Chapter 7

We sat down at the table, and Doc Jenkins repeated his question.

“I thought you’d have heard,” Lucinda said. “Robbie’s mother was found murdered in their house, and the police are looking for her husband. They say she was literally beaten to death.”

“When was this?” Doc Jenkins said.

“Almost a week ago,” Lucinda said.

“That would explain it,” he said. “I was out of town for a few days last week, and I don’t keep up with the news very much. It takes a while for the local gossip to catch up with me now that I’m mostly retired.”

There was a knock at the door, and Mike went to answer it, eventually returning with Bob and Martha in tow.

“WHAT’S GOING ON, George?” Bob said. “And what’s Doc Jenkins doing here?”