Murder at Barclay Meadow Read Online Free PDF

confidently back at the camera. This was a girl who loved life and had no interest in dying.
    *   *   *
    â€œAre you a friend of the family?” the woman next to me asked as we waited our turn to exit the church.
    â€œNo,” I said. I smiled briefly and turned away. I was hoping to get out of there unnoticed. I felt a tap on my shoulder.
    â€œSo, who are you?”
    I looked up. Her thin, penciled eyebrows had risen to expectant arches.
    â€œI’m … well … I’m…”
    â€œA stutterer?”
    â€œNo.” I coughed out a laugh. “Not usually.”
    â€œWell, you’d never know it.” She was still smiling, her lips coated in a rich, wine-colored lipstick.
    â€œI found Megan,” I said. “She was in my marsh grasses.”
    â€œSeriously? Oh my God.” She placed a hand on my arm.
    â€œExcuse me, ladies,” said the man behind us. “The line is moving.”
    â€œCome on,” she said. “Let’s talk outside.”
    We walked into the too-bright sunlight. I followed her over to a clump of euonymus bushes, their leaves burning a vivid red. She slipped on a pair of owl-eyed sunglasses. I squinted up at her. “I’m Rosalie, by the way.”
    â€œRhonda. Oh, and I am a friend of the family.” She held a black Kate Spade clutch in both hands. “I can’t believe you found Megan’s body. How awful was it?”
    â€œIt was devastating. I will never forget it as long as I live.”
    â€œNo, probably not.” She frowned. “But why are you here?”
    â€œFinding her has touched me deeply. I have a daughter in college, too. I can’t imagine something like this happening to her. It’s a mother’s worst nightmare, right? I wanted—no, needed —to pay my respects. I would like to extend my sympathy to her parents, if that’s possible.”
    â€œNothing personal, but I seriously doubt they want to talk to you.”
    â€œYou’re right. I wouldn’t want to talk to me, either. It would be much too painful.” I hitched my bag higher up on my shoulder. “How are they holding up?”
    â€œNot well.”
    â€œOf course not. How could they be?”
    â€œI’ll be surprised if the marriage survives this one. It wasn’t exactly in great shape to begin with.” She glanced around and lowered her voice. “Did you know Bill is Megan’s stepfather?”
    â€œNo, I didn’t. Where is Megan’s father?”
    â€œHe was already married. When Corinne told him she was pregnant, he denied Megan was his child. I told Corinne to do the DNA thing, you know, make him get tested, but then she met Bill. After Bill adopted Megan she let it go. I still think she should have done it just to get some cash out of the bastard.”
    â€œYou’ve known the family a long time?”
    â€œMy Chelsea and Megan were best friends since they were toddlers.” She pulled a lipstick from her clutch and touched up her lips. “Sorry,” she said and snapped the cap back on. “It’s so dry this time of year.”
    â€œYour daughter must be crushed. Is she still in the church?”
    â€œActually, Chelsea couldn’t make it.” Rhonda’s mouth twitched. “The University of Delaware soccer team had an important game and she couldn’t get away. I know that must sound terrible, but … well, Chelsea was on the bench most of the time until Megan…” She waved her long, manicured fingers at me. “I shouldn’t be getting into this now.”
    â€œWell, at least you’re here. I’m sure the family will understand why Chelsea couldn’t make it.”
    â€œYou think?” She sounded skeptical.
    â€œI’ve been to my share of funerals lately. The grieving family appreciates the people who show—I don’t think they resent the ones who don’t.”
    Rhonda