Read Mama Gets Trashed (A Mace Bauer Mystery) for Free Online Page B

managed to hit the dirty clothes hamper.’’
    “What are you going to do? Confront him?’’
    “Not yet.’’ Maddie shook her head. “I want to get all the facts first, just like I do when the kids act up at school. Before I say a word, I always know exactly what’s been done, who did it, and what punishment they’ll get.’’
    I couldn’t help but think that despite Maddie’s bluster, marital betrayal is a lot more complicated than shooting spitballs at Himmarshee Middle School.
    _____

    Maddie traced at a stray drop of herbal tea on her kitchen table. A steaming cup of chamomile sat untouched in front of her. I sipped at my lemonade. I would have preferred a beer, but my sister refused to have alcohol in her house. Mama’s Husband No. 2 had been a heavy drinker in addition to a con man and serial cheater. As the oldest of us three girls, Maddie was likely more aware of the emotional fallout from that poisonous combination of character flaws.
    “What about the party?’’ I asked her.
    “We’re going ahead with it. I don’t have a choice. The VFW hall is rented. The invites are out. C’ndee already bought most of the food for Saturday night. Kenny’s birthday cake is already paid for, too. I asked them to inscribe it ‘To the World’s Best Husband.’ ’’
    Maddie, seemingly exhausted, went quiet. She stared at her stainless steel refrigerator. Normally as shiny as a silver dollar, it was marred with greasy fingerprints. If Maddie were herself, she’d have been after it with a roll of paper towels and a bottle of spray cleaner. Instead, her eyes got teary again. I felt the sting, too, from sympathy and disbelief.
    “Maybe Kenny’s using drugs or something,’’ I said. “There’s got to be a reason.’’ She shook her head. “It’s sex, pure and simple. Not only is that shirt of his a peacock-looking thing, it’s a full size smaller than what he wore a couple months ago. I should have known something was up when he started getting in shape.’’
    Maddie sniffled. “Bastard!’’ She plucked a napkin from a holder on the table and blotted roughly at her eyes. “Don’t mention a wor d of this to Mama.’’
    “Lord, no!’’ I said.
    “I want to show you something else.’’
    I followed Maddie down the hallway to their bedroom. Pictures of her with Kenny and their daughter, Pam, hung along the walls. She jerked open the closet door and removed a hideous yellow-and-peach-colored golf outfit. The cap was a plaid tam-o’-shanter, complete with a yellow pom-pom.
    “That looks like something from the Sal Provenza resort-wear collection,’’ I said.
    “I know, except my idiot husband paid for it with our money.’’ Maddie dropped it on the bed in disgust.
    “Will you investigate for me, Mace? Find out who he’s running around with?’’
    “Oh, Maddie … ’’
    I let my words trail off. I was reluctant to delve into something so personal. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt Maddie with what I was afraid I’d find out about her husband.
    She put a hand on my arm. “You know how to get to the bottom of things, sister. Besides, I just don’t think I can face it alone, whatever he’s up to.’’
    She wiped a tear from her cheek. “Will you, Mace? Please?’’
    “It’s probably just a big misunderstanding.’’
    “I don’t think so. It’s not just the perfume-stink and the fancy clothes. He bought a set of golf clubs. Got them second-hand off Craig’s List , but still. And, last weekend, when I wanted to go to the Pork Pit, Kenny said we should try that new bar and grill that serves wine by the golf course. He called the Pork Pit a ‘cholesterol nightmare.’’’
    “That doesn’t sound like the Kenny I know,’’ I said. “I didn’t think he could pronounce cholesterol.’’
    “That’s exactly my point.’’ Maddie blew her nose. “Please?’’
    How could I say no?
    nine

    Lights shone on the ornate sign for Himmarshee Links Country Club. The mechanical