Alex Harris 00 - Armed

were good friends.”
    “Yes. After Irwin died, Elvira came by in the evenings. Sometimes we took our dinner together. Of course, we did things before Irwin died, my own husband passed away many years ago. But once Irwin died, Elvira and I spent a lot of time together. Such a lovely woman.” Mrs. Haddock gave me a warm smile, but her soft blue eyes were misty.
    I took a sip of the heavenly brew and wondered if tea tasted better when served in fine china. I would have to purchase a set.
    “Mrs. Haddock,” I began, “I’m sure you know the circumstances of Mrs. Scott’s death.”
    “I certainly do. I’ve been keeping my doors locked ever since.” Mrs. Haddock drew her cardigan closer to her body and gave a quick shiver. “Who would have done such a thing? Do the police know anything at all?”
    “Not that I’m aware of. Actually, I hoped you might be able to shed some light on what happened.”
    “Me? I’m sorry, Ms. Harris, I don’t understand.”
    “Please, call me Alex. I think the police are of the opinion this wasn’t an act of random violence. If that’s the case, then someone wanted Mrs. Scott dead.”
    Mrs. Haddock gasped. “But who? Who would want Elvira dead?” She shook her head. “No, that just can’t be. The police asked a lot of questions, but I never thought about why. Someone wanted to kill her?”
    “That very well may be the case. Could you tell me a bit about her? Maybe there’s something in her past that would give us a clue.” Seeing Mrs. Haddock hesitate, I gave her an abbreviated version of what had transpired.
    “Well, I guess it’s okay to talk with you. As long as Mr. Poupée asked. Elvira respected him and talked fondly of him on several occasions.”
    Of course my ears perked up with the words fondly and on several occasions .
    “Did he come over often?”
    “Often? No. Just when Elvira needed help with something.”
    “But they were close?” I prodded.
    “Close professionally. He helped her after Irwin died. And he kept her on at Poupée. She was almost sixty-five, she was. She knew he could hire someone with a lot more of those computer skills everyone needs, but Mr. Poupée wouldn’t hear of it. It’s a good thing because she loved her job.”
    “Did she have a lot of friends?”
    “No. Not really. She and Irwin kept pretty much to themselves. They had a few friends they played cards with once in a while, but not much else.”
    “How about family? Mr. Poupée seems to think there isn’t any.”
    Mrs. Haddock sighed. “That’s true, I’m afraid. They never were lucky enough to have children. Elvira was an only child and I think Irwin might have been as well. I’m really not certain though I do know he married and divorced before he and Elvira met.”
    I noticed Mrs. Haddock kept a supply of yarn and crochet hooks close to a comfortable chair by the window, and thinking she probably sat there in the evenings doing needle work while looking out the window, I tried a different direction. “Did you happen to see anyone lurking about who doesn’t belong in the neighborhood?”
    “Well, it’s odd you mention that because the police asked me the same thing. I don’t know if it will help much, but I told them that on two occasions, late in the evening, I saw a person standing across from the house.” Mrs. Haddock rose and walked to the window parting the gauze curtains as I followed. “Over there. By that tree.” Mrs. Haddock pointed to a large poplar.
    “Was it a man or a woman?” I asked as adrenalin pumped through my body.
    Mrs. Haddock released the corner of the curtain and returned to her chair and her cup of tea. “As I told the police, Alex, I can’t be sure. My eyes aren’t what they used to be.”
    “But you’re sure you saw someone?”
    “Reasonably sure. I nap in the afternoons and in the evenings I like to stay up for the news and maybe a movie if they’re showing something good. I get all those movie channels. On two occasions, when I turned out the lights, I thought I saw movement by that tree. Most people around here are asleep by the time I turn in.”
    “It could have been someone walking their dog,” I suggested.
    “Perhaps. Oh, I feel so foolish! I probably shouldn’t have said a word. With these old eyes, it was probably just a shadow.”
    “Nonsense. I’m sure the police appreciate what you’ve told them. Let me ask you one more thing. Did this happen recently? I mean seeing the person by the tree?”
    She