Alex Harris 00 - Poisoned

drove down the street just as J.T. Smit arrived. Damn! I planned on driving to his office next but instead pulled over and opened the glove compartment. I reached in and took out a small container I keep stashed in there. To my horror it contained only three M&Ms. Three! I popped them in my mouth and tapped my fingers on the steering wheel trying to decide what to do next. Going back to work didn’t sound like much fun, though a trip to the next drugstore I spotted for more candy might be in order.
    From the second June mentioned that Marsha worked at the library, a thought formed at the back of my mind. Bradley had to do research somewhere, and the Indian Cove Library contained a very good reference section of the history of the area. Of course, he could have just used the Internet like everyone else, but Bradley struck me as someone who liked to get his hands dirty and dig right in.
    The library was housed in a rather stately building and had a surprisingly excellent selection of books. I used the library a lot as a child but somehow over time I developed the habit of buying books from the second hand bookshop in the center of town.
    I walked to the information counter and inquired about Marsha. The young volunteer told me I was expected and directed me to the employee lounge. I realized with a start that any chance of catching Marsha off guard disappeared the moment I left June’s house. The old woman probably called her daughter before J.T. walked in the door. She was more on the ball than I gave her credit for.
    The lounge sat at the back of the first floor next to the public restrooms. As I approached I saw Marsha sitting on a worn burgundy sofa looking through a magazine.
    “Mother said you were probably on your way so I waited to get my turn over with. I thought we had a pretty good talk at my aunt’s already.”
    My cheeks colored slightly as I took a seat across from Marsha. “Yes, we did. But something else occurred to me. I must admit I’m surprised everyone is willing to talk with me,” I said honestly.
    “Why not?” Marsha said, as she closed the magazine and tossed it on a side table littered with many others from the same vintage. “You’re dating the officer in charge so you’re going to get your information from him if we don’t cooperate.”
    “Well, actually…”
    “He doesn’t know you’re going around conducting your own investigation, does he? This is priceless.” Marsha laughed, clapping her hands together. “Maybe I can use this information to get something out of you.”
    “Such as?” I asked feeling contrite.
    “Such as whom does he think did it? We know the police think one of us is guilty. Hell, for all I know, maybe they think we all did it, each taking a turn putting a drop of the stuff on the cookies.”
    “He doesn’t actually discuss the case with me,” I lied, but only slightly. John only told me harmless information.
    Marsha crossed her arms. “Well, that figures. Okay, what do you want to know? I’ve got to pick up my kids.”
    “Did Bradley come in here a lot?”
    “Yeah, he did. Mostly on weekends.”
    “Were you ever here when he was?”
    “A few times. I actually helped him. He turned in a request for some microfilm information and I got it for him.”
    “So you knew about the history?’
    “Of course. I already told you. The family history.”
    “But did you actually read any of it?”
    Marsha shook her head of dark brown hair. She wore it similar to mine with the advantage that she had a lot of it. I was not so lucky. “No. Well, I may have glanced at a few articles in some old magazines that he asked for. A lot’s been written about my family over the years.”
    “But nothing specific sticks out in your mind?”
    “No. Not really. Why? What does this have to do with anything? I thought Aunt Roberta was supposed to die.”
    “I don’t know what or even if the history has anything to do with anything. It’s just that’s what Bradley worked on the day he died. I thought maybe there was a connection.”
    “Well, I don’t see how,” Marsha said as she stood up. “I’m sorry but I really have to pick up my kids.
    “Just one more thing. Do you think anyone in the family would kill Roberta over her reluctance to sell the land?”
    “I never thought about it before all this happened. We are a crazy bunch. And money is a big motivator. Not just in my family but with most people. In all honesty, I guess it could be possible. I just