Murder AT The Flea Market

By Barbara Bodnar

Two women discover a dead women when they arrive at the local flea market to open their booths. They decide to investigate the murder on their own because they don't believe the police arn't working too hard to solve it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barbara Bodnar
• Release date: Feb 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9781393712404

Barbara Bodnar

Barbara Bodnar lives in Northwest Ohio with her husband and three dogs. Writing has always been in her blood, but started writing seriously after retirement.

Book preview

MURDER AT THE FLEA MARKET

CHAPTER ONE

MINDY MOVES HOME

Mindy answered her phone, and before she said hello, her mother began talking, Your dad has dementia, and it’s progressing.

Mindy fell silent, thinking about what her mother told her.

Are you there?

Mom, I’m here. Last week, he sounded fine. Are you sure the doctor has it right? Did you make an appointment with a neurologist?

The doctor diagnosed him two months ago, and I didn’t tell you because I just noticed little things for a few weeks. Now he forgets the names of people and things. Two days ago, he left for a walk and forgot how to get home, but a neighbor figured out something was wrong and walked him back. We have an appointment in the city with a neurologist and I need you to come home and go with us."

Sure, I can come on Thursday and stay as long as you need me? Call if you need me before them.

Mindy didn’t need to plan at work because tomorrow she would work her last day and she couldn’t be happier. Mindy received her law degree several years ago to please her father and expected to enjoy criminal law. However, she learned when she started her career, she hated it.

She planned to wait until her husband, Ben, returned from Iraq to find out where he would be stationed. Ten months ago, two army men came to her door and informed her Ben stepped on an IED and he died there in a field. It was when she quit her job. She had savings, the jewelry she made and sold online sold much better than she expected. Writing a crime novel was on her bucket list for most of her life. She determined she would write a book. She didn’t need money because she’d been saving money for a house, and she’d invested most of Ben’s insurance earning interest. Yep, she could do this.

Until her mother called, Mindy was not sure what she would do, but talking with her mom, it became crystal clear. She’d go home, live in the garage apartment at her parents’ house and help with her dad, and concentrate on writing her novel and making jewelry.

Mindy stayed up late, deciding how the move would happen.  She’d keep her condo for a year and then sell it if she was sure she wanted to stay in her hometown. She would leave the furniture so she and her parents would have somewhere to stay if they remained in the city for any reason. It was April and still cold in Maine these days. June was a good time to make the move. She would have plenty of time to work on the apartment. It sat empty several years and not in good shape. She wasn’t worried because she could fix it up. Mindy slept better than any night since Ben died.

MINDY PACKED HER CAR and toward home by ten o’clock Thursday morning. Only two hours’ drive, so she’d arrive at lunchtime. She worried about her dad and was excited to move home.

Iris, Mindy’s mom, watched for her from the porch. Mindy saw her mom’s tears before she got out of her car. Her mom cried and seeing her tears made Mindy nervous. Mom, has something happened with Dad? Is he okay?

We’re so happy you are here. Her mom wiped the tears away on her shirt sleeve and smiled. Happy tears.

Dark circles under Iris’s eyes showed how little she slept these days. She did didn’t sleep much, afraid Wilbur would wander away if she slept.

If she understood my plans, she could sleep better. I’ll tell them after lunch.

After Mindy settled in her old room, she walked out back to find her dad.

He stood in his empty garden plot, most likely seeing his future plants all grown and ready to enjoy.

Hey Dad, I’m home. I figured I’d find you here. Her dad turned and for a moment, he looked lost. Then he grinned from ear to ear and hugged her so tight she couldn’t breathe.

I see your mom brought in reinforcements. Her idea of the dementia is overblown a bit. Most of the time I am fine. Then, wham, it hits. She believes I’ll give her a hard time about the neurologist, but I want to find out all I can and what I can do to hold off the inevitable. No problem with me.

I’m glad to hear it. We’ll have plenty of time to make memories. even I have enough to fill my mind from my childhood. When the time comes and you can’t remember me, I want to have a lot more to store in my brain.

Wilbur looked away, hesitated and then said, When the time comes, and I can’t stay at home. Help your mother make the decision. Don’t let her feel guilty.

With tears in her eyes, she promised to help her mom with anything she needed.

She wanted to ask him about wills, and power of attorney and all those things, but left it for another time.

"Now let’s eat lunch, I’m starved and mom doesn’t like us to be late to the table. I have news of my own after we eat. Iris made homemade chicken noodle soup and crusty bread. A bowl of fruit completed the meal.

They finished eating, and Mindy said, Before you leave the table, I have news.

Her mom raised her eyebrows and said, Spill it, girl.

Mindy put her shaking hands on the table, I quit my job and plan to move back here and live in the apartment if you’ll have me. I have plenty of savings and Ben’s insurance. My plan is to write my crime novel and continue making and selling jewelry. I will keep my law license current in case I do some legal work. What do you guys think?

Iris got up so fast, she knocked her chair over. She ran around the table to hug Mindy. Her dad laughed and clapped.

You’ve thrilled us. Never thought I’d see the day you’d come back here to live. Let’s go check out the apartment.

The three walked through the apartment. It covered a three-car garage which made it spacious. Two big bedrooms, a bath and a half bath, kitchen/living room combo and a