Murder Under the Covered Bridge by Elizabeth Perona

perfectly manicured nails she was picking to imperfection.
    Jonathan seemed to feel he’d done his part of the socializing and sat back in his chair.
    Though Francine had difficulties relating to Dolly, at least at the hospital she was in her element. The antiseptic smell of the room, the whispers of concerned visitors in the hall, and the scrolling LED lights of the EKG equipment monitoring William’s heartbeat were all features of a scene she’d watched play out over and over again. “Memory care is a growing business. It’s good but it’s sad. Once a person can’t function and becomes difficult to deal with, it’s good to have a place where they can get proper care. But some relatives dump them into a care unit and hardly visit them.”
    â€œI see it all the time,” Dolly answered. “We have this one older woman. She tells the most interesting stories.” Dolly hesitated like she realized she shouldn’t be talking about it.
    Francine wanted to keep Dolly talking. It was easier that way. “What about the stories?”
    â€œThey … she … they’re just unusual. It’s like she’s living in the late 1800s. I feel like I’m listening to an audio book of Little House on the Prairie , only set in Indiana.”
    â€œDoes she get visitors?”
    â€œHer husband. I don’t know if he works odd hours, but he only comes in very late at night, and only once a month. I’ve never met him in person. He stays a half hour, then leaves.”
    The nurse came in and checked the monitoring devices. “Mrs. Falkes!” she said. Dolly stood and went over, completely absorbed by the nurse’s concerned look.
    Francine took that as the right moment to end the visit. Jonathan apparently had, too, because he stood up at the same time she did.
    â€œMaybe this would be a good time for us to get going,” Francine said. “We’ll see if we can find William’s car for you.” She approached Dolly and handed her a note. “Here’s my cell phone number and the address of the place we’re staying in Rockville. Make sure your sister has it too. Call if you need anything.”
    As Jonathan opened the door for her, she glanced back at William. Would she ever see him alive again? She hoped so, but the figure under the hospital blanket twitched like something was very, very wrong.

seven
    â€œI can’t believe you volunteered us to go look for his car,” Jonathan said after he’d climbed into the truck and shut his door. Francine was already buckling up.
    â€œWas that so wrong?”
    â€œNot necessarily, but with all you’ve got to do today? Mary Ruth needs your help, and you know I can’t stay.”
    â€œYou can’t?” In truth, she’d forgotten to ask him. She only remembered now she’d told Mary Ruth he would. “Why not?”
    He started the truck and drove out of the hospital parking lot. “I have to go back this afternoon. I have an evening meeting tonight and several client meetings scheduled for tomorrow. I thought I’d mentioned that.”
    Though he was semi-retired from his accounting firm, Jonathan still maintained a few long-time clients and hadn’t yet given up his partnership. She knew he’d arranged his schedule so he would be free yesterday to come with them to Rockville and today for the early morning photo shoot. I guess it is an imposition to expect him to stay longer , she thought.
    â€œLet’s hurry back to Rockville then. If Mary Ruth has everything under control, I’ll recruit Charlotte to help me.”
    â€œEven if she doesn’t have everything under control, she still may be better off if you take Charlotte off her hands to go look for the car.”
    Francine chuckled at that. Charlotte and Mary Ruth got along far better playing cards than when they were in a kitchen together. Charlotte wasn’t much interested in food