Lost Souls by J. Bishop (the giving tree read aloud txt) 📗

not too well.” Mikey looked up from her notes. “They don’t talk much. They occasionally connect during the holidays, but they’re not close. She did tell me that during Lydia and Bradley’s childhood, she tried to get them counseling, especially after their father died, but it didn’t last. Lydia was introverted and shy. Bradley was insecure and always trying to prove himself. Shay keeps to herself, too, and according to Michelle, drinks too much. Which is ironic, considering. Her father, Pablo, died last year and left Shay some money, and now Shay rarely comes around. Lydia started taking anti-depressants when she was a teenager, and it didn’t stop there. Lydia apparently had quite the medicine cabinet. In Michelle’s words, the ‘girl was never quite right in the head.’”

“Nice of her to say,” said Mason.

“She did tell me that Lydia moved out at eighteen and put herself through college. Michelle took credit that Lydia was smart and graduated at the top of her class,” said Mikey. “So, despite whatever pills she was taking, Lydia wasn’t that out of it.”

“Was Lydia ever married?” asked Mason.

Mikey flipped through her notes. “Not that Michelle said, although there was a man in her life, but apparently it was a disaster. She didn’t give me any more details than that.”

“Could that have been Chad, or someone else?” asked Trick.

“She didn’t say,” said Mikey. “Michelle kept wanting to talk about her men, and not Lydia’s. It was hard enough to keep her focused on the subject. It annoyed her because she says all the kids want to blame their problems on her, and she’s had enough.”

“But Lydia’s dead,” said Trick. “She didn’t offer anything on that?”

“Said that wasn’t her fault either. Lydia had issues, and when Michelle offered advice, or suggested rehab, Lydia would get furious and tell her to stay out of it.”

“Can’t imagine why,” said Mason.

“Based on the amount she was slurring by then, I can.” Mikey tapped at the paper. “She did say she was angry that Lydia was cremated. Apparently, that was Bradley’s decision.”

“What’s his story?” asked Trick.

Mikey flipped the page again. “Not much better than Lydia’s. According to Michelle, he’s a lost cause. In and out of jail for a variety of issues. Petty theft, public lewdness, check fraud, and a few other things. Never has any money, drinks, and does drugs. Michelle thinks he asked for the cremation just to piss her off. Apparently, Lydia designated him as the executor in her will, much to Michelle’s dismay.”

Trick perked up. “Did he get anything else? Did she leave him any money? Did Lydia have any life insurance?”

“It’s a good question, but Michelle didn’t offer any information on that,” said Mikey. Mikey sipped her tea and sat back. “It’s something to check into, though.”

Mason took a bite of his cookie. “Anything else?”

Mikey nodded. “She gave me the phone numbers for Shay and Bradley. I called Shay and left a message. Bradley answered.”

Trick straightened. “What’d he have to say?”

“Not much. He sounded like I’d woken him up, even though it was late in the day. He at least seemed a little more distraught about Lydia’s death then her mother. Said he missed his sister. He told me they’d been estranged for a few years when she started dating that loser, his words, and they got in a big fight. But once she broke it off with the loser, they’d reconnected and been close.”

Mason forced back a yawn. “I’m guessing this loser is the disaster Michelle referred to. Is it Chad?”

“Nope,” said Mikey. “It’s an old boyfriend.” She pointed at her notes. “Name’s Kyle Morrow. Lydia dated him after she was out of college. Bradley and Shay hated the guy. Said he was possessive, but Lydia loved him and wouldn’t break up with him.”

“Figures,” said Trick. “Where is this guy now?” He pointed. “If he was still hanging around, we could have another suspect. Do we know if he was abusive?”

“It’s possible,” said Mikey. “Lydia never talked to Bradley much about Kyle, though, so he couldn’t say for sure, but he suspected.” She read through her notes. “I asked about Shay and Lydia, and if they were close. He said his sisters had a love-hate relationship, but stayed in touch.”

“Interesting,” said Mason. “Now we need to dig into Kyle. See what we can find.” He eyed Trick. “He may be our missing clue.”

“Bradley, too,” said Trick. “If he benefited from Lydia’s death, he’s on the list. Did you ask about that?”

“No, I didn’t, but I’m working on Kyle and Bradley’s history,” said Mikey, scribbling in her notebook. “I’ll see what I can learn about Bradley’s money situation. If he’s bought any fancy cars or real estate lately, maybe Shay can fill me in once she calls me back.”

“More likely he’d stock up on drugs and booze, if his track record is accurate,” said Mason.

“You’re already on Kyle’s trail?” asked Trick.

Mikey shifted and grabbed a fortune cookie. “Sort of.”

Mason’s weary eyes widened. “I know that look. What are you up to?” He took another bite of his fortune cookie. “I’m not going to like it, am I?”

Mikey put her pen down. “No, you’re not, but too bad. When Rem called about the cigarette butts, he asked about our progress. I told him about Kyle…”

“You didn’t,” said Mason, his held his head. “Mikey…”

“What’s the big deal?” asked Trick. “We helped a few people out when we were cops.”

“He offered. I didn’t ask,” said Mikey. “I think he wants to know, himself. He’s curious. Said he’d call me once he did a check on Morrow and Bradley.”

“Hell, Bradley, too?” asked Mason. “Daniels and Rem are not our staff. They are busy detectives, and we can’t keep asking them for favors.”

“He didn’t mind,” said Mikey. “Besides, you know eventually there will be some case they’ll need help on, and we’ll return the favor. And if Rem didn’t want to do it, he wouldn’t have offered.”

“You and this Rem fella are pretty close,” said Trick. “You two dating?”

“Not yet,” said