nor Henry—was here. She was on her own.
    In comparison with Rob, Tracy seemed so childlike, so unequipped to deal with this tragedy. Perhaps, as a defense against the dreadful circumstances she was facing, her rational mind had shut down.
    And Chase? He was arrogant and self-centered. Carrie found it hard to like him, talented and famous or not. She wondered if he went to church, if he ever prayed. As far as she was concerned, not even worry about Dulcey could be an acceptable excuse for the way he was acting.
    And there was something else