Wedding Day Murder by Leslie Meier

understand. I’m afraid he’ll . . . Sid really hates Ron. You should have heard him last night. He went on and on.” Sue lowered her voice and imitated her husband’s growl. “ ‘That Ron’s not good enough for Sidra. He doesn’t look like he’s done an honest day’s work in his life. Wouldn’t know the business end of a hammer from the handle. Couldn’t hit a nail on the head if he tried, which he wouldn’t because he’s too damn lazy.’ Not to mention he didn’t much like the way Ron criticized his mother.”
    â€œHe picked up on that?”
    â€œOh, yes. ‘That fella has no respect at all for his mother, talking to her in that tone of voice. Makes you wonder how he’ll treat Sidra. I tell you, Sue, if I hear him talking like that to my little girl, I can’t guarantee I won’t tan his pale, sickly hide for him. That boy could use a tanning.’ ”
    Sue had a flair for mimicry and Lucy couldn’t help smiling despite herself.
    â€œWhat are you grinning at?” Sue glared at Lucy. “It’s not funny. I can’t leave him here alone. I have to keep an eye on him. God knows what he might do.”
    â€œI think you’re overreacting. All fathers are like that when their daughters get married. He’ll get used to the idea, eventually.”
    â€œThat’s what I’m hoping, but in the meantime, I’m not letting him out of my sight. How am I going to explain to Sidra that her father won’t be able to give her away because he’s in jail for assaulting the groom?”
    â€œYou’re being ridiculous. Besides, you can’t watch him every minute.”
    â€œI know. That’s why I hid the gun. Not that I think he’d actually use it on Ron, but I’m not taking any chances. I found it in his bottom drawer but I put it in his winter boots. He’ll never find it there.” Sue seemed quite proud of the neat way she’d handled this problem.
    Lucy furrowed her brow. “I didn’t know you had a gun in the house.”
    â€œWe didn’t. It’s new—still in the box. I found it when I was cleaning out his dresser this morning.”
    Lucy was horrified. “He bought a gun and he didn’t tell you?”
    Sue shrugged. “Of course not, Lucy. He knows I don’t like guns. He’s hiding it from me, just like he hides his dirty magazines.”
    Lucy wasn’t convinced. “Maybe you should talk with somebody about this. A psychiatrist or something. This doesn’t sound like Sid.” Lucy paused. “Why would he even buy a gun?”
    â€œOh, you know men and their toys. He’s like a little kid. Always bringing stuff home and hiding it because he thinks I won’t approve. Remember that motorcycle he had a few years ago? Trust me. I’ve got it under control.”
    â€œYeah . . . and denial is a river in Egypt,” muttered Lucy, as the waitress approached them.
    â€œCan I take your plates?” she asked.
    â€œPlease.”
    â€œAre you ladies interested in dessert today?”
    Lucy and Sue both shook their heads.
    â€œThen I’ll be back in a minute with the check.”
    â€œI think one of the women who left covered it,” said Sue.
    â€œOh, no,” said the waitress, hoisting the tray to her shoulder and taking it away.
    Lucy and Sue burst into giggles.
    â€œMrs. Gotrocks. . . .”
    â€œSkipped out on the check!”
    Sue reached for her purse. “This one’s on me.”
    â€œWe’ll split it,” protested Lucy.
    â€œNo,” said Sue, digging deep into her bag. “I’ve got it.”
    Lucy watched while Sue pawed through her purse, finally coming up empty.
    â€œI changed purses this morning. I must have forgotten my wallet.”
    â€œNever mind,” said Lucy, pulling out her charge card and trying hard not to think of the balance owed. “This