Alex Harris 00 - Poisoned

that may ease your mind. The body of a man named Paul Jackson was found in the woods outside of town. The authorities found some money on him and an old watch that I kept at the office. I believe, as do they, that this is the man responsible for Raymond’s death. I can only conclude that he associated himself with people no better than he and that justice has been served.
    I remain ,”
    “Blah, blah blah. What a wonderful guy this Lucien was.”
    “Chantal, he must have killed Paul Jackson. It’s too much of a coincidence that this man turns up dead shortly after the murder of Raymond. And that would explain why the letter to him from Lucien was back in Lucien’s possession.”
    “What a scumbag.” Chantal never minced words.
    “What about those other papers, Chantal? Let’s have a look.”
    “This one looks like it’s some sort of land deed. You know, I think it’s for land in Farmington. I wonder if it’s the land where Mrs. Brissart has her house?”
    “And the other, what’s that?”
    “It’s a letter to the bank signed by Madame Thiry, and it’s in English. It basically says that she is turning over the property owned by Raymond to Lucien in payment for a personal loan that Lucien made to Raymond at one time.”
    “I didn’t think Raymond owned anything. That’s what it says in this letter that Lucien wrote to Emilie,” I said full of genuine puzzlement. “It’s in English, you say?”
    Chantal nodded. “That’s right.”
    “Lucien said he would handle everything because poor Emilie didn’t speak English. No doubt she couldn’t read it either. I bet the poor woman didn’t even know that Raymond owned some land. Supporting her for a while was the least he could do after he swindled her out of that land. And I’ll bet my share of Always Prepared that that land is the piece owned by Mrs. Brissart, May and June. Mrs. Brissart said something about it having ore deposits. What’s your bet that old Lucien wanted it and didn’t want to share the profits with Raymond?”
    “Okay, but why not just buy it from him outright?” Chantal asked. “He could certainly afford it.”
    “Maybe Raymond wouldn’t sell. We know from the history that Lucien was ruthless and greedy. His own cousin said it in the first letter you read. And who knows what else the two men were arguing over. They had been partners for quite some time, and I can tell you, I love my sister, but we don’t always see eye to eye on how the business should progress.”
    “Yes, but you wouldn’t kill her?”
    I gave it a thought then waved my hand. “No. Of course not. But there are many people who do that all the time.”
    “So what now?”
    “Now we call John and tell him we know why Bradley was killed. Someone did not want it known that that piece of land Mr. Smit wants so badly was not theirs to sell.”
    “You mean May and June?” Chantal asked, already knowing the answer.
    “Yes. I think the jequirity bean was just to throw the police off their scent. They probably put it in the Cherry Heering as a red herring. I’m sure they figured once May confessed to that and really laid on the I’m-sorry-I-never-meant-to-kill-her routine, that all eyes would be cast in a different direction. Oh!”
    “What?” Chantal asked.
    “I almost forgot. Remember after May was arrested, we were all here and John came by?”
    “Yes. What about it?”
    “Mrs. Brissart said she had talked with May on the phone Saturday morning.” Chantal gave me a so-what look. “Mrs. Brissart told May that she planned to go to the grocery to get the ingredients for the macaroons. May knew.”
    “And what May knows, June knows as well,” Chantal smiled.
    “Let’s not forget that they knew about Bradley doing the history,” I added. “And maybe May and June knew a bit more of what he might find out than Mrs. Brissart did.” I took a breath and checked my watch. “He must be back at the station by now.” I pulled out my cell and punched in John’s direct line at the station and got his voice mail. I could call his cell but when I started dating him, I told myself I would not bother him while he was on the job. Of course, this was different. I punched in his cell and it went directly to voice mail as well. I thought for a moment. “How about Detective Maroni?”
    “No, I’m sorry. He’s not available either. He got called out on something this afternoon and hasn’t returned,” the dispatcher told me.
    I told the woman on the other