Read Online Murder in the Library by Steve Demaree - Free Book Online Page B

received a death threat.”
    Martha gasped.
    “A death threat. And he
didn’t tell me.”
    “Whoever threatened the
Colonel’s life was someone who has access to this house. Who has keys to the
house?”
    “But it couldn’t be
anyone with a key. Only those of us who live here have keys. There must be
another explanation.”
    “First of all, remember
that we’re working on the assumption that the Colonel was murdered. We don’t
know that yet. There were no marks on his body, at least none that we saw.  We
just know that someone threatened his life, so we are proceeding in this
manner. Of course there could be another explanation. Do you ever leave a door
unlocked?”
    “No. At least not on
purpose.”
    “What about leaving a
key for a workman?”
    “No, one of us was
always here if someone was expected.”
    “Do you or your
granddaughters ever leave your purses on the table by the front door, or does
anyone ever leave a key there?”
    “My granddaughters. I’d
forgotten all about them. What will they think when they get home?”
    “Someone will stay with
them. They’ll be okay. Now, answer my question.”
    “I forgot what it was.”
    “Is there ever a purse
or a key on the table by the front door?”
    “Oh, uh, no. Not that I
can remember. Oh, Cy, there has to be some other explanation.”
    “Let me level with you,
Martha. Because Lou and I were special friends of the Colonel, I don’t know if
we will be allowed to pursue the case or not, but if so, we’ll have to ask each
of you some tough questions. Remember, there’s nothing personal. We’re just
doing our job the best we can.”
    “I understand.”
    “Okay, where were you
today?”
    “I went shopping at the
mall.”
    “Did anyone go with you,
or did you see anyone you know while you were there?”
    “Oh, I can’t remember if
I saw anyone or not. I’m so confused now. But I can tell you that I went
alone.”
    “And what time did you
leave, and when did you return?”
    “At Buck’s request, I
left shortly after I talked to you, so I got to the mall shortly after it
opened, at 10:00. I shopped, ate lunch there, shopped some more, and got home a
little after 3:00. Buck was out this morning. Do you think someone accosted him
when he got home, followed him into the house?  That would allow for someone
getting into the house without a key.”
    “I doubt it. If so, that
someone will show up on the camera following the Colonel into the library.
We'll find that out in time. In the meantime, tell me about when you got home.”
    “As I pulled in the
drive, I saw Joe walking away from the house.”
    “Any way of knowing if
he had been inside the house?”
    “Oh, Joe wouldn’t do
anything. He’s Buck’s best friend.”
    “So, what you’re telling
me is that you can’t say if Joe had been in the house, and more than likely, he
can’t say if you returned from the mall early.”
    “You don’t think I
killed him?”
    “No, I don’t, but all
possibilities have to be pursued, at least until we get a lead. Now, why don’t
we go back and join the others. Don’t say anything about what we talked about,
and we may have to talk to you some more later.”
    We returned to the living
room and experienced a double reunion of sorts. All of the house’s occupants
had returned, and the Chief was waiting for Lou and me. Seldom has the Chief
graced the scene of a murder investigation, and I thought I knew why he had
chosen to do so this time.
    In a matter of seconds,
Lou and I had returned to the room we’d just left, this time with the Chief in
tow.
    “How’s it going so far?”
    “We’re just getting
started, Chief, but as you can see, everyone is already hard at work.”
    “Yes, I’m impressed. I
think you know why I’m here. I know the deceased was a friend of yours. Frank
just told me he thinks it was murder, so now I want to know if you think you
can handle this like any other case, or do you want me to call in someone from
the