Page 46 of Lost Lake
“Kenna told me you all have made quite a success of it. She’s not home, as I’m sure you know, since you were just there.”
Of course she saw them arrive and him go around to crawl into the house. She didn’t miss a thing, which would make her a valuable witness.
But before asking any questions, he had to tell her about Kenna and Lucy. “Why don’t we sit down?”
She drew her eyebrows together and looked past him. “And who is this?”
“Oh, sorry. Meet El Lyons.”
“El? Like the letter L? What kind of name is that?”
If El was offended by Mrs. Z.’s comment, she didn’t show it. “It’s E-l. Short for Elaina.”
“Well now, that’s a beautiful name, and I’ll call you Elaina.” She gestured at the rockers. “Have a seat. I’ll run inside for some iced tea and the sugar cookies freshly baked for Lucy. They’re her favorite but she won’t miss a few of them.”
Gabe reached for Mrs. Z.’s arm. “Let’s sit. There’s something I need to tell you.”
Those eyebrows drew together again, and she frowned at him. “It’s about Kenna and Lucy, right? Why they’re not home, and why she didn’t tell me where she was going? Probably didn’t tell you either or you wouldn’t have had to crawl through that wonky window.”
Gabe didn’t speak, but helped ease her into the chair. Considering she could already be unsteady on her feet at times, he didn’t want her standing when the shock hit her.
He pulled the nearest rocker closer to her and took her hands. “This will be hard to hear, but you like straight talkers so I won’t tiptoe around it. Kenna’s body was found last night. She was murdered.”
She gasped and jerked her hand free to clutch her chest. “No. No. I refuse to believe it.”
“I thought the same way, too, but I’ve seen her. She didn’t survive.”
She started sobbing, tears flowing over her cheeks. She dug a tissue from her apron pocket and dabbed at her eyes. She suddenly sat forward. “Lucy! What about Lucy?”
Gabe wasn’t sure he could get the words out to tell her, but he had to. “She’s missing. We don’t know if she wandered off or if someone took her.”
“Someone?” She planted her hands on the rocker arms. “You mean like the killer?”
“That would be the most likely scenario.”
El silently approached and knelt in front of Mrs. Z. “We’re doing everything we can to find her and find out who killed Kenna.”
“We? That doesn’t sound like something a friend would say. Exactly who are you?”
“I’m the detective in charge of finding Lucy, and Kenna’s killer.”
“She’s working with me and my team,” Gabe said. “We hope to find leads in Kenna’s bungalow. Also to ask if you know anyone who might want to harm her.”
“Kenna?” She waved her hand. “You know she was the sweetest, most lovable person, and no one would want to do her harm.”
He nodded, but obviously one person wanted to harm her. Someone not only had means, but motive and opportunity too. They just had to find that person. “Did she have a boyfriend?”
“You of all people should know that.” She gave him an appraising look.
He took it to mean he would know that if he’d been around more often. “She never mentioned anyone to me.”
“Me either, but she’s had a male visitor for the last couple of months.”
“Do you know his name?” El asked. “Or can you describe him?”
“I don’t know his name. I do know he arrives late at night. Often leaves early in the morning.” Her chin lifted a fraction, lips pressed into a thin line, as if she didn’t approve of this behavior. “But before he leaves the house, he flips up his hood. Then keeps his head down, and I can never get a clear look at his face.”
Probably what he and Kenna intended.
