Penned In - Lynn Cahoon Page 0,24
Angie tell us the message.”
Angie could feel everyone’s eyes on her. “Lyda said the murder was a mistake. That someone was acting in her memory and that he was wrong to try to enact revenge on an innocent man.”
Marty snorted. “Well, we know this is bunk because Pat wasn’t innocent. He was a mean jerk and used people.”
“I don’t think that was what she was talking about. She said she’d killed the prison guard in anger because her daughter had been taken from her. She said she was wrong to strike out but that whoever killed Pat was related to her and acting unwisely.” Angie glanced at Thaddeus.
“How the hell did you figure that out?” He rubbed his face. “You’re right and you’re wrong. I am descended from Lyda. From that baby girl that was taken from her. But I didn’t kill the guard. I was here to try to contact her. To see if those rumors about her haunting this place were true. To show her that we’d made a difference with our lives. Lives that she gave us.”
“What are you talking about?” Tamera stared at her uncle. “This is why you wanted to come here? To talk to a dead person rather than bond with Tad and me?”
He shook his head with a slight eye roll. “You two are fine. Your space in the will is set. You won’t be left penniless.”
“It’s not about the money.” Tad shot back. “You’re the closest thing I’ve had to a father since I was sixteen and you treat us like we’re strangers. Why can’t you just be a normal uncle and take us to dinner. Ask what’s going on in our lives? Just give a shit.”
“Tad,” Tamera squeezed her brother’s hand.
“No, he’s right. I’ve been distant. At first, I thought you were okay. You didn’t need me. Then I just lost track. I focused on my career and the money and not the people who matter. I’m sorry.” Thaddeus took put his hand on the top of the siblings’.
“Touching family scene aside, which one of you two killed Pat?” Bridget brought the conversation back to the present. “The ghost said one of you did it for the wrong reasons.”
“I didn’t kill your friend. I was here for other reasons.” Thaddeus glanced at his nephew. “And I believe Tad was here to please me.”
“I didn’t kill anyone. I might be a screw up, but I’m not an idiot.” Tad broke the circle and wiped his eyes. “So find another patsy. I’m not being one this time.”
“Return to the circle.” Liz commanded. And to Angie’s surprise, Tad followed suit.
Angie spoke up. “She didn’t say a relative did this, she said someone did it in her name. Someone killed Pat because he was like the guard who fathered her child.”
“I’m telling you all again, I didn’t kill Pat.” Marty sighed. “Did I hate the guy? Yes. Was he making Rachel’s life hell because she was in love with me? Yes. Did I want him out of our lives? Hell, yes.”
“There’s one person who would benefit from this chaos. There’s one person who needed Pat out of the way.” Angie shook her head at Marty who started to speak. “It was you Sara. You killed Pat so Nick could take his job.”
“That’s stupid. Sara didn’t even know I wanted to work here. Besides, we’ve got a gig in the works. The four of us are starting a ghost busting podcast. It’s going to be awesome.” Nick turned and looked at his new wife who was staring at Angie, her face pale. “Right, honey? Honey?”
“Stop talking about that dumb podcast. It’s not going to make a dime. How do you plan on us making rent or even putting gas in that dumpy van of yours? And you’re running our credit cards up with your stupid toys.” The words fell out of Sara’s mouth before she realized what she was saying.
“You killed someone?” Nick stared at her.
“No. I didn’t. Honey, look, I just want us to be okay. I want you to think about us, not this stupid podcast.” She looked pleadingly at her new husband. Then she looked at the table. “I didn’t kill Pat.”
“But someone did, and you helped him.” Angie repeated. “Do you want to tell us why you locked the guards in the closet?”
She stared at Angie. “How did you know that was me?”
“You stupid cow.” Glen yelled at her. “They were guessing and now you’ve just gone and ruined my alibi. I