Alex Harris 00 - Poisoned

June. And May actually threw me out, she was so mad,” I said with pride.
    “I don’t suppose you’ve had time to talk with anyone else since last I saw you?” John asked with sarcasm. “Which, by the way, was this morning.”
    “I do have a business to run, John, but I did manage to talk with April and Larry. Not what they pretend to be at all,” I said indignantly.
    “Maybe you should just stick to running your business. I hear you do it quite well.”
    “Why, thank you.”
    John shook his head. “So go ahead, tell me. Were they at Trish’s?”
    “Well, no. But they live close. Relatively close. So I stopped off there.”
    “With job applications, I suppose, in case his newest invention doesn’t fly?”
    “Rotate. Actually, I wanted to see one of his inventions. I’m thinking about redoing my closets. I could really use some space in there. And he’s got this nifty little—”
    “Okay, Jessica Fletcher, what did you find out?” John poured some more wine and took a sip, a hint of a smile beginning to tug at the corners of his lips.
    “Nothing really, except April, despite the happy act, doesn’t seem to be all that thrilled to be living with Larry. She feels cheated he’s never amounted to much, at least his inventions haven’t which is probably the same thing.”
    John heaved a heavy sigh and pulled a few pillows off the sofa. “I don’t know. I am baffled, I’ll admit. Unless one of them spills the beans, no pun intended, we may never know which one or ones are guilty. We’ve got officers out looking at all the places where one might be able to find a selection of poisons, and we’re doing background checks on everyone.”
    “Oh! I almost forgot. Kendra stopped by my office tonight. She quit her job and is leaving town. Did you know this?”
    “Well, no. I did not,” John said and suddenly he looked so tired.
    “Aren’t you concerned? She could be a murderer.”
    “Not really. I’ve interviewed her extensively. And also her family and friends and co-workers. She didn’t kill him,” John said nonchalantly. He undid his tie and kicked off his shoes. I started to get up to clean the mess when he reached for me. “Now, come here and I’ll tell you all about my inspiration for that pumpkin over there.”
    Any amorous notions John hoped to pursue were quickly dashed by the ringing of the phone.
    “Hello,” I said into the receiver and passed the phone to John.
    “I’ll be right there.”
    “Who was that?” I asked as I watched my romantic evening fly out the window.
    “The station. They’ve arrested May.”
    Of course I insisted on going with him and to my delight May asked that I sit with her during this ordeal. John argued, but when May refused to talk unless I, a friendly face, as she currently described me, could be present, John relented. Who was I to refuse?
    I reached into my coat pocket and pulled out a small bag of M&Ms. This was going to be better than watching a movie. I started to tear it open when John gave me the evil eye and I discreetly put the bag back in my pocket.
    “Mrs. Estenfelder, please, I must warn you of your rights.” John’s voice sounded strong and authoritative but showed no signs of getting through to the woman.
    “I’m well aware of my rights, young man. I don’t need a lawyer. I did it, but being that no one was hurt, I’ll just be taking my things and leaving.” May started to get up from the hard, wooden chair.
    “It doesn’t work like that, Mrs. Estenfelder. You tried to kill someone. Now sit down.”
    May would not be deterred. “Well, I didn’t, did I? Now, if you’ll just tell me where my purse is, I’ll be on my way.”
    John sighed with exasperation. “Why don’t you take a few minutes to call your lawyer.”
    May, in spite of a show of bravado, began to see the light because just then two policemen walked by the window. In between them was a filthy Neanderthal, handcuffed hands behind him and a sinister leer on his face.
    May took a gulp of air. “Well, if you think it best, Detective Van der Burg, maybe I will just take a moment.”

CHAPTER THIRTY

    “Come in! I finally meet the two people responsible for helping me put that son of mine through college.” Mr Reiser extended his hand to me. “Did he tell you he’s almost done? My wife and I are thrilled. Now we can save up for that trip around the world we’ve always talked about.” Mr. Reiser chuckled. He was tall and good-looking—much like his son,