Death on a Deadline

has nine lives.
    John and Denise came, with flowers, and I half expected an apology. Instead I got the usual speech about minding my own business and staying out of police investigations. But when, at the end of the speech, they both hugged me and John said, “I’m so glad you’re okay, Jenna,” I could tell he really meant it.
    He even grudgingly shared some information with me. Lois was spilling her guts to anyone who would listen. Evaluations were under way, but it looked like she might not be mentally competent enough to stand trial. She did say she felt bad about trying to kill Carly, but she apparently had few regrets about “Miss Nosy.” If I hadn’t had such a close brush with death, I’m pretty sure John would have smiled when he told me that. Before I could remind him that if not for me, a murderer would be walking free, Doc Brown stuck his head in the door, and John and Denise left.
    “Young lady, you need to try and stay out of trouble. I don’t want to see you back here again for a long time.” Doc Brown had been my doctor for as long as I could remember and still talked to me as if I were a child. “It doesn’t look like you’re going to have any long-lasting effects from those drugs.” After shining that bright light in my eyes one more time, he sent me home. “I think you’re clear to resume your normal activities.” He winked at me. “As long as that doesn’t include trying to catch a murderer.”

    *****

    The day after I got home from the hospital, I was on Marge’s front porch—again. Grief covered her like a mantle, but along with it was a quiet strength I’d never seen in her. “Oh, Jenna, honey, come in. I’m so glad you came over.” I gave her a hug and was relieved to feel her ribs weren’t as prominent. Maybe she was slowly getting her life back together, too. “Is Amelia still staying with you?”
    “No, she and Byron went back home. They wanted me to move in with them, but I’m not ready to leave my house yet. So many good memories here.” She glanced around the living room.
    “I’m sure there are.” I hoped I sounded comforting, like Mama.
    She gestured toward the sofa and we both sat down. “I blame myself for all of this. If I had only known about Lois’s feelings, maybe I could have helped her.” Marge’s eyes were full of gut-wrenching sadness. “But after my back surgery, I was in such pain. She moved in for a while to help me. Then I got hooked on pain medicine. . . .” She gave me a wry smile.
    I could easily imagine Lois subtly encouraging Marge to become dependent on the pain meds, but I saw no purpose in sharing that suspicion with Marge.
    “And after that, things were pretty much a blur. I relied on her for everything.” She shook her head. “I had no idea her mind was so. . .twisted.”
    I patted her on the shoulder. “No one could tell anything was wrong. She seemed normal.”
    “So you and Amelia have worked out your differences?” I didn’t want to sound like a gossip buzzard waiting to swoop down, but I just had to know.
    She nodded. “After Lois was arrested and I began to realize the depths of her deception, I called Amelia. We had our first heart-to-heart in decades.” She patted my hand. “When I tell you this, you’ll just have to forgive me for being so gullible. I’d been friends with Lois since childhood. That’s my only excuse.”
    “You trusted her. That’s to be expected.” I hated to see her feel guilt on top of everything else. She hadn’t been to blame.
    “When Byron and Amelia were newly married, Lois told Hank and me that Byron had made a pass at her. I know you young people may find it hard to believe but Lois was a beauty in her day.” Marge’s voice grew distant, as if she were looking way back into the past. “We were both furious and wanted to tell Amelia, but Lois didn’t want to cause trouble in Amelia’s marriage. Hank never liked Byron after that, and he didn’t want me around him, either.”
    “I can understand that.” Hank may have been cranky, but he had morals.
    “Over the next few years, Lois would mention that Byron tried to get her to go away with him for a weekend when he went out of town on business. Or that he tried to get her into a secluded area at a public get-together.” Marge shook her head. “Of course I told Hank every time. Eventually Hank would use his power in town to fight Byron on every corner. After that, Hank and Byron were sworn enemies. I wanted to tell