forgotten (Twisted Cedars Mysteries Book 2) by CJ Carmichael Page A

statement of facts, Muriel lowered her gaze to her hands.
    She looked very old. Very frail. But Wade couldn’t afford to feel sorry for her. The point was to play on her guilt, hopefully building the pressure to a point where she would be ready to unburden herself of the weight.
    “For Daisy’s sake, but especially for Chester and Cory’s sake, the truth needs to be told,” Wade added.
    “What makes you think I know anything?” Muriel asked, her voice so soft Wade could hardly hear it.
    “You and Jim were living with Kyle and the kids at that time,” Wade said. “If Kyle and Daisy had a fight when Daisy was visiting—you would have heard it. We found Daisy’s blood on the corner wall next to the kitchen counter. Kyle pushed her, didn’t he Mrs. Quinpool? I’m sure he never meant to hurt her. It was just terrible luck that her head happened to hit that sharp corner wall.”
    Muriel was breathing faster now, rubbing the skin on the back of her hands in a compulsive fashion. “I don’t think that happened. You’re trying to trick me.”
    “We only want you to tell the truth,” Duane said, his tone sharp. “After all, you don’t want to perjure yourself.”
    “Perjure,” Muriel repeated, as if she was unsure what it meant.
    “Lying to law enforcement officials is a crime,” Wade said. “I’m sure you know that.”
    “B-but I’m not lying. I just don’t know !” She popped out of her chair as if the pressure of remaining sitting had become too much. She went to an antique bureau where family photos were displayed—including her wedding photo.
    Wade joined her, picking up the photo as if it had just caught his eye. “Wow, you and Jim made a handsome couple.”
    Muriel bit her bottom lip, then gave the slightest of nods.
    “It’s nice you hung onto this photo.” Wade carefully placed it back on the wooden surface.
    “Why wouldn’t I?”
    “Most divorced women pack away their wedding photos, or give them to their children, don’t they?”
    A red stain crept up Muriel’s cheeks. “We had a lot of happy years. I refuse to focus only on the bad.”
    “What did happen to you and Mr. Quinpool?” Wade asked. “It had to be something pretty serious considering all the years you’d been together, and the full life you had in Twisted Cedars. Not to mention your son and grandchildren.”
    “That’s private. You have no reason to ask about that.” Her eyes narrowed and her lips thinned. “You have some nerve Wade MacKay. We welcomed you into our house. You were one of Kyle’s best friends.”
    Wade didn’t need her to point any of this out. He was all too aware of the past they had all shared. “We have to ask these questions. Daisy Hammond was my friend, too, Mrs. Quinpool.”
    “Here’s a possible scenario,” Duane stepped in, to keep up the pressure. “Let’s say your husband is the one who talked your son into covering up the accident and burying Daisy’s body.”
    Duane left the sofa and walked around to Muriel’s other side. She must have felt overwhelmed, with two much taller men so close. She tried to step backward but the cabinet was in her way, and she was forced to stay put.
    “And let’s assume that you, Mrs. Quinpool, were against the plan,” Duane continued. “But you didn’t want to betray your husband and son so you kept quiet. As the years went by, you probably began to feel more and more guilt. Especially as you had to watch Daisy’s children grow up, never suspecting what had really happened to their mother.”
    Muriel covered her face with her hands, and shook her head. “No! That’s not what happened.”
    “Then what did happen?” Wade pressed gently. “We know Kyle buried her. We’re having hairs found at the burial site tested. We’ll soon be able to prove that they are his. Why did your son bury Daisy’s body? If she died by accident, why not call 911?”
    “I can’t breathe! I need water.”
    Wade and Carter exchanged a glance. Wade was positive