Love Can Be Murder

wave of nausea hit her.
    "I didn't know if... I mean you might not want to go—"
    "Of course I want to go," she murmured. "Thank you, Guy, for calling." Penny looked at the paper.
    Deke Black funeral Monday 2:00 p.m. graveside service afterward.
    She stuffed the paper into her pocket and lifted the glass of yellow juice to her mouth for a deep drink. It tasted good; she hadn't realized how dehydrated she was. "How are things here?"
    "Busy, as you saw."
    "But is anyone buying anything?"
    "Oh yeah, we've had a record sales day, in fact."
    Penny massaged the back of her neck. "Well, I guess there's something to be happy about."
    He shifted nervously. "Do the police know who did it yet?"
    "If they know, they aren't telling me."
    He suddenly leaned over to hug her. "I'm just so sorry you got dragged into the middle of this."
    She nodded against his neck. "Thank you."
    He pulled back. "You look exhausted."
    "Probably because I only got about two hours of sleep last night."
    "Want to stay at my place tonight? I'll take the couch."
    She smiled at him fondly. "Thank you, but I need to get my place put back together."
    Guy looked puzzled.
    "From the police search," she explained wryly, taking another bite out of the bar.
    He looked stricken. "God, this is just awful."
    "I know," she said, then felt compelled to pat his arm. "But hopefully the police will have some answers soon."
    Guy scoffed. "Sheena did it."
    Penny blinked. "Do you know something?"
    He made an exasperated sound. "What everyone else knows—that she's a gold digger and a slut."
    Penny sighed. "That may be true, but it's not against the law."
    "Oh, come on, Penny, of course she killed him," he said vehemently, his eyes wide. "Who else could it have been?"
    At his vicious tone, she pulled back slightly, suddenly uneasy—she'd never seen Guy lose his temper before. "I really don't know. Sheena is a likely suspect, but I'm sure a lot of people think that about me."
    He pulled his hand down his mouth, then nodded. "You look exhausted."
    She smiled. "You said that already." Then she stood. "But you're right. You and Marie have everything un der control, so I think I'll head home and turn in early."
    "I'll drive you."
    "That's not necessary, Guy."
    "I'm not going to let you go out there to be hounded by voodoo weirdos and news reporters."
    The man did make sense. "Okay."
    He smiled. "See, the Ragin' Cajun isn't the only person looking out for you. I'll get my coat."
    Penny frowned as the door closed, then shook her head. She pulled out her new cell phone and punched in Liz's number, downing the rest of the juice Guy had brought her while the phone rang. She got Liz's voice mail and smiled at her friend's seductive voice. She supposed most men, like Ziggy, did find Liz intimidating.
    When the beep sounded, she assured her friend she was doing fine, then left the details of Deke's fu neral and directions to Goddard's in as steady a voice as she could muster. "If you can't come, I'll understand," she said, then hung up. She looked up Wendy's number and dialed, fully expecting to leave another message, but smiled in surprise when Wendy answered.
    "Hello?"
    "Wendy, hi, it's Penny."
    "Penny?" Wendy sniffed. "How are you?"
    Penny frowned at Wendy's muffled voice. "I'm fine. Are you sick?"
    "Yeah," Wendy said, then blew her nose. "I must have picked up a flu bug."
    "I'm sorry you're not feeling well. I was calling to give you the details of Deke's f-funeral." In combination, the words were surreal: Deke's funeral. Deke's funeral. Deke's funeral...
    "Well, I'm probably not going to be able to make it," Wendy said, her voice breaking. "I'm sorry—it's these allergies."
    Penny squinted. "I thought you said you'd picked up a flu bug."
    "Right," Wendy said thickly. "It's awful. I'm so sorry, sweetie. I'll send flowers."
    "It's okay," Penny murmured, shocked at how hurt she felt. But Wendy was ill, and she probably thought since Penny and Deke were divorced, it wasn't a necessary trip. After all, Penny had pretty much denounced the man during the party, hadn't she? "I hope you feel better."
    "Thanks. I'll call you soon."
    Penny disconnected the call, thinking it was strange that Wendy hadn't asked questions about the investigation. Then she chided herself... of course Wendy wasn't concerned because she knew that Penny couldn't have murdered Deke.
    A knock sounded at the door, and Guy stuck his head in. "Ready?"
    "Yeah."
    "It's died down a little, so you should be able to make