Death by Lotto Read Online Free PDF Page A

comes once a week, but she has worked for me over fifteen years and is honest as the day is long. Then Jubal, that’s my nephew, comes over often to check on me. He was there the week before I started noticing things.”
    “So two people. That’s all?”
    “Yes.”
    “No window washers or gas men? No deliveries?”
    “I’m sure of it.”
    “Okay, we’re getting somewhere. Was there anything different that you did that week, something out of character for you? Did you bump into someone in the grocery store you hadn’t seen in a long time, or someone coming to the door asking questions? Anything different in your routine?”
    “No, nothing.” Ethel thought hard for a moment. “Well, the only thing that was different was that I asked Jubal to buy a lottery ticket for me. I didn’t feel well that day, so he went.”
    My heart started beating faster. “Tell me about this.”
    “I know this sounds silly, but every week I buy a lottery ticket with my late husband and son’s birthdays as the numbers. It is my way of honoring them. My husband died in a farming accident. The tractor turned over on him. And then my son died in Vietnam. Both silly tragedies.” Her wrinkled cheeks became flushed as she looked at Lady Elsmere for support.
    “It’s not that I expect to win or that I even need the money. After all, I have my social security and my husband’s pension. But I thought that if I did, I would give the money away to worthwhile causes in their names. It was my little way of honoring their lives, you see.”
    Lady Elsmere reached over and clasped her friend’s hand. “That is a lovely sentiment, Ethel. Just lovely.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Did Jubal give you the ticket?”
    “Of course.”
    “Did you win?”
    Ethel gave a bitter little laugh. “No, I never win.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yes, dear, I checked the paper on Sunday. I didn’t win.”
    “What did you do with the ticket?”
    “I always keep the tickets in my Bible to use as bookmarks.”
    “Does Jubal know where you keep the tickets? The housekeeper?”
    “Yes to both.”
    “Was your Bible at home during the times that you thought someone was searching?”
    Ethel’s face seemed to come alive. “Now that you mentioned it, yes. I thought the Bible had been moved from its regular place on my night stand.”
    “How do you mean?”
    “Well, I always place my Bible facing towards me on the nightstand, right on the edge, so it is easy for me to reach. The day that I thought someone had been in the house, the Bible was placed the same way, but too far away for me to reach easily when I was in bed. That’s when I noticed the difference. I had to lean over to pick it up.”
    “Did your car accident happen after this?”
    “Yes. Oh, goodness, you don’t think my nephew had anything to do with it?”
    “Is he a blood nephew?”
    “No, he is my husband’s brother’s son.”
    “So he’s really not any blood kin to you,” I thought out loud.
    “One never knows about nephews,” said Lady Elsmere. “I’ve got one on my hands now whom I would like to chuck out. They can be a nuisance.” She turned and looked at me. “What do you think?”
    “I would hire a private investigator as you suggested, June. And I would stay with someone until this is over,” I said to Ethel. “Plus I would have a home security system installed with a camera at both doors so you can see if anyone goes in or out of your house when you’re not there.”
    Ethel’s eyes grew very wide. “Really? Oh dear, this sounds serious.”
    “I would take it seriously too. Take it from someone who didn’t take things seriously enough and got thrown off a cliff for it. Better to err on the side of caution.”
    “That settles it. You’ll stay with me, Ethel. I won’t take no for an answer,” demanded June.
    “What about a change of clothes?”
    I looked at Lady Elsmere. “Send Amelia over for a change of clothes.”
    “I have a cat, Petty.”
    “Amelia will feed