Page 49 of June's First Murder
June watched her for a moment, then turned back to Sara Lee. "Maybe we should take her for a walk. Clear our heads. Sometimes the answer comes when you stop looking for it."
Sara Lee glanced at Pippi through the window. The dog had wandered between their yard and the neighbor's, clearly on some important canine mission. "Icould walk her down past Lucy's house. Maybe her dog is outside. Pippi loves to sniff with Scarsdale."
"That's a lovely idea–" Suddenly, June looked up sharply.
"What?" Sara Lee asked, catching her grandmother's expression.
June's mind suddenly clicked into place. "Lucy was out the other day and didn't have Scarsdale with her."
"Yes…” Sara Lee said slowly. "She looked... upset."
"Carl said he was preparing for a euthanasia… I wonder who?" June's voice grew more intent. "Call him.”
Sara Lee's brow furrowed as she pulled out her phone, her fingers moving quickly across the screen. The phone rang twice before Carl answered.
"Hey," his voice came through, warm despite his recent stress. "Everything okay?"
"Yes, fine. Quick question—" Sara Lee's words tumbled out. "Was Lucy at the clinic recently? We realized we haven’t seen her with Scarsdale."
There was a pause. "It was Lucy's dog that had to be euthanized last week. Older dog, but it nearly broke Lucy. She was devastated. Scarsdale had been with her for fourteen years."
Sara Lee's eyes met June's across the table. "Is there any chance she could have taken the drug? While she was there?"
Carl's voice grew troubled. "I... uh… no. She was so distraught. Scarsdale died before we could administer the drug. Lucy fell apart and insisted on staying with him. She walked with me and my tech to place Scarsdale inthe back. Lucy needed another goodbye. She was sobbing the whole time."
June watched her granddaughter's face, reading the question forming there.
"Thanks, Carl," Sara Lee said softly before ending the call. She looked at June. "He said Lucy was devastated. Too upset to have taken anything."
June listened but shook her head slowly. "Something happened then... I'm sure of it."
"How can we know?" Sara Lee asked, frustration creeping into her voice.
"We need to talk to Lucy," June said simply.
"Now?"
"Now." June stood, moving to the back door to call Pippi inside. “We’ll leave the pets at home and walk to Lucy's house. There’s no reason to upset her more as she grieves for her dog.”
The walk to Lucy's house took less than ten minutes. The morning had grown warm, the June sun already promising another hot afternoon. The Mayor’s house was one of the nicer homes in Meadowlark Creek, a large two-story colonial with perfect landscaping and a pristine white fence.
When they reached the porch and rang the bell, Lucy opened her front door, dressed in casual clothes that looked expensive even in their simplicity.
Surprise filled her expression as her gaze landed on them. "Ms. June. Sara Lee." Her smile was polite but curious. "What brings you by?"
June returned the smile warmly. "I hate to talk about something that is upsetting, Lucy, but wewanted to check on you. We just heard about Scarsdale."
Lucy's carefully composed expression cracked slightly. Real pain flickered across her face before she smoothed it away. "Thank you. It's been... difficult. Scarsdale was with me through so much."
"I'm so sorry for your loss," Sara Lee said gently, and June knew the sympathy in her granddaughter's voice was genuine.
Lucy looked about awkwardly for a moment, her usual self-confidence seeming to flee. "Would you like to come in?" She stepped to the side.
They followed Lucy into her immaculate home, settling in a living room that could have graced a magazine cover as small-town chic. Everything was coordinated, nothing out of place. Lucy disappeared into the kitchen, returning with a tray of coffee cups and a carafe.
As Lucy poured, June said carefully, "My dear, I know this is a difficult subject right now, but–"
Lucy's hand trembled slightly, the carafe wavering. "You’re asking about Raymond again? I assure you, there is nothing about him that upsets me now! My heart is too full of my beautiful baby.”
