Read Online Murder of the Bride by C. S. Challinor - Free Book Online Page A

Carter convened the guests, caterers, and staff in the great hall. Mrs. Thorpe led Timmy to a sofa, while Clive wrapped his arms protectively around Jasmina. Dudley had removed his jacket and stood posturing, tie loosened and brawny arms folded across his gray satin waistcoat. The DJ, clearly confused by the turn of events, turned down his music even lower.
    Carter proceeded to tell everyone that the police had been notified of the outbreak and warned them against consuming anything except for sealed containers of drink. No one was to be unduly alarmed, he assured his listeners. The symptoms of the three victims who had succumbed to food poisoning were undoubtedly treatable. He trailed off by saying he hoped there would be no further occurrences.
    â€œSo the cops are coming to investigate food poisoning?” Reggie asked. “Someone said something about arsenic.”
    â€œArsenic is naturally occurring in shellfish,” Rex interjected truthfully but disingenuously before anyone could react. He did not add that arsenic in its organic form would likely not occur in dangerous doses at one sitting. “But whatever it was, the symptoms are severe. It might behoove us in the meantime to see if we can isolate the source of contamination. I, for instance, had a second helping of prawns without any ill effects—so far.”
    Most of the fourteen guests in the hall had partaken of the prawns, it transpired. All had eaten the roast beef with the exception of Jeremy, who was a vegetarian. Everyone present, between them, had eaten everything. An informal survey conducted on the drinks resulted in the same findings. No one acted guilty to Rex’s alert eye, although many of those present appeared understandably nervous. Few at most could have imagined that the wedding reception would end in disaster.
    â€œPolly mentioned something about potions when she was being wheeled out to the ambulance,” Reggie recalled. “She drank champagne.”
    â€œRespectful of her condition, Polly drank only a small amount of champagne,” Rex elaborated. This had been served to the guests upon arrival, randomly. The bottles served at the toasting had been popped open in front of everyone, which precluded anyone from spiking them. “It appears everyone had champagne,” he concluded. “Does anybody have any other ideas?”
    â€œCould Victoria, Polly, and the vicar have consumed anything different?” Tom Willington, Timmy’s boss at the accounting firm, asked Stella Pembleton. A tall, handsome man in his mid forties with silver-threaded sideburns, he was dressed in an impeccable pinstripe suit that could have been tailor made for his athletic physique.
    The caterer shook her head resolutely, setting in motion her short gray frizz. “Not unless Mrs. Newcombe offered them something from the family kitchen in the other wing. And I don’t know why she would. Everyone started with a glass of champagne and cheese hors-d’oeuvres. Then it was on to the buffet and cake.”
    The cake, Rex mused. Victoria, Polly, and the vicar had eaten the cake, as had Timmy, who was also taken ill. “Who had cake from the top tier?” he asked.
    Mrs. Thorpe raised her hand. “I did,” she said, clasping at the fake pearls at her throat.
    â€œIf you are feeling okay, don’t worry unduly.”
    â€œI have been feeling a bit wobbly, but my first concern was for Timmy. We’re both fine now.”
    â€œDudley, did you have cake?” Rex asked.
    â€œNot me.”
    â€œMr. Carter?”
    â€œI didn’t touch it, as it so happens. Are you suggesting …?”
    Rex pensively raised a finger, forestalling the question while he pursued his train of thought. “And Aunt Gwen said something about having sworn off sweets in anticipation of her fiftieth birthday. Who else was served from the top tier?” he asked the guests.
    No hands went up. Amber, the maid of honor,