The Turtle Mound Murder by Mary Clay Read Free Book Online Page A

Lots of cute shops, great
restaurants.”
    I picked the crust off my sandwich. “I like
Vinings, but I’m not sure I want to stay in Atlanta. There’s
nothing to hold me there.”
    Ruthie looked stricken. “What about the
kids?”
    “Ann’s going to London in January, and Zack,
Jr. seems happy in Vail. His old girl friend just moved out there
to be with him. The kids went to Vanderbilt, so most of their
friends are in Tennessee. Neither of them are particularly thrilled
with their father. There’s no need for me to stay in Atlanta for
their sake.”
    “What about Penny Sue and me? We DAFFODILS
have to stick together.”
    I patted her hand soothingly. “I’d always
come back to visit.”
    “I would hope so,” she said, looking
sad.
    “For the first time I can do whatever I
want. Until now, my life has been one big obligation. School, then
marriage, the kids, even the divorce. There were certain steps you
had to follow, certain things you had to do; shoot, even certain
stages of grieving. Duty has always determined my life. But, I have
no responsibilities at this moment. It’s a funny feeling.”
    Ruthie poured some tea and handed me the
plate of sandwiches. I took one and started peeling the crust off
again.
    “What about you?” I asked. “Haven’t you ever
thought of moving, doing something else?”
    “Sure,” she said slowly. “Jo Ruth’s been
accepted to med school at Chapel Hill. I’d move up there if it
weren’t for Poppa; he’s my responsibility.”
    “You’re here.” I swept my arm in a wide
arc.
    “Oh, I have lots of freedom. Mr. Wong and
the housekeeper take care of Poppa’s physical needs; I provide the
emotional support. I owe him. After all, Poppa was there for me
when I got divorced; it’s my turn now.”
    I nodded. “An obligation. I’d feel exactly
the same way.”
    “What are y’all up to? You look awfully
serious.” Penny Sue stood in the doorway, peering across the top of
her Chanel sunglasses.
    I held up the plate of sandwiches. “Having a
little snack. Cream cheese and olive.”
    “Just what I need.” Penny Sue perched on a
stool at the counter and took a sandwich. “Hand me the pepper,
please.” She doused the sandwich liberally and took a bite. “Hm-m.
Onion, it needs onion.” She found a Vidalia in the refrigerator and
cut a thick slice. “Delicious,” she muttered between bites.
    Ruthie watched with distaste. “Are you sure
there’s nothing wrong with your hormones?”
    “I’ve taken care of that. I’m doing hormone
replacement therapy.” Penny Sue finished her half and took another.
“You know what would be good on this? Jalapeño pepper jelly. Would
you fetch it from the frig, Ruthie?”
    Ruthie handed her the jar. “Maybe you need
to cut back on the estrogen.”
    Penny Sue slathered a thick layer of jelly
on the bread and tasted it. “Mmm-m. What, ruin all this fun? Not a
chance.”
    I didn’t hear from the realtor again that
afternoon. We never left the deck, so I couldn’t have missed the
call. Truth be told, I was relieved. When the house sold, I’d have
to make some decisions, and fast.
    Ruthie brought out her laptop computer and
cast my astrology chart. “You have Mars in Libra, so you hate
conflict and have a hard time making up your mind.”
    No kidding. Tell me something I don’t know.
“Can you see anything about a job?”
    “Well, your twelfth house shows a need to
search for truth and wisdom. You’d probably be good at some kind of
investigation.”
    Penny Sue sat up. “Isn’t that what you did
after graduation?”
    “I worked for an accounting firm doing
audits. I guess that was investigation of sorts.”
    “Ever thought of taking it up again?” Penny
Sue asked, munching on her sandwich.
    “It’s terribly demanding. Long hours, lots
of travel, I’m not sure I could keep up.”
    “There must be another way to use your
expertise,” Ruthie said.
    I rubbed my neck. I was starting to get a
headache. “I’m open to