addressing the rest of us.
We all stared at it in silence. Even Detective Grant silently considered it. I had to admit it looked like a frog.
“For God’s sake, why do you have a tattoo of a frog on your shoulder?” asked Blythe.
“Shamrock,” interjected Bridget.
“Whatever,” Blythe replied. “You’re not even Irish!”
Bridget lifted her chin. “No, but Colin is. I got the shamrock as a wedding present for him.”
Blythe stared at her in open-mouthed amazement. “A tattoo? You got him a tattoo for a wedding present? Who does that? What’s wrong with a nice watch?”
Detective Grant stepped forward. “Excuse me, ladies, but I am trying to conduct a murder investigation. Could we discuss the frog tattoo another time?”
Blythe and Bridget fell silent and nodded, although I saw Bridget mouth
“I’m sorry, Detective,” Blythe said, shaking her head apologetically. “Forgive us. We’re really not as callous as we appear. I think we’re all anxious to focus on anything other than the tragedy at hand.”
Elsie stepped forward and thrust the list at Detective Grant. “That’s everyone who attended last night,” she said. “Phone numbers and addresses are included.”
Detective Grant took the thick stack of paper and idly thumbed through it. “Thank you,” he said.
As the meaning of this exchange dawned on Bridget, her jaw fell open. “Wait a minute! You can’t possibly think that one of our guests had anything to do with this!”
“I understand your concern, Mrs. Delaney. But it’s a possibility that we need to take into consideration.” From his tone, I suspected he considered it to be only a faint possibility. “There was a key found near the body, found by your friend Ms. Parker,” he said with a nod in my direction. “It is from the Jefferson Hotel. Additionally, we found an anonymous note in the deceased’s purse. It demanded a meeting at two A.M.”
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean... ” Bridget began.
“It was written on stationery also from the Jefferson,” Detective Grant added.
Bridget’s mouth snapped shut. All of the out-of-town wedding guests had stayed at the Jefferson.
A sudden chirping noise broke the uncomfortable silence that followed this statement. Glancing down at the silver beeper on his belt, Detective Grant pushed a button and silenced the machine. “Excuse me a moment,” he said, turning back toward the study. “I need to make a phone call. I’ll be right back.”
No one spoke until the study door shut behind him. Bridget whirled around and faced her parents. “He really thinks one of our guests killed Roni? This is absurd. We’re... we’re nice people! Our friends are nice people. None of them could have done this. It’s not possible!”
Blythe stepped forward and wrapped her arm around Bridget’s shoulder. “I know, dear, but—”
Before she could continue, David interrupted, “But the alternative is an even less attractive possibility.”
“What do you mean?” asked Bridget.
“I mean, that if one of
“David!” gasped Claire. “How can you even think that?”
“Because, unlike some people, I have half a brain.”
“Yes, but we’ve never actually held that against you, David,” said Elsie, her voice tight with anger. “Although, if you keep talking like this, we might have to revisit that decision.”
Elsie was one of the few members of the Matthews family who weren’t afraid of David’s unpredictable temper. She considered him nothing more than a bully and firmly believed that when dealing with bullies, you had to push them harder than they pushed you. I admired her courage: David, angry, made me just want to run like hell.
He ignored her. The rest of us held our breath as we watched their showdown.
“I don’t recall you having any kind words for her when you realized she wanted Avery to sell the Garden,” Elsie continued.
“That’s different!”
“Is it? I don’t see how.”
Elsie took another step closer to David. She gripped the cane in her right hand, and for a wild moment I thought she was going to bash David over the head with it. Whether she would have or not, I don’t know because Millie suddenly yelled out, “Mr. Matthews! Avery! Oh, dear God! Avery!”
At the sound of the panic in her voice, I jerked my head in her direction and saw Avery slumped in his chair. His face was a sickly shade of gray and his breathing labored. After her moment of panic, Millie transformed back into her role of efficient nurse. Leaning over his recumbent form, she grabbed his wrist and closed her eyes in concentration.
“Dad!” Harry said, crossing the room in a few steps to Avery’s side.
“Avery? Can you hear me? Are you ill, dear?” Elsie asked.
Avery answered weakly, “Just a little dizzy.”
Millie shook her head. “You need to rest. Now. This is too much for you. I won’t risk you relapsing.” Her voice rose in agitation. She took a breath to calm herself and continued. “I’m taking you to your room,” she said decidedly. Briskly stepping behind Avery’s chair, she pushed him from the room. Harry followed, his face a mask of worry.
Elsie watched them leave, a pensive expression on her face, before turning again to David. Squaring her shoulders, she tilted her head back and glared at him. “I will not have you throwing about your asinine accusations,” she said in clipped tones. “You obviously have no idea of the damage they can do.”
“All I’ve done is tell the truth. You all hated her. It’s only a matter of time before the police find out.”
“Oh, I think it’s safe to say that the police already know that,” said a deep voice to my left. I didn’t need to look to know who it was.
Chapter 13
Cheer up! The worst is yet to come!
From the doorway, Detective Grant contemplated us, his wide face carefully devoid of emotion. That’s not to say, however, that his mood was indefinite. Far from it, in fact. He angrily drummed his gold pen against his gray pant leg in a manner that suggested that he was either highly annoyed or horribly strung out on caffeine.
Suddenly, he took a step toward us, his movement graceful, like a panther about to pounce. His expression was ominous. It took all of my self-control not to take an equally large step back. “Let me make myself clear,” he said with deliberation. “I do not like games.” He paused. “I do not like people who play games. I do not like people who withhold vital information.” He paused again. “A woman was murdered here last night. It’s my job to find out who did it. If you know something, then you will tell me. It’s as simple as that. And if you don’t... ” He shrugged expressively. “Well, let’s hope it doesn’t get that far, but in the meantime, I’m going to ask that none of you leave town.”
“What?” yelped Bridget. “But what about our honeymoon? We’re scheduled to leave today! I mean, I don’t want to sound insensitive, but... ” She paused. After a moment she ducked her head and muttered, “Never mind. I already
Graham stepped forward. “How long are we to stay here?” he asked.
“Until I say so.”
Graham’s eyebrows bristled ominously and Blythe quickly moved in front of Graham, putting a restraining hand on his arm.
“Detective Grant,” she said smoothly, “I can assure you that we will cooperate with your investigation.
