Read Online Formula for Murder by JUDITH MEHL - Free Book Online

finger.”
    Kat did and watched another trap close.
    “Why does it do that?”
    “The plants eat insects to complement the nitrogen supply they need for growth. Your touching of the hairs gives it the impression an insect has entered and it triggers the trap.”
    “Great hobby. Is it how you work out your aggression? Feeding unsuspecting flies to killer plants?”
    “How unkind! And I was just going to thank you for brightening my day.”
    “No problem, Dennis, but now I have to hit those files.”
    “Well, good luck. Hopefully they haven’t been rearranged too much since Matt left.”
    Kat settled down with the scrapbooks, happy they hadn’t been converted to microfiche. Paging through scrapbooks had a therapeutic effect. Like reminiscing with friends.
    Eventually she found articles on the trashed lab—one-and-a-half-years back. It had certainly caused more devastation than Charlie’s death had, but miraculously, most of the students’ projects had come through unharmed. More than 75 organisms had been spilled in the vandalism. The hazardous material coordinator had been called in, and the state Department of Environmental Protection and the Centers for Disease Control were notified.
    She couldn’t remember any particulars but easily recalled the atmosphere of disgust and distrust that permeated the campus for weeks afterwards. No one could understand who would do something so destructive in that close-knit community.
    Investigating further she discovered the oddity that hadn’t been pursued as far as she could remember. The damaged trashed had a collection of bacterial agents but the refrigerator that had been ransacked housed chemical compounds and components of several experiments. She began to wonder if Abner was right about the enzyme. Had Charlie, or someone, deliberately trashed the area to hide the disappearance of one enzyme? How egotistically destructive could one be?
    Dennis stomped out, cursing royally, even worse than earlier.
    “What is it NOW?”
    “This has to be the absolutely worst day of my life. First my day off ruined and now this! I’m a sports information di rector not a stud for God’s sake!”
    “Clue me in Dennis. What ‘this’ pushed you off the deep end?”
    “The veep just tagged me to attend the development dinner because they’re running short on males. Does that beat all or what?”
    “That’s tonight? Oh my God, I forgot. I hope someone told Nick. She quickly slammed shut all the books left open at nostalgic spots and hurriedly put them in order while she finished talking.
    “I’ve got to run. I’ll commiserate later. Could you round up Nick and fill him in on the male necessities? Have him call me if he has any questions.”
    “Jeesh, I sure love complaining to you. Leaves something to be desired,” Dennis shouted to her fleeing back.

 
    Chapter 8
     
    An ‘i’ dotted above the stem is often found among people who are precise and in control, but when a gun is pointed at you, can you ask the bearer to stop and write a note to see?
“Handwriting Analysis” by P. Scott Hollander
     
    The daintily wrapped shrimp didn’t have a chance as Kat zeroed in with cobra-like efficiency and popped it into her mouth. She wove her way through the crowds, grateful for the escort of the graceful and urbane Nick. Dennis had joined them earlier, choosing a grouping of those you know, rather than those you don’t.
    She sighed, “I guess we should mingle.”
    “If I’ve got to mingle than I’ll do it by the hors d’oeuvres,” Dennis said in an exaggeratedly offended voice. Kat knew that’s where he’d been heading all along. Food was always his priority.
    The donors were there in force, come to celebrate another successful fundraising event. She reveled in the finery, in the black and white and gold of this year’s theme reflected in the rosy glow of countless candelabras. It lifted her spirits.
    Jewels and sequins abounded as participants vied with the decorations for