Read 6 - Pages of Sin for Free Online

sister-in-law in a passionate embrace and kissed her fully on the lips.

Chapter Four
     
    “Oo-kay,” Dad said at dinner that night after Mom and I had regaled him with the whole story. “Guess Byron was willing to let bygones be bygones.”
    “No kidding,” Mom muttered. “I thought we’d have to turn the hose on those two.”
    Dad swirled his pinot noir, then held the glass up to study the legs of the wine, and finally took a sip. After a moment, he nodded his approval, then winked at me. “Never a dull moment around these parts.”
    “I’ll say. One thrilling adventure after another.” I rubbed my sore head in memory of all those falling books. “Byron showing up was the capper to the whole day.”
    “I assume they stopped eventually. Kissing, I mean. Or did you have to sneak out of there? What happened?”
    I made a face. “The grieving widower finally realized he had an audience and politely showed us to the door.”
    “What about Elaine?”
    “Whether he wanted her to stay or not, I think she realized what would happen if she did. So she scurried out after us, completely flustered and unsure what to say.”
    He raised his eyebrows at Mom. “I’m sure you had plenty to say.”
    Mom held up both hands. “I just smiled serenely.”
    “Don’t believe her.” I laughed. “Mom told Elaine that Byron seemed happy to see her.”
    “Subtle,” Dad said drily.
    “Wasn’t it? Then she went on to say how nice it was that Byron hadn’t harbored any hard feelings toward her, after all.”
    “And then I smiled serenely,” Mom insisted.
    Dad and I exchanged amused looks and let it go at that.
    I wondered briefly what Byron and Elaine had fought about all those years ago. Had he always been in love with her? Was that why Wanda committed suicide? I hated that possibility so much that a shiver ran across my shoulders. I took a quick sip of wine and brushed off those morbid thoughts. “We’re going back tomorrow to get some books and go through more of Wanda’s stuff.”
    “You’re going back so soon?” Dad said.
    Mom shrugged. “We have a lot left to do.”
    “Becky,” Dad said, leaning forward in his chair. “I hope you’re not thinking of sniffing around in someone else’s business again.”
    “Yeah, Mom.” I gestured at her with my wine glass. “That’s my job.”
    Dad frowned at me, causing Mom to laugh. She reached over and touched his cheek. “Stop worrying, love bug. We’re just going to clean out some closets and box up some books. I promise. Nothing more.”
    Dad didn’t respond, but I knew he didn’t believe that anymore than I did.
    “Is Byron expecting you?” he asked finally.
    “Yes. I told him we’d be there.”
    He was pensive as he sliced off a bite of pork tenderloin and dredged it in Mom’s groovy gravy before popping it into his mouth. “I wonder if Byron knew Elaine would be there today. Why else would he come home in the middle of the afternoon?”
    “That’s what I was wondering, too,” I said.
    “He shouldn’t be going in to work at all,” Mom protested, helping herself to more homegrown green beans and adding an extra spoonful to my plate as well. “His wife just died a few days ago, so it’s perfectly natural that he’d take some time off.”
    I speared a green bean. “Can’t someone cover for him at the winery?”
    “Of course,” Dad said. After all, he was the boss at the commune winery. “His job is important, but not so critical that we can’t function without him for a few weeks.”
    “He’s probably going to work to keep himself busy,” I said, reaching for the small end piece of pork tenderloin. “When’s the funeral?”
    “No body, no funeral,” Dad said bluntly. “But Robson will have a memorial service Thursday night.”
    I grimaced. “What happened to Wanda’s body?”
    “She’s still with the medical examiner,” Mom said quietly. “Waiting for an autopsy.”
    “Oh.” Sometimes I was a little slow on the uptake.