Page 76 of The Murder Club

Dorinda pursed her lips, searching her mind for any association between the women. “Not that I can think of,” she at last conceded defeat. “Is there a reason you care?”

Bailey swallowed a sigh. Dorinda knew everything about everyone. That meant there was no obvious connection between the older women.

“Just curious.”

Dorinda clicked her tongue. “You didn’t leave that gorgeous man alone because you’re curious,” she chided. “What’s going on?”

Bailey didn’t want to share what was happening. Not when there was even a vague possibility it would put the older woman in danger. But she knew Dorinda too well to think she would answer her questions without some explanation.

“I was at the nursing home—”

“Have you gone back to work?” Dorinda interrupted in sharp tones.

“No. Logan asked me to come in to try to persuade me to return.”

“Of course he did.” The older woman sniffed. “Did he beg?”

“Not exactly.”

“I’d wait until he got on his knees.”

Bailey tried and failed to imagine the egotistical Logan Donaldson on his knees.

“A nice thought, but it’s doubtful he’d ever swallow his pride.”

“That’s true enough.” Dorinda leaned forward to shove aside a stack of magazines so she could set down her cup. “If you decided to quit your job, Bailey, you know you could always ask me for help. That’s what neighbors are for.”

Bailey felt a flare of warmth. It wasn’t just the fact that Dorinda would share everything she owned without hesitation; it was the kindness that shimmered in her eyes. This woman had been a part of Bailey’s life since she moved in with her grandmother. She’d been a babysitter, a confidant, and a shoulder to cry on when Bailey was afraid to tell her grandmother she’d crashed their only car.

“All I need is information,” she assured her friend.

“Okay.” Dorinda sat back, her hands folded in her lap. “I have plenty of that.”

“True.” Bailey deliberately paused to tease the older woman’s curiosity. “And you’re also willing to overlook the fact that I might have gotten the information by eavesdropping on a private conversation between Logan and his mother.”

As expected, Dorinda’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. “Eavesdropping is always the best way to get information,” she agreed. “What did you hear?”

“They were arguing about Logan endangering the reputation of the nursing home. I’m not sure exactly what they were talking about, but I assumed it had something to do with the fact that he’d refused Nellie’s demand to call the sheriff when she caught Gage stealing from her.”

Dorinda’s expression tightened with disapproval. “Not to mention blaming you when Nellie changed her will.”

Bailey grimaced, refusing to dwell on the distress that the Donaldsons had deliberately caused her. Those two would be willing to sacrifice anyone and anything to protect their business.

“Logan refused to accept the blame and insisted that he wouldn’t have to take risks if she hadn’t kept him away from his father.”

“Oh.”

Bailey frowned as she watched a strange emotion soften the older woman’s features. As if she’d forgotten why she was angry with the Donaldsons.

“I thought Lorene was a widow when she came to Pike,” Bailey said. “I remember someone mentioning a car accident.”

Dorinda nodded her head. “That’s the story I heard as well.”

“So no one knows where she comes from or anything about her past?”

The older woman shifted on the couch, as if she was suddenly uncomfortable with the conversation.

“There were rumors when she first showed up,” she eventually admitted.

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