A Midsummer Night's Scream

how to put this in the right order ,“ Mel admitted. “There are a number of confirmations. The Dumpster diver knew what day he found the club and pawned it the day after the janitor was struck. There was a bellman at your hotel the same day who saw your husband walk out with a golf club in his hand and return shortly later without it. The only reason he remembered this is because it was his last day before a short vacation, from which he returned today.“
    “Anything more?“
    “Yes. Sven Turner, the college janitor who was attacked, has recovered his memory. Due only to his sister’s determination,“ Mel said, looking at Jane for a moment. “He was in the audience tonight in a wheelchair in the aisle closest to the stage and clearly remembered that your husband’s distinctive voice is one of the two he overheard just before Denny was murdered.“
    He went on, glancing at his notes. “In addition, we’ve seized the recent records of the pharmacy his old friend owns. There’s a prescription that was given your husband for the same sleeping pills that were found in Dennis Roth’s blood system. The doctor’s name was forged by your husband’s friend. He’s going to be in trouble, too.“
    Ms. Bunting was quiet for a few minutes, and finally said, “I’m forced to believe you, but I have no idea why John would have done this. He’s not a moral man, I’ve known that for years. But murder? Why would he murder a perfectly innocent stranger?“
    As Ms. Bunting spoke, Jane rose and went to sit next to her.
    Mel said, “In Denny’s wallet, there was a safety-deposit box key, which was unfortunately overlooked by my staff, but found by his adoptive parents. In the box at the bank was Denny’s original birth certificate and a copy of it with your husband’s fingerprints on it.“ Mel paused for a long breath before saying, “The birth certificate named his birth parents, Susan Thayer and John Bunting.“
    Ms. Bunting drew a sharp breath. “Susan Thayer? I know that name. We did a play here in Chicago about twenty years ago. She had a small role in it. She was not a nice young woman. I remember, too, that John claimed he was spending a lot of time with all his old school friends. I suppose now that was just one of his many lies. He must have been with her.“
    Gloria Bunting finally broke down. Her voice was clogged with horror and tears poured down her face. “It can’t be John. There must be other people with the same name.“
    “A blood sample will be taken as soon as your husband is booked. Of course, you could be right. However, there was also two thousand dollars in the box. Your husband’s fingerprints were on the first and last bill in the stack, and so were the fingerprints of his pharmacist friend. The pharmacist admits to lending the money to him because your husband told him he was being blackmailed by an illegitimate son.“
    The woman officer offered Ms. Bunting a tissue again. Gloria took it this time and dabbed away the tears and blew her nose. “Thank you, miss. Detective VanDyne, I hope you’re wrong. But I know in my heart that you’re right.“
    She turned to Jane and threw herself into Jane’s arms.
    Jane was sniffling as well. “Ms. Bunting, I wish there were some way to help you.“
    A long moment went by, and Gloria Bunting mumbled into the collar of Jane’s blouse, “You girls find out who is the best divorce attorney in town and make me an appointment for Monday morning.“
    She straightened up and the officer handed heranother tissue. Ms. Bunting’s nose and eyes were red, but she was back in control. “Detective Van-Dyne, I have our only checkbook in my purse. I’m not making bail. Tell John that. I’m not paying his legal fees either. He’s going to have to try to get those from his golfing pals.“
    Shelley said, “We’ll take you back to the hotel, Ms. Bunting, and stay as long as you want us to.“
    Mel said, “That’s a nice thought, Mrs. Nowack, but Officer Tanner here is prepared to take you to the hotel, if you like.“
    Ms. Bunting said, “I’ll accept that offer, thank you, Detective VanDyne. I don’t want to impose more than I have to on Jane and Shelley.“
    “What about the play?“ Shelley suddenly said in spite of herself. “Oh, what a trivial thing to ask. I’m sorry,“ she said.
    “It will go on,“ Mel said. “I warned Professor Imry in advance what was going to happen and swore him to secrecy. The young man who plays the elderly