Read Online Bring Your Own Poison by Jimmie Ruth Evans - Free Book Online

Nell resisted the urge to pinch Elmer Lee. “No, it’s not.”
    Warren raised one eyebrow, and Wanda Nell regretted her sharp tone. Baiting Elmer Lee was one thing, but Bill made her uncomfortable, and she wasn’t sure why. She wasn’t going to rile him if she could help it.
    â€œTell us about this evening,” Warren said, ignoring her tone. “Tell us as much as you can remember, okay?”
    Wanda Nell nodded. She paused for a moment before speaking to organize her thoughts. She started with the moment the bartender and the first guests arrived. She tried to picture it all in her mind as she spoke, and it was only when she reached the point of Travis Blakeley’s collapse that she wavered. Remembering that made her a little bit nauseated. He might have been a terrible man, but watching anyone die was a nasty experience.
    â€œThat’s good,” Warren said. “You’ve given us a very clear picture.”
    â€œYeah,” Elmer Lee said. “Wanda Nell’s usually a good witness.”
    Wanda Nell’s eyes narrowed as Elmer Lee spoke, but she couldn’t detect any irony in his voice.
    His lips twitching slightly, Warren asked, “Did you see anybody put something in the victim’s glass?”
    â€œNo,” Wanda Nell said. “I didn’t. The way they were all talking and laughing and carrying on, I don’t think anybody would have noticed. There was too much going on.”
    When Warren didn’t respond right away, Wanda Nell ventured a question. “Does that mean y’all think he really was poisoned?”
    â€œI’m afraid I can’t answer that,” Warren said. “It’s too early in the investigation for us to come to any conclusions.”
    Wanda Nell thought Elmer Lee muttered something, but she wasn’t sure. Warren’s eyes narrowed, and Wanda Nell felt a sudden chill. He had that dangerous look on his face again, and she didn’t want to do anything to make him angry with her.
    â€œGood evening, gentlemen.”
    Hearing Tuck’s voice, Wanda Nell relaxed. With him here, she felt a lot better. He was more than capable of dealing with Bill Warren.
    Warren and Elmer Lee stood up. Wanda Nell turned in her chair to watch.
    â€œTucker,” Warren said, his voice flat. “I’m afraid you’ve missed the ambulance.”
    Only because she knew him so well did Wanda Nell see Tuck’s reaction to such an obvious insult. Tuck didn’t respond to Warren’s words.
    â€œI’m here to speak to my client,” Tuck said. “Evening, Sheriff Johnson.” He nodded at Elmer Lee.
    â€œEvening, Tucker,” Elmer Lee said. “Who’s your client? Wanda Nell here?”
    Tuck didn’t appear amused at Elmer Lee’s little sally. “I’m here for Gerald Blakeley. I’d like to speak to him. Now.”
    Tuck and Warren stared at each other. The cop was a bit taller and more muscular, but Tuck didn’t appear the least bit intimidated. Wanda Nell was very proud of him.
    â€œWe’re just about to take him down to the jail,” Warren said. “You can talk to him there.” He nodded at Elmer Lee. “Tell your man to take him in.”
    â€œAre you arresting him?” Tuck asked.
    â€œNo, but he’s a material witness,” Warren said. “I’m going to have to question him at length, and I don’t think this is the place to do it.”
    Tuck nodded. “Right. I’ll meet him at the jail then, but I’m going to speak to him first.”
    Warren snorted. “Do you even know who he is? Who called you anyway?”
    Tuck didn’t respond. Instead, he turned and walked right over to Gerald and started talking to him.
    Warren muttered an obscenity, just loud enough for Tuck to hear it. Wanda Nell saw red, and without even thinking about what she was doing, she jumped up from her chair. She drew back her hand and slapped