Twelve Angry Librarians

That led to another thought. Was she murdered because she was a partner in the scheme? Or did she know just enough to spook the killer into taking her out as a precautionary move?

Then a truly terrifying thought struck me. How much cyanide—or whatever poison was used—did the killer still have? I hadn’t considered this. I was sure Kanesha had considered it, though.

Maybe the killer had finished, once both Gavin and Maxine were dead. I could only pray that this was so and that more deaths wouldn’t follow. Talk about a nightmare scenario. My lunch suddenly soured in my stomach. I put down the last bit of cheeseburger and pushed my plate aside.

My expression must have alerted Randi that something was wrong. “Are you okay, Charlie? You look a little green. Is it heartburn?” She grabbed her purse and started rummaging through it. “I have some antacids in here somewhere.”

“No, not heartburn. I suddenly felt full, that’s all.” I gave what I hoped was a convincing smile. “I’m trying to be more careful about how much I eat.” I certainly couldn’t tell them the truth about what I was thinking. I didn’t want to terrify them and start a panic.

Randi eyed me as if she didn’t believe me, but she set her purse back down and resumed eating. Marisue didn’t appear to be all that concerned, and that was okay.

“Would you be offended if I pulled out my cell phone and sent a text?” I asked. “Ordinarily I try not to do things like that during meals, but I thought I would go ahead and let Deputy Berry know I need to talk to her.”

“You truly are a Southern gentleman.” Marisue smiled, and Randi nodded. “Hardly anyone bothers to ask these days. I don’t mind. Do you?” She glanced at Randi.

“No, certainly not,” Randi said. “Not after Charlie asked so nicely.”

“Thank you for the compliment,” I said, “and the permission. I won’t take long.”

My message to Kanesha was simple. Have potentially useful information. When can we talk?

I set the phone on the table. I had no idea how long it might be before Kanesha responded. She had to be under tremendous pressure to find the killer, and she might not be in the mood to talk to me. Although, to be fair to myself, I didn’t think I’d ever wasted her time when I had what I considered pertinent information to share.

The server arrived to hand us dessert menus and to clear away our plates and used utensils. I put my menu aside immediately, tempted though I was. Marisue and Randi, however, did not demur. The server returned to take their dessert orders, and I listened with envy as they each ordered the double-chocolate brownie, served hot with a scoop of cinnamon vanilla ice cream. I felt my resistance weakening as the server glanced at me.

“Okay, I know I’ll regret this later, but I’ll have one as well.” So much for my willpower. I handed the server my menu, and he departed. I grinned at Randi and Marisue. “It’s all your fault, naturally. I ordered dessert just to be sociable.”

Marisue laughed. “Think of it as a party, and you have to have something sweet and chocolaty at a party.”

Randi nodded. “Of course you do.”

The word party reminded me about the party Marisue and Randi had attended in Gavin’s suite the night before he died. I was still curious why they hadn’t mentioned it to me at dinner last night. I decided to ask them point-blank.

“Speaking of parties,” I said. “How come you didn’t mention Gavin’s party to me last night? I heard you both were there.”

They both tensed for a brief moment, then relaxed. Marisue shrugged. “It wasn’t that big a deal, frankly. We only put in an appearance to be polite.”

Randi wouldn’t meet my gaze when I turned to her. I looked back at Marisue.

“Why would you even bother to show up? I thought you both loathed Gavin so much you wouldn’t want to be in the same room with him.”

“Free liquor, what else?” Marisue said. “What the hell difference does it make to you, Charlie, whether we attended that lame party? You know librarians rarely turn down the chance of free food and alcohol.”

Stung by her tone, I waited a moment before I replied to make sure I didn’t snap back at her. “Because I’m pretty sure whoever killed Gavin and Maxine Muller was at that party. Either of you could have seen something without realizing it that could help Deputy Berry solve the murders.”

“I doubt it.” Marisue shrugged. “I told you we weren’t there long.”

Randi shot her a quick glance, then focused again on her lap, from what I could see.

I didn’t know why, but I had the strongest feeling that Marisue was lying to me. Why? What was she trying to hide?

TWENTY-TWO