Alex Harris 00 - Poisoned

demonstrated their newest invention. I looked on as gears moved and a tiny motor whirred all the while moving pre-selected clothing into the front.
    “Well, it sure seems impressive. How long did it take you to develop it?”
    Larry, who had been left in the background, said, “About five years.”
    I gulped. “Five years. Well, I’m going to give it some thought and take some measurements.”
    “Oh, don’t worry about that, Alex. We can custom fit it for wherever you want. Why don’t you come into the living room and we can have something to drink, and I’ll get out a bit of literature I’ve typed up with prices and all the information you’ll need.”
    I looked over the price sheet for something I knew I would never want while April ran into the kitchen for tea. Larry sat on a rather worn sofa across from me saying nothing. I figured I better get off the subject of the closet before someone handed me a pen and asked me to sign on the dotted line.
    “I feel so bad we met under such sad circumstances. I didn’t get to ask you anything about Bradley the other day. Were you close?”
    Larry looked up. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did you say something?”
    “Well, yes. I wondered what kind of relationship you had with Bradley.”
    “Not much. I didn’t see him often. Our families are divided over this land business, but he was a good person. Always very pleasant and easygoing. He played with my children a lot, though he’s a bit older.”
    “Are you talking about Bradley?” April asked, walking into the room carrying two cups. “Here you are, Alex. He was just the sweetest little thing. Never gave his parents one minute of worry. I have two of my own and these things are important. Such a terrible thing for all of them to have to go through.” She shook her head and sloshed a bit of tea into the saucer.
    “I don’t know what the police have come up with, but from what everyone tells me, I can’t understand why anyone would want to kill Bradley,” I said while taking in a bit of the surroundings. Not as lavish as Steven’s to be sure, but the house, though somewhat small, seemed of good quality. The furnishings looked worn and the carpet needed replacing but I spied another pool outside and a rather large yard. I stretched my neck trying to see a rose garden but couldn’t see much from where I sat.
    “Well, the killer wasn’t after Bradley from what my mother-in-law says. He wanted Roberta.”
    “Why would anyone want to kill Roberta?” I asked April.
    “Over the land, of course.”
    “Let me get this straight.” I put the teacup down on a maple coffee table. “If you’re saying someone wanted to kill Mrs. Brissart over the land, then that someone must be a member of the family.”
    “Well, yes, I guess you’re right.” April glanced at Larry but whether it was for confirmation or something else, I couldn’t tell. “Oh, my, I never really thought of it that way before. But, well, we sure could all use the money, and money is a big motivator.”
    “April, what the hell are you saying, for Christ’s sake? You’re accusing one of us of killing Bradley,” Larry yelled from across the room.
    Well, my goodness, he did have a bit of spunk after all.
    “Well, it would have to be, wouldn’t it, Larry?” April’s voice raised and the sweet, almost innocent look she usually possessed took a hike.
    I sat back, a bit uneasy at being witness to an obviously personal moment, but nevertheless hopeful that I might be able to get a good glimpse of the couple with their guard down.
    “Which somebody do you think did it? My mother. Or Aunt June,” demanded an irate Larry Estenfelder.
    April didn’t seem the least bit put out by Larry’s anger and I thought perhaps the two fought like this all the time.
    “Well, of course not. But Larry, you have to admit your mother and June were bound and determined to get that land no matter what. How about Steven? Now there’s a good suspect what with his lifestyle. And what about Stuart? With his gambling, I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if he needed a few more dollars. Maybe he even has loan sharks after him. And if I remember correctly, didn’t June say something about killing Roberta if she didn’t sell?”
    Larry stood up and came over to where April sat. “It was just a figure of speech, April. It could have been J.T. Yeah, J.T. Why not? He has as much to gain as anyone. Maybe more.”
    A piece of spittle flew from Larry’s mouth and landed in my