Sarah Woods Mystery Series (Volume 3) by Jennifer L. Jennings Page A

asked.
    “ In case you can't get anything from Glenda White, I have another lead I'm working on.”
    “ Who?”
    Carter ushered me out the door. “No time to explain. You need to go. Call me as soon as you're done talking to Glenda.”
     
    * * *
    The sunshine and baby blue sky mocked my stormy disposition. I could feel my insides burning, my palms sweating on the steering wheel.
    I had to force myself to concentrate on the road. Saturday morning traffic on Route One North was light, but there were so many traffic lights that it took over half an hour.
    I tried desperately to stay focused on the task at hand, but the image of Max and Jennifer, sitting together on her couch, drinking wine into the wee hours of the morning … it made me sick to my stomach.
    Were Max and I done?
    I should have known it would happen eventually. I just didn't want it to happen like this.
     
    The Delray Beach Community Center was a bland, one-story concrete and glass building that looked like it used to be a hospital at one time. The neighborhood was sketchy at best, with low-income houses and apartments buildings and sparse vegetation. It was hard to believe that only a few blocks to the east, luxury condos and posh hotels and restaurants catered to the rich and famous.
    I parked in a lot to the left of the building.
    I searched the depths of my purse for some lipstick. With a shaky hand, I managed to swipe some color on my pale, cracked lips. I rubbed some color on my cheeks while I was at it. Not that it helped much. I still looked like hell.
    I got out of my car and proceeded into the building. In the foyer, a bulletin board announced meeting schedules and upcoming events.
    As I continued down the corridor, I noticed a middle-aged woman heading my way from the opposite direction. Her grey hair looked like a poodle, but her loose jowls and short, stalky build reminded me of a bulldog. A mixed breed.
    “ Hello? Are you Sarah Woods?” she asked me in a friendly manner.
    “ Oh, hi. Yes, you must be Glenda White.”
    “ Well, that's me.” She placed a hand on her chest.
    “ Actually, I was hoping to speak to you about a friend of mine who attends the meetings here. Angela Foster. She just lost her father recently, and her mother a year ago.”
    Glenda tilted her head and listened to me with compassionate eyes. “Yes, of course I know Angela. You said you're a friend of hers?”
    “ Yes. I'm really concerned about her. She's had a tough time and I wish I knew how to be more supportive of her.” I felt rotten lying to this nice, old lady, but I figured it was the only way she'd open up to me.
    “ I have a few minutes,” she said. “Would you like to sit and chat?”
    I nodded.
    Glenda waddled down the corridor as I trailed behind. She couldn't have been taller than five feet, and she was about as round as she was tall.
    She invited me to sit at a table. Once we got settled, she folded her arms across her ample belly and looked intently at me. “How long have you and Angela been friends?”
    “ I've known her family for a long time,” I said.
    Glenda nodded. “I know the family, too. I was Barbara's nurse in the months preceding her death.”
    “ Oh,” I said, trying to hide my surprise. “Yes, I heard she had a nurse taking care of her. Is that how you and Angela met?”
    Her expression turned sullen. “Barbara Foster was a wonderful woman and I was honored to be her caretaker. Angela and I became friends during that time. After her mom passed, Angela came to me and wanted to be a part of my volunteer group. Now she travels all over Florida, hosting lectures at various communities and churches and has been responsible for a multitude of fundraisers to keep our program running.”
    “ That's right,” I said. “I think I heard somewhere that you just received a very large donation, just last month.
    Glenda seemed confused. “I beg your pardon?”
    “ A large anonymous donation in the vicinity of a hundred grand.” I