Read Online Death By Bourbon by Abigail Keam - Free Book Online Page A

“Okay. Information for information,
     but only if someone volunteers something – like at a dinner party. I don’t want you
     to go around asking people questions, getting them all riled up.”
    “I will be a beacon of discretion. You just keep me informed about O’nan.” I held
     out my pinky finger. “Pinky swear.” Wiggling my finger, I demanded, “Pinky swear!”
    The Detective looked around to see if anyone was watching and then wrapped his pinky
     with mine. We shook.
    “By the way, who is the crying Madonna over there?”
    “She says she was DeWitt’s girlfriend and he was going to leave Mrs. DeWitt. Her name
     is Lacey Bridges.”
    “That’s a motive for murder,” I cautioned.
    “Not if you read the prenup,” replied Goetz. “DeWitt had no money. If he had left
     his wife for another woman, he would have walked out with just the clothes on his
     back.”
    “Maybe Doreen really loved him.”
    Goetz smiled. “Come on. Really? Always the romantic. That’s what I like about you,
     Josiah. In many ways, you’re an innocent. True love? What bull.”
    “So if he walked, Doreen would not have to give him any money,” I said thoughtfully.
     “Maybe I’m right. She loved him and killed him in a fit of jealousy.”
    Goetz shook his head. “DeWitt bought two tickets to Venice for the following week.”
    “See there. He was running away with his girlfriend.”
    “Nope. He was taking Mrs. DeWitt on a second honeymoon. Made a big deal of it at the
     old lady’s party. He wasn’t about to leave his cozy nest.”
    “Maybe that was a cover for what he was really going to do, which was leave Doreen?”
    “Doesn’t fit. He initiated buying the airplane tickets. He was trying to keep his
     wife happy.”
    “So what are you going to do?”
    “This is the last of the man-hours I can spare on this case. If something concrete
     doesn’t show up soon, the case is going to be closed as death due to heart failure.
     There is no evidence to the contrary.”
    “I see.”
    “What?”
    “I understand . . . it is just that the room felt so creepy. I can’t explain it but
     something besides a simple heart attack was occurring. I understand, though, why you
     might need to move on.”
    “Right. I can’t use a ‘creepy feeling’ as evidence to continue a case.” With that
     last word, Goetz rose and went outside.
    I wanted to ask Goetz another question. Why were the police called? When there is
     a medical emergency, 911 is called for an ambulance. The police don’t show up unless
     there is foul play suspected and it’s usually the paramedics who call it in. But the
     paramedics and Officer Kelly arrived about the same time – so who called the police
     . . . and better yet – why? I made a mental note to find out.
    Without me realizing it, the memorial service had ended and people were starting to
     rise and meander down the aisle. The priest announced the church had prepared food
     and drink for the bereaved.
    Things were looking up.
    I waited for everyone to pass. Matt stopped by and asked if he could wheel me but
     I shook my head. It was easier for me to wait until after everyone else was settled.
     I didn’t like getting in the ambulatory folks’ way. It was rude.
    Waiting at least ten minutes, I started for the food when I heard, “Excuse me. Can
     I talk to you?”
    I looked up and saw the young mourner for Addison. She was looking bright-eyed and
     hopeful. “My name is Lacey Bridges. Please, I need to talk with you, Mrs. Reynolds.”
    “How do you know who I am?”
    She gave a knowing look. “Oh come on. Everyone knows who you are.”
    “Really?”
    “I don’t mean to be impertinent, but I need to talk with you.”
    “About what?”
    “The police won’t listen. At least they won’t listen to me.” Lacey pulled a chair
     over so she was on eye level with me. “I know Doreen killed Addison. I just don’t
     know how.”
    “Do you know why?”
    Her young pretty face glowed with