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

“It must be catching,” said Michelle, pouring coffee into two mugs and handing one to Trick.

“Thanks,” said Trick. “After all you’ve mentioned, I can see why there must be friction in the family.”

She added some sugar and stirred her coffee. “I can’t remember the last time we were all together where we didn’t argue. It seems my children don’t like me very much. But that’s the way it is, I suppose. I’m the mother, so I get all the blame.”

“What would they blame you for?” asked Trick. “Did they do something wrong?”

Michelle smiled. “Do they do anything right?” She put down her spoon and cup, and wrung her hands.

Trick blew on his coffee and took a drink. “Surely there’s something you can brag about, Michelle. I mean Lydia did graduate college. She held down a job. Supported herself.”

Michelle held the bridge of her nose as if she had a headache. “I suppose. Except for the men she dated and the pills. And Shay completed beauty school, and at least managed to marry, although she ended it after nine months.” She walked to the end table and picked up the glass with amber liquid. “I only gave it six. I think she stuck it out to nine just to spite me.” She swirled the amber liquid, returned to the kitchen, and added it to her coffee.

“And Bradley?” asked Valerie.

“He got through high school, but only because his teachers passed him. They didn’t want him back, not that I can blame them. He was a bully. Tormented the other kids. You wouldn’t believe the number of parents that complained.” She shrugged. “I told them to toughen up, along with their kids. Everyone’s such a pansy nowadays. I got tough when I was a kid and they can, too. Life is hard. The sooner you learn that, the better.” She took a healthy sip from her doctored coffee.

Trick and Valerie shared a glance. “So, you said Lydia took pills,” said Trick. “What kind?”

“Anti-depressants, mostly, but I know there were more. I went in her bathroom once. I saw Valium, pain killers, and a few other things I didn’t recognize. God knows where she was getting it all.”

“What about alcohol?” asked Valerie, eyeing Michelle’s drink.

Michelle raised her brow. “She drank, but strangely not to excess. Shay took the prize for that. Girl has a drink in her hand wherever she goes.” She raised her mug. “Lydia got my taste in men, and Shay my taste for liquor. Lucky girls.”

Trick nodded, holding his coffee. “And what about Bradley? We know he’s done some time, but mostly for petty stuff. Did he ever get violent?”

Her face fell. “Bradley’s…well…he’s a schemer. He doesn’t use fists because he knows how to land on his feet. Although if he’s backed into a corner, he might come out swinging.”

“Has he come out swinging before?” asked Trick.

Her expression fell. “You’re asking a lot of questions about my children, but you said you wanted to talk about Lydia and this man’s Chad’s death. What does that have to do with Shay and Bradley?”

“Well, ma’am…Michelle,” said Trick, wandering around the room and stopping at the fireplace mantel. “We have to consider the possibility that one of them may have killed Lydia, and even Chad.”

Valerie shot a glance at him and Michelle glared. “Excuse me?” asked Michelle.

“I think my assistant here may be taking his own medication,” said Valerie. “What he meant to say was─”

“I didn’t misspeak, Valerie.” Trick eyed another picture on the wall of Bradley and Michelle together wearing party hats. “I think either Shay or Bradley killed their sister.”

Michelle lowered her coffee. “That is insane. Are you crazy?”

“I don’t think so,” said Trick. “Although I know some will disagree.” He gestured at Valerie, who was aiming those laser eyes at him again. “But I don’t see the point of beating around the bush.”

Michelle walked to the bar and added more amber liquid to her cup. “I think we’re done talking. You should leave. Now.”

“Actually, Michelle, I think we’re just getting started,” said Trick.

“We should go,” said Valerie, heading to the door.

“Let’s begin with Bradley,” said Trick. He took a sip of his coffee. “Why would he want to kill Lydia? Is it money? She made him executor of her will, but why? He doesn’t seem like a logical first choice. And did he know he was executor? And if he did, and there was money involved, did that make him think twice? Could he be more violent than you realize, and it just stayed beneath the radar until something set him off? Maybe he never liked Lydia. She’s his older sister. She’s got the smarts, the education. Did she hold it over his head? Make him look like a fool?”

Michelle whirled. “Bradley would never do that. He and Lydia were close. She helped him when he needed it. She only made him executor because…” Her drink shook from her hold on it.

“Because why?” asked Trick, sensing he was near to something important.

Michelle turned away.

Trick continued to press. “Because she didn’t trust you, her own mother, to take care of things in the event of her death? And why is Lydia even thinking about death? Hell, most people never think about a will or what happens when they die until they’re near death themselves.” He stepped closer. “Was Lydia near death?” A thought occurred to him. “Or did she think she was?” Michelle stiffened. “Is that it?” asked Trick.

“You’ve said enough,” said Michelle.

“She’s right,” said Val. “We should leave.”

Trick’s mind raced. “She didn’t choose you, though, to handle her affairs. Is it because you couldn’t be trusted? Is it because if you’re cheating on your husband, you might cheat her, too?”

Michelle dropped her jaw. “How dare you?”

“How dare me?” Trick pointed. “How dare you, I think is the correct question. Why didn’t Lydia want you involved? Are you the one that caused her to name Bradley, a man who can’t rub two pennies together, as the person to handle