I finished my drink, then turned to my old headmistress. “One more thing, if that’s okay?”
She nodded. “Go on, dear.”
“Do you remember anything about Letty’s strawberry allergy?”
She pursed her lips. “Just that it was fast acting. Why, the first time it happened, the poor thing had barely touched the fruit to her lips when she had a reaction.” Mrs. Rankle winced. “Her face turned red and splotchy, her lips swelled, and her throat closed up. I nearly had a heart attack, searching our first aid kit for that anti-allergy potion.”
Something turned inside me, and I sat up straight. “That’s it!”
She shot me a puzzled look.
“Thank you!” I jumped to my feet and set my empty glass on the seat of the metal lawn chair. “Good to see you again, Mrs. Rankle. I think I know who killed Letty.”
She gave me a wave. “You too, Miss Hartgrave. I’ll look for the news in the papers?”
I nodded and bounced on my toes, eager to go find Peter. “Yep—if I’m right.”
She winked. “Go get ’em.”
I RAN (WELL, jogged a few stretches and speed walked the rest of the way) up to the police station at the top of the mountain. Edna waved hello, and I sped past cops escorting perps, over to Peter’s metal desk. He looked up, surprised, Daisy curled up at his feet. I’d stopped by home to change my clothes, otherwise I’m sure she’d have had a lot to say about that special eau de sewer.
“Jolene. I thought we were regrouping tomorrow.” He stacked some pieces of parchment. “My shift’s just about over, want to grab a cup of—”
I perched on the edge of his desk and flashed him a grin. “I think I know who killed Letty.”
His eyes, tired and dull from a full night of work, lit up. “Yeah?”
I nodded. “I need you to test Chaz Harrington’s clothes for something.”
He frowned. “Okay….”
I glanced down at Daisy. “And I’ve got an idea. How good is your coroner with potions? And can you have a patrol bring Will and Heidi up here?”
24
EVIDENCE
Peter, Daisy, and I (and a few more cops for backup) had shown up at Chaz’s penthouse, only to discover he wasn’t home. We left a couple of officers to search Chaz’s place for his wedding tux, and Peter contacted Edna back at the station. We were able to locate Chaz at his parents’ estate, but by then Inspector Bon caught word of what was going on and insisted on supervising, since the Harringtons were such a prominent family in Bijou Mer.
A couple of officers stayed posted near the doors of the library while we gathered Chaz, Cybil, May the maid, Mr. and Mrs. Harrington, and their lawyer inside. Chaz slumped on the chaise beside Cybil, looking miserable, while Mrs. Harrington poured herself an ample glass of wine and Mr. Harrington paced in front of the roaring fire. The maid stood by the window, wringing her hands, and the lawyer pulled up a seat beside Mrs. Harrington, his eyes narrowed as he watched Peter.
Mr. Harrington paused and stood with one hand on the stone mantle of the fireplace, the crossed swords and shield bearing the family bat crest above him. I looked around for Bartholomew, the family mascot, but didn’t spot him. He was probably staying wisely far away from what was about to go down.
Mr. Harrington, looking refined in a cashmere sweater and shiny leather loafers, lifted a palm. “What’s this all about? Have you caught Letty’s killer?”
Peter, with Daisy at his side, nodded at me, and I took a deep breath. Snakes, I hoped I was right about all of this and that the cops back at Chaz’s showed up with the evidence soon.
I stepped forward. “Yes, I believe we have found her killer—and they’re in this room.”
“Gasp!” Mrs. Harrington rolled her eyes. “Let me guess, the maid did it?”
May choked.
Mrs. Harrington, her eyes glazed, leaned over to the family lawyer. “We’re going to sue the entire police department, yes, for putting us through such unnecessary theatrics?”
Inspector Bon, who leaned against the wood-paneled walls near the door, spluttered. “Come again? I—I don’t think that’s called for!”
The balding lawyer smirked, then glared at Bon. “I definitely think someone needs to be held accountable.”
The inspector’s neck flushed red, and he glowered at me. “You better be right about this.”
I swallowed, my throat tight. I blew out a shaky breath, suddenly feeling as nervous as I used to get before delivering my closing arguments in court. I glanced at Peter, and he gave me an encouraging nod, then winked. I nodded and squared my shoulders, feeling just a bit more confident.
I cleared my throat. “I believe that when we’re finished presenting all the evidence, you’ll be too busy running damage control for the guilty party to sue anyone.” I shot the lawyer a bright smile, and his expression darkened.
I turned and addressed the rest of the room. “To recap—Letty Jones died of an allergic reaction. However, despite the plate of strawberries found near her body, no traces of berries were found in her stomach or digestive system—only on her lips.”
Mrs. Harrington scoffed. “She could’ve just reacted too quickly to have digested the berries.”
I nodded. “Possibly.” I shifted on my feet. “We also know that family friend, Rachel Whitmore, enticed Chaz to go on a picnic with her to an old spot next to the canal on pretense of apologizing. We know that she actually used this time to not only make another pass at Chaz, but when that failed, to pick wild strawberries growing in the woods on the family estate.”
Mr. and Mrs. Harrington snapped their gazes to me.
Mrs. Harrington sniffed. “Go, Rachel.” She turned to her son. “I told you that girl had determination and drive. You should’ve picked her.”
“Mom!” Chaz shook his head.
I licked my lips. “Rachel sent Joe Santos,
