Murder Under the Covered Bridge by Elizabeth Perona Page A

been through a couple of them with her. This is the first time she’s reacted so violently.”
    â€œI hope she’s going to be all right.”
    Joy re-entered the room clutching her cell phone. “I know what’s burning. The station just called me about it. I have to get over there.”
    â€œOver where?” Charlotte asked.
    â€œRoseville Bridge. Roseville Bridge is engulfed in flames and it looks like it’s going to be a total loss.”
    There was a collective gasp from the women. For a moment, no one knew exactly what to do. Then Joy said, “I have to go get my purse. Does anyone know how to get there from here? I’m not sure I can find my way back.”
    Charlotte threw up her hands. “Wait! Why don’t you just call the Channel Six news van? Aren’t they here?”
    â€œGood idea. I forgot!” She disappeared again into the other room with the cell phone.
    â€œWe should go, too,” Charlotte said. “You know the way there, Francine. You can drive.”
    Francine’s voice caught in her throat. She wasn’t sure how to take any of this. Was Merlina faking it? Francine didn’t believe in séances and ghosts and spirits inhabiting people. But if Merlina was a fake, she was doing a good job of being convincing. She was still passed out on the floor.
    Marcy patted Merlina on the cheeks. “Wake up, wake up!” She turned to Mary Ruth, who had crossed her arms as though she didn’t believe any of this. “Are there any smelling salts in this house?”
    â€œKosher or regular?”
    Marcy narrowed her eyes. “You know what I mean. Help me out here. Please.”
    Mary Ruth gave an exaggerated sigh. “I’ll go look.”
    Charlotte pulled on Francine’s arm. “We need to go. Seriously. Sheriff Stockton will be there. He probably needs our help.”
    Francine was not convinced. “I seriously doubt that.”
    Mary Ruth re-entered through the kitchen doorway. “No smelling salts, but I did find some ammonia. Will that work?”
    â€œWorth a try,” Marcy said. “Thank you.”
    Mary Ruth knelt down next to Marcy. She unscrewed the cap on a white quart-sized bottle of household ammonia. Marcy propped up Merlina’s head and reached for the bottle. She shoved it under Merlina’s nose.
    It took a moment for Merlina to breathe it in. Then her head kicked back like she’d been hit with an undercut. “What? What?”
    Marcy continued to cradle Merlina’s head. She handed the bottle back to Mary Ruth. “You’re okay. You were in a trance.”
    â€œDid I connect with someone?”
    â€œI’ll say you did,” Charlotte exclaimed. “It was a wrong number, but you got a live one. Or dead one, I guess. At any rate, we heard from the spirit world.”
    A horn blared from outside. Joy rushed in, holding her phone aloft. “Excuse me, excuse me! I’m glad Merlina is fine, but the station is here and I need to get going.” She turned to Francine. “You’re bringing the others, aren’t you?”
    Francine felt so confused. “I guess. Let me find my keys.” She rifled through her purse, which was still lying open from when she searched for the tea bags. She found the keys to Jonathan’s truck, but of course, he would have taken that. “The key to the Prius has to be in here,” she said.
    â€œIf she can’t find her keys, can I ride in the news van with you?” Charlotte asked Joy. “You’ll want to interview me. After all, I’m supposed to know who did it.”
    â€œNo,” Mary Ruth corrected, “you’re supposed to know why . Francine’s supposed to know who .”
    â€œWho did what?” Merlina asked. She tried to stand.
    Marcy helped her up. “We can fill you in on the way.”
    â€œWe don’t all have to go,” Alice said.
    Merlina shook her head, trying to