Read Online A Motor for Murder (Veronica Margreve Mysteries Book 1) by Valerie Murmel - Free Book Online Page A

that Stan was a liar, at least in regards to his image (and I was guessing being a murder suspect would be bad for anyone's image – in particular, where an ex-business partner is concerned!). So I thought Stan could be lying about the time he went up to George's office.
     
    Then I wondered whether the “investments” that Stan had mentioned talking about with George were just loan requests. That was worth considering.
     
    However, even if that were so, I still didn't have a motive for him to kill George. Had George refused Stan’s loan requests? And Stan got angry and pushed George? And George lost his balance and fell out of the open window? It was possible, but I was not yet convinced.
     
     
     
     
    “So he admitted to going into the office?”
    “Yes. I'm not sure I believe his reason, though.”
    I called Rita to tell her the results of my talk with Stan, as well as my speculation that it was to borrow money.
    “Do you think the police know?” I wondered.
    “They haven’t mentioned it to me, but then there’s no reason they should – I’m their number-one suspect!” Rita was trying to make a joke about her suspect status, but by her tone I could tell the possibility of another suspect on the horizon cheered her up. “You’re doing such a great job investigating!”
    “How are you feeling today?”
    “Oh, like, you know, I’m drifting. Going to my class today was a good distraction.” Rita volunteered teaching English as a Second Language classes to immigrants and refugees a couple of times a week at the local library – her fluency in Polish, French and Spanish came in handy.
    Recalling Rita’s students reminded me of something else.
    “What about George’s parents, Rita? I read in the paper that they are from around here.”
    “Yes, they are. They came to see me yesterday.”
    “Oh. It must have been hard for you. How was their attitude...” I hesitated.
    “You mean, do they suspect me? I didn’t get that impression.”
    “OK, that’s good, at least. I mean, it’s easier... It must have been hard to be the one breaking the news of their son’s death to them...”
    “It wasn’t me. I believe John called them early Sunday morning and told them. Then Mrs Ellis called me back, with tears and condolences. Come to think of it, there isn’t anyone I had called to tell about George's death.” I could understand that – people important to one's life would learn about it from someone close anyway; and as for acquaintances, and institutions like banks and credit cards – I didn’t imagine that Rita could be up to all that at the moment.
    “They are devastated. They said they intended to find whoever did it, that they’d hire a private investigator.”
    “I guess it makes them feel like they can do something to help.”
    “Yeah...”
    “Speaking of which – have you considered hiring a private investigator to look into this yourself?”
    “I thought about it. But I'm not feeling up to it somehow. Inviting a person I don’t know to rake over all the dirty laundry of my life doesn’t sound enticing at the moment. And if my in-laws are going to hire someone, I'm sure they would pick someone extremely capable.”
    “Private detectives have plenty of tricks of the trade and might be very helpful.”
    “Oh, I’m sure they’d be very competent. I just can’t deal with yet another stranger asking questions. The police are quite enough – but it’s their job. And who would they be investigating – me? The police are doing that already. Wait a minute – you’re not suggesting that because you yourself don’t want to do it any more?”
    “Oh no, nothing like that. I just thought a professional would be much more helpful. And they would be on your side, not like the police.”
    “Well, if I start feeling more heat from all the suspicions and need reinforcements, I’ll think about it more.”
     
    We agreed that I should call Detective Davis and let him know about what I