Show Me Betrayal

Copyright © 2023 by Ellen E. Withers Published by Scrivenings Press LLC 15 Lucky Lane Morrilton, Arkansas 72110 https://ScriveningsPress.com Printed in the United States of America All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy and recording— without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews. Paperback ISBN 978-1-64917-291-4 eBook ISBN 978-1-64917-292-1 Editors: Elena Hill and Susan Page Davis Cover by Linda Fulkerson www.bookmarketinggraphics.com All characters are fictional, and any resemblance to real people, either factual or historical, is purely coincidental. For my family and a Heavenly trifecta of fantastic women: My mother, Ruth Gorrell Erdel, who nurtured my love for reading; My Aunt Juanita Ulrich Erdel, who became my mother figure when mine passed too soon; and Louise Pruitt Withers, my former mother-in-law, turned “mother-in-love,” who seemed to adore every word I wrote. Contents Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40 Chapter 41 Chapter 42 Chapter 43 Chapter 44 Chapter 45 Author’s Note Acknowledgments About Ellen E. Withers More Mysteries from Scrivenings Press Chapter One Liesl November 1 Liesl raced across the porch steps of the grand Victorian dwelling, through the house, and up the stairs. What happened? Aunt Suzanne was fine, but now she might not make it? At the doorway of her great-aunt’s bedroom, she gathered courage around her like a cloak and stepped into the room. “Hello there.” Aunt Suzanne’s frail body was small and pale against the cream-colored sheets. Her gray hair hung loose around her narrow, oval face. If she’d heard Liesl, she gave no sign. Liesl felt gut-punched by her aunt’s drastic decline. Crossing the polished hardwood floor, she dropped her purse on a nearby chair—no need for medical training. One glance hinted at Aunt Suzanne’s dire condition. She should be in a hospital bed, not her own bed. Aunt Suzanne’s cheek felt afire against her kiss. With a soft caress, Liesl smoothed her mussed hair. Still no movement. She hadn’t considered the possibility of life without her aunt in her twenty-seven years. She dropped onto the chair next to the bed and silently prayed for a miracle. God, this wonderful woman means everything to me. Must you take her so soon? “Hello, Liesl.” She jumped at the unexpected greeting. Patricia Sizemore, Aunt Suzanne’s friend, rose from a chaise longue in the far corner of the bedroom and moved toward Liesl. She offered no handshake or hug. Her usual rigid personality had not softened, even under these circumstances. “Mrs. Sizemore.” Liesl ran her fingers through her hair. She must look hideous to the prim and proper woman before her. “Thank you for being here.” Mrs. Sizemore tried to straighten her navy pantsuit, but the wrinkles remained, likely the result of a long vigil at Aunt Suzanne’s bedside. It was the first time Liesl had seen her look less than perfect. This morning, dark circles framed her cool, blue eyes hooded by puffy lids. Her mouth, sans lipstick, twisted from a grimace into a slight smile. “We weren’t expecting you so quickly,” Mrs. Sizemore said. Liesl shrugged. “After Doreen’s call last night, I threw clothes in a bag and drove all night. How is she?” The two turned toward Aunt Suzanne. “No better.” Mrs. Sizemore spoke in a low voice. “Before she left, Doreen called Dr. Johnson again. He’ll be here any moment.” “This was so sudden.” “Yes, she was fine at the Butterfly House board meeting three days ago.” “I appreciate you and Doreen taking care of her.” Liesl turned and noticed her bloodshot eyes. “Would you like to go home and rest?” Mrs. Sizemore shook her head. “No, dear. You might need help.” “Thank you.” Liesl returned to the chair beside the bed. When Mrs. Sizemore left the room a few minutes later, Aunt Suzanne’s eyes fluttered open. “Liesl ... sweet Liesl,” she whispered. Liesl blinked back tears, leaned down, and repeated her kiss. “You got sick, so I thought I’d come for a visit.” Aunt Suzanne’s lips forced a smile, and her liver-spotted hand burrowed out from under the covers. Liesl held it against her cheek and felt the warmth of her aunt’s gnarled fingers. These fingers had bandaged her skinned knees and squeezed her hand in reassurance when she’d lacked faith. “Don’t worry. I’m here to take care of you.” Liesl gave her hand a little squeeze with the hope her aunt would have the strength to fight her illness. Stay with me. Have courage. “So good to see you,” Aunt Suzanne said. Her voice seemed raspy. “Love you to the moon and back.” “Love you to the stars, Aunt Suzanne.” They smiled at the affectionate phrases they’d always exchanged. After a moment, the old woman’s smile faded. “You must find my book.” “You mean my book?” Liesl had published several romance novels. “You want one of my books?” Aunt Suzanne’s brow furrowed, and she shook her head. What book was she talking about? Her lips moved, and Liesl leaned closer. “Must ... stop the killer,” Aunt Suzanne said. “Did you say killer?” Liesl squeaked her response with astonishment. “Yes ... who killed Winnie ... all there ... in my book.” Aunt Suzanne couldn’t be talking about Liesl’s books. Hers were romances, not murder mysteries. “Where is this book?” After a moment, Aunt Suzanne blinked her watery green eyes. “Don’t trust anyone who was there.” “Where?” Was she hallucinating? With all the medicine on the table beside her aunt, had