Minnie Crockwell - Will Travel for Trouble 01 - Trouble at Happy Trails Read Online Free PDF

I…perished/vanished/died/disappeared, whichever term is most apt.
    “Whichever is most apt,” I murmured. Poor guy. I knew he hadn’t had a chance to marry or have children. I’d asked him that before. His voice had grown somber, and I thought I heard pain in his words. It was hard not seeing his expression. I had to go by tone in his voice exclusively.  
    Do you grow sleepy yet?
    “Not really. Now, I’m wondering about you.”
      You must allow your mind to rest, Minerva. It cannot be conducive to longevity to contemplate so many matters in the dark of night.  
    “I know,” I said quietly. I didn’t want to say anything, but it was also hard to sleep knowing Ben was always about, always available for a conversation.
    I will leave you now so you can rest.
    “Stop reading my mind,” I said.  
    I will try.  
    I heard him chuckle and then I knew he wasn’t there anymore. I turned over and closed my eyes, willing sleep to come.
    ****
    I woke up and checked the cell phone by my bed.  
    8 a.m.  
    I had slept soundly from about midnight to 8. I got out of bed, washed my face and hands, and moved into the main cabin of the RV to make coffee.  
    In the light of day, I could hardly believe the events of last night. I opened the door and peeked outside. Everything seemed fairly quiet. RVers hadn’t stampeded from the park in the early hours, leaving it desolate and abandoned.  
    I shut the door and eyed my computer resting on a computer desk in front of the passenger’s seat. I wondered what my ex-husband, John, would have to say about the goings-on. He was a police chief in a small Colorado city. We emailed only occasionally, but when we did, we volleyed several emails back and forth.
    I opened up my computer and started an email.
    Hey, John,
    So, guess what happened last night…
    I went on to tell him about Carl’s demise, the suspicion of murder that quickly changed to an assumption of suicide and the arrival of the brother.
    I never mentioned Ben in the emails…ever. More than anything, I wanted John’s approval, even 18 years after our divorce. I wanted him to think I was self-confident, on the ball, wise, learned, finally mature, a whole lot more petite than I was in actuality, and just generally a desirable woman whom he once loved and should again. I definitely didn’t want him to think I’d gone wacky and created my own giant eighteenth century rabbit.
    He responded almost immediately. John was great that way. Though we had parted ways at age 22 because I couldn’t find the wherewithal to grow up fast enough to imagine marriage to the same person for the rest of my life, he was unfailingly polite when I did contact him. He never initiated the contact.
    Gosh, kiddo,
    That sounds bad! Believe me, I’ve seen a few of those. Police hate to respond to domestic violence situations. They’re always so volatile and unpredictable. And they hate suicides. Messy business.
    Still, I’m glad to hear you’re finally getting out and traveling a bit. From the picture you sent me, that is one big RV. Brave girl to lug one of those oversized rigs around. I’m jealous. I can’t wait until I can retire and travel! That’s a long way off though.
    So, you think the circumstances of the suicide are suspicious? Did you tell the police? Be careful that they don’t set their sights on you though. He inserted a smiley face here. My best advice is to stay away from the whole thing. Let the police do their job. You may not know whether they consider the death a suicide or if they’re investigating a possible murder.
    I know you can stay clear of it. Right?
    You asked how I was doing. I’m fine. Busy at work. Not doing much else besides going to the gym. My ex (the second one) is moving back to town. I’m not looking forward to that. My sons will be happy to see her though…for short periods of time.  
    Ted graduated this summer and is off to college, where his older brother, Tad, will look after him.  
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