Alex Harris 00 - Poisoned

much on the deals, she just liked helping out people she thought might need a second chance. She had an uncanny sense for knowing which people were good risks and surprisingly, she never got stiffed.
    Meme finished writing something in the notebook and closed it. “And then me and Theresa are going over to Fred’s for some Pinochle.”
    I held my mug between my hands and smiled. “Viagra Fred?”
    Meme shook her head and sighed heavily. “Generic Fred. He can’t afford the real stuff. From what I hear, though, that generic brand does the trick.”
    “Is this first-hand knowledge?” I asked, staring at my grandmother and not sure I wanted to know.
    “Naw,” Meme said with a wave of her hand. “Ester likes to brag, but if you ask me, even with those generics, I can’t see how a ninety-four year old man is going to get any use out of them. I think Ester’s full of hot air.”
    I kissed my grandmother goodbye with an admonishment not to cheat. Meme just cackled and pushed me out the door.

CHAPTER NINE

    On the way to the Brissart home I drove through the old part of town, and stopped at Kruger’s Market to pick something up for lunch. If what Chantal had told me about Bradley’s food being poisoned was true—a tidbit of information that John all but confirmed last night—then I planned to bring my own lunch rather than nibble on anything in the Brissart household. I worried about using the refrigerator and opted for an apple and a package of rice cakes, or Styrofoam coasters as my sister referred to them.
    I put the bag on the seat next to me, drove down Main Street and turned left heading for the Sound. Fifteen minutes later I sat in front of Paulson’s Professionals. My car headed here on its own volition and now here I was stalking the competition. I had no idea what I thought I’d find out but I just wanted to take a look at the place.
    For starters the small office sat smack dab in the middle of a strip mall. I smiled. They obviously didn’t have a lot of money. I reached into the bag and pulled out the package of M&Ms I purchased along with my lunch. I absently ripped it open and took out a few. A car came slowly down the street and passed me. It turned into the strip mall parking lot and parked in a space right outside Paulson’s Professionals. I watched the woman exit the car but I couldn’t see her face. She dropped something and when she turned to pick it up I recognized her.
    “Beth Amena. I knew it,” I muttered. Beth was one of our junior temps who thought she had more experience than she did. I encouraged her to take some of the online courses we offered on our Web site to boost her skills, but she wasn’t interested in more training. She just wanted to be sent out on the bigger jobs.
    I watched for a few minutes more and then put my car in gear. Who knew how long she’d be in there. When we interviewed a new temp we put them through a battery of tests and it took hours.
    I headed to the Brissart home, pulled into the driveway and parked in the same spot as the day before next to John’s car. Mrs. Brissart answered the door before I had a chance to ring the bell.
    “Good morning, Alex. I keep hoping it’s my son and his wife, though I really don’t expect them until sometime this afternoon. Stuart finally reached them yesterday morning, night for them. What an awful thing to have to tell someone over the phone. My son tried to sound so brave, but Lillian fell apart. I don’t know how they’re going to manage that long plane trip. I don’t usually advocate such things, but I hope they have a supply of tranquilizers.” She looked up at me mournfully.
    I wrapped my arm around the woman and could feel her small bones through her dress—quite a different feeling from my chubby grandmother. “Mrs. Brissart, I don’t know what to say. I am so terribly sorry for your loss. I only met Bradley the one time but he seemed like a wonderful man and Chantal thought very highly of him.”
    Mrs. Brissart managed a small smile. “That’s very nice of you to say. You’ll have to excuse my appearance, dear. I’m afraid I spent most of yesterday crying. I loved that boy with all my heart. A better grandson you couldn’t ask for.” She pulled a lace hankie from the pocket of her dress and blew her nose. “My son and his wife, well, they were devastated as you can well imagine. And Stuart stayed with me most of yesterday.” She shook her head of silver hair and a tear escaped down her