Murder Is Elementary Read Online Free PDF Page B

Carolina.
    Javier wandered back into the living room as he took a swig of his beer. He was within arm’s length of the laptop as he plopped like a rag doll onto the couch.
    “He’s going to notice it as soon as he goes for the remote,” said Carolina. She was shaking. Susan thought that “shaking with fear” was just an expression but apparently that’s exactly what Carolina was doing. Javier took another swig of his beer. Susan’s mind was in hyper mode as she evaluated possible escape plans.
    When the sound of the phone ringing broke the silence, both Susan and Carolina jumped. Susan bumped her nose on the chair. Javier got up and went into the bedroom to answer the phone. The bedroom door was open but Javier’s back was to the living room.
    When it became apparent that Javier was engaged in a conversation, Carolina said, “I’ll go out first. I’ll turn off the computer on the way. If he sees me I’ll say I just stopped by to check on him.” She pulled open the sliding glass door and glanced over to Javier. Then she crept up to the computer, turned it off and silently unlocked the front door. Then she motioned to Susan.
    Susan gently closed the sliding door and ran for the front door. “Phew, I’ve done my cardio for the day,” said Susan when they were safely outside the apartment. They got into the car and headed back to Carolina’s. “So did you find anything that could be helpful” asked Susan.
    “An empty vodka bottle under the bed––but that’s not that unusual these days. I grabbed some receipts and a business card that were in the nightstand drawer.” Just then they pulled into the driveway.
    “Let me see,” said Susan. Carolina pulled the crumpled receipts out of her coat pocket and handed them to Susan. Susan went through them. “Uh oh,” said Susan, after a few minutes had passed.
    “What is it?”
    “This receipt is from the gas station right next to the school. The time and date are from the evening of the concert. Can you think of any reason your dad would be getting gas all the way out there by the school?”
    “Only one,” said Carolina. “If my dad did kill my mom, I want to see him in jail forever.”

Chapter 10

    The snow was beginning to fall in bigger flakes as Susan drove Carolina back to her house. Carolina paused as she was about to open the car door. “Please come in for lunch. The housekeeper isn’t here on weekends and I don’t want to be alone. There are still some casseroles in the fridge.”
    “I’d love to,” said Susan. She turned off the engine and walked up the circular drive with Carolina. Susan had always loved this neighborhood. Each house had about an acre of land and the houses themselves were exquisite. This was not one of those cookie cutter housing developments, no siree. Each house was unique. Carolina lived in a two story Tudor-style with a stone façade. Across the street was a spacious red brick ranch. The windows were trimmed in white. Carolina grabbed the mail on the way in.
    “Anything good?” asked Susan.
    “Just bills and cards, like usual. Oh, this card is from my Mom’s friend Kara. They went to college together at Cornell and have been, I mean had been, friends ever since.” Carolina opened the card and read it aloud.

    Dear Carolina,
    I was devastated to hear the news about your mom. I was out of the country and am so sad that I missed the funeral. Your mom was like a sister to me. She helped me so much––especially when I was having all that trouble with my son John. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you or your dad.
    Love,
    Kara

    “She is such a sweet lady. Mom loved her.” Susan followed Carolina as she went into the kitchen and put a tuna casserole in the microwave. Susan set the table.
    “Kara knew how special my mom was. She’s probably missing her almost as much as I am.” Suddenly they heard a crash.
    “What was that?” asked Susan
    “I sure don’t know. This is usually a super quiet