No Escape

by Lida Sideris

About the Author: Lida Sideris writes the Southern California Mystery series. She won the Helen McCloy Mystery Writers of America scholarship award for Murder and Other Unnatural Disasters, the first novel in the series. Slightly Murderous Intent, #4 in the series, was a Silver Falchion award finalist. To learn more, please visit: www.LidaSideris.com

Excerpt

“Is she dead?” Sherilyn whispered.

“No, she always sleeps like that.” Jeffrey tucked his thumbs into his belt.

“I don’t think she’s breathing.”

They leaned forward and eyed the dusty old lady. Her puff of light hair stuck out in all directions like a gone-to-seed dandelion.

“Watch this.” Jeffrey jabbed the lady’s bony hand with his finger.

Her lips clenched briefly and she stirred in the leather recliner before settling back to sleep.

“See?” Jeffrey snickered. “I’ve watched her snooze all week. It’s always the same routine. Doris eats dinner. Doris takes a leak. Doris sits in this crummy old chair and conks out ’til morning, while I painfully die of boredom. There’s no TV or Internet in this dump, can you believe it? Let’s blow.” He grabbed Sherilyn’s hand.

“Shouldn’t you help her to bed? You are her caregiver.” Sherilyn wasn’t keen on leaving just yet. “Can’t be comfortable sleeping in a chair all night.”

“You don’t hear her complaining, do you? Besides, who’s gonna know? She’s got nobody, but me.” Jeffrey pulled Sherilyn toward the hallway.

“Doesn’t seem right …” Sherilyn dragged her heels. The old woman had been asleep since they arrived over an hour ago. Maybe she wouldn’t miss them.

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