Read Mouth of the Rat (A Samantha Jamison Mystery) for Free Online

silence. I stood there fuming, but then reluctantly retreated when I heard crying from the other side.
    Martha was just as frustrated. “We’ll confront her tomorrow and demand some answers.”
    “She has to confide in us sometime.”
    I should have known better.
    By the time we both got up the next morning, Mona’s bedroom door was open, but she wasn’t there or anywhere else in the condo. It wasn’t until I entered the kitchen that I spotted the note on the counter by the coffee pot.
    ‘Something’s come up. Catch you later. Mona.’
    I felt breathing on my neck and jumped. It was Martha.
    “So, she gave us the slip once again. She’s a slick one.”
    “When it comes to being honest and straightforward with us, she is.” I dialed Mona’s cell, ended my call, and moaned. “It went straight to voicemail.”
    “Now, why is that girl being so secretive?”
    “She must know something and won’t tell us, or can’t.”
    “It sure looks that way, doesn’t it?” said Martha.
    I jumped again when Martha slapped the counter.
    “I know just what we need to clear the cobwebs.”
    I gave her a doubtful look. “What?”
    “Isn’t it about time we checked out the spa at this club?”
    “How can you possibly think of beauty treatments when I have to nail down some answers!”
    Martha crossed her arms and winked at me, grinning.
    A smile slowly worked its way across my lips. “…And what better place to start but at gossip central, right?”
    “Hey,” said Martha, laughing. “You catch on fast.”
    We were lucky to get two appointments, which were the only openings in the whole spa, manicures. Sitting side-by-side, the two women working on us were gossiping away, so we waited patiently for an opportunity to jump in. Apparently, Marco was still a hot topic.
    Martha cut in. “I was so surprised to hear about his murder right here in this country club.”
    “I still can’t believe it!” I added.
    The two manicurists were no longer doing our nails.
    Blondie leaned in. “Did you know he had a wife?”
    Brunette countered, “You’re wrong! He had two!”
    The two of us looked at Brunette. “No!” we said.
    Was Mona’s secret out?
    Brunette said, “Second’s a real looker, tall and thin.”
    Confused, we both asked, “Who is she?”
    Brunette said, “That’s all I overheard.”
    Blondie whispered, “I heard the first one is dead.”
    I turned to Martha who raised three fingers to her hair.
    Well, what do you know! Mona was number three!
    Then Martha gave me her famous arched brow.
    …Did Blondie just say number one was dead?
     

 
     
     
    Chapter 19
    Counting On More Than Trouble
     
     
    After learning nothing more, we left the spa. Then who did we bump into but Mona, the very person we were looking for. We almost knocked each other down rounding a corner. Caught off guard, she backed a step.
    Martha quickly blocked her from leaving, saying, “This better be good because the way I look at it, you’ve got a lot of explaining to do, Mrs. Number Three.”
    I moved to block her from the other direction. Mona’s eyes darted around. I knew she was trying to figure a way out, mentally and physically, but she was cornered.
    “Uh-uh,” I said. “We need to talk, and talk now.”
    Her eyes shot around once more. “Well, not here!”
    “Okay, where?” asked Martha, not trusting her.
    “Club patio for lunch. There are too many ears inside.”
    Martha nodded. “That’s because seniors thrive on gossip and hearsay, that and the obituaries, glad their not listed.”
    “ You already know that firsthand, don’t you?”
    “The diversion factor is sounding mighty loud today.”
    I jumped between the two as we walked. “Not now!”
    Once seated outside, I asked, “Why didn’t you tell us?”
    “Tell you what?” Mona said, wide-eyed.
    “Don’t start with that doubletalk,” said Martha.
    “A dead first wife? What’s that all about?” I asked.
    “Trust me, I was blindsided on this