Murder Mystery
She Cradled the Smoking Gun: Ch 16
Lisa’s sanctuary in Santa Barbara plunges her into despair
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Lisa felt like opening her eyes was work and keeping them mostly closed was so much more relaxing. She turned onto her side, enjoying how the sheets felt against her flesh and glanced out the window seeing sunshine through the branches of the sprawling oak tree.
Confusion struck.
Her mind kicked into gear like someone had turned on a switch. She wondered where she was and then looked across the room to see her jeans, shirt, and underwear on a chair.
“Ready for breakfast, yet, sleepy head? And coffee?” Selena called from the hall.
“Uh, sure.” Lisa held the sheets and blanket close while sorting out why she wasn’t in the guest bedroom. “What time is it?”
“Almost eleven.”
“You’re kidding?”
“You’ve been out of it.” Selena looked in on her. “I got some wonderful fruit yesterday. The strawberries are incredible this time of year.”
“Thanks. Sounds good. Uh, Selena?” Lisa sat up.
“Yes?”
The walls and light coming from the window started making sense. “I slept here?”
“Yes, you did. You don’t remember?”
“I don’t know.”
“You took me up on my offer, so I slept in the guest room.”
“I see.” Lisa wiped her eyes and sounded groggy. “I can’t believe what time it is.”
“It’s no wonder. You’ve been under extreme stress.”
“Worse than what I ever thought possible.”
Selena sounded upbeat as she headed to the kitchen. “I’ll get your strawberries.”
An idea struck Lisa. Why did Morgan really want to meet up with her, and was the note any kind of evidence Detective Stone might use? What did Stone think of the note or did he even know about it?
She hopped out of bed, grabbed her clothes, quickly dressed, and patted her pockets for her cell phone. Where was her phone?
Being disoriented was terrible and she stepped into the hallway and nearly bumped into Selena.
“Oops.” She laughed, held the plate, and stepped aside. “Are you up for good or still need more time to rest?”
“I better be up. It’s nearly lunch.”
“Don’t push yourself. Let’s eat at the table.” Selena turned around carrying the plate. “Lots of fresh fruit. That makes Southern California special, doesn’t it? Good food. Ocean breezes.”
Lisa sat at the table, glancing side to side.
“It’s nice to not be in a rush, isn’t it?” Selena set the strawberries down.
“Have you seen my phone?”
“Not that I remember. We’re so dependent on those things, aren’t we?”
Lisa patted her pockets again, like the touches would make the phone magically appear. “I really need it.”
“Why?”
“I need to call Detective Stone.”
“Have some strawberries. I went out this morning and got some just for you.”
“I really need my phone.”
“Whipped cream is in the ‘fridge.”
“You’ve not seen it.”
Selena sounded like a big sister, “Just relax, Lisa.”
“You know how it is when you can’t find something.” Panic crept into her voice. “I had a thought and I want to call Stone.”
“What thought?”
“About my husband’s murder. That’s what thought.” She got up and looked at the sofa. “I sat there last night, didn’t I?”
“Yes. And then we had dinner and chatted until you went to bed.”
“This is driving me crazy.”
“I’ll make you a mimosa.”
“No.” Lisa hurried into the guest room and saw her purse, looking through it and feeling frantic. Nothing. Crazy. She stepped out. “I’ll be right back.”
“Where you going?”
“I’m going to check the car.” She ran a hand through her hair. “My keys. Wallet. What the hell?”
“Have something to drink. Tea. A glass of wine.”
“No. No more wine. I want my damned phone. I need to call Detective Stone.”
“You’re thinking Morgan may have done it?”
“I don’t know. We met for coffee, and she passed this note to me that Paul had written saying he loved me.”
Selena scoffed. “How nice. He writes you a note saying he loves you while he’s at his girlfriend’s house. What a nice guy.”
“Maybe he meant it.” Lisa dashed out the door. Of course, the car was locked and she ran back in as quickly as she left. “I can’t find my keys.”
“Don’t panic. Just settle.” Selena was her parental self.
“Settle? My husband was killed. The police might still think it was me and I think it was his girlfriend.”
“Or Joel Burman. The moron.”
“I don’t care.” Lisa raced into the bedroom with Selena following.
“What are you doing?”
She tore off the sheets and blanket. “I’ve got to get back down.”
“Where?”
“LA.”
“Don’t be silly.”
“Silly?”
Selena moved up against. “You’re fine just where you are. Right here. Calm down.”
“I need my things.”
“Don’t worry. They’re safe.”
“Safe?” Lisa nearly screamed. “What do you mean ‘safe?’”
“Safe with me. Just like you’re safe with me, sweetheart.” Selena wrapped her arms around Lisa. [LB1]
“What?”
“You’re in a safe spot.”
“I need to call — ”
“You don’t need to call anyone.”
“Where are my things, Selena?”
“Stop being so silly.”
Rage tore through Lisa. “Silly?” Adrenaline kicked in and she pushed Selena who tripped and fell back, slamming against the bedroom wall.
“Oh, that’s the thanks I get?”
Lisa turned to run but Selena lunged, grabbed her below the knees, yanked, and Lisa fell, slamming her head on the hardwood floor in the hallway.
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