A Beeline to Murder

“Yes, but multiple people would have touched it—surely the killer, but also the newspaper carrier, and let’s not forget Dora.”


“No, maybe not Dora. Well, yes, she would have touched it, but she almost always wears those ridiculous white gloves from the last century. The news guy’s skin cells certainly would be found. But the killer’s cells are likely there, too, unless he wore gloves,” Abby stated. “As for the newspaper carrier, he is not really a person of interest, because we know from a pastry shop neighbor on the back side of Lemon Lane that a thump was heard around five a.m., possibly the newspaper hitting the sidewalk. We also know from the call the newspaper carrier made to dispatch that his car was nearly hit by Etienne, who ran that stop sign around four thirty a.m. So, although the deliveryman would have touched the twine to tie the bundle, his alibi of running a route is airtight, and he has no motive for murdering the chef.”

“All good points. But what about that Vieillard fellow?” Kat seemed to be anticipating Otto’s skepticism, since Otto was the acting chief now, working directly under Chief Bob Allen’s authority.

“Since you asked, Vieillard is really Jake Lennahan. It is a name that Jean-Louis used as a term of endearment to keep the identity of his secret lover private. You know how Jean-Louis was about giving other people pet names. Jake was older, but only by five years and two days, and he was still in the closet, so to speak.”

“The possibility has crossed my mind that Jake might have framed his wife,” Kat said. “How would you refute that?”

Abby laughed. “He couldn’t have known that his note would fly out of the coffin. A handwriting sample will prove Jake wrote that note. His wife killed his lover. We have to find out who helped her do it.”

“Yeah, so I’ll bring her in for an interview. But before I go, I need to tell you that there’s talk concerning you.”

“What kind of talk?”

“I guess the questions you’ve been asking are beginning to make some low-life types nervous.”

“Yeah? Who?”

“To start with, associates of Dora from the encampment under the creek bridge. Word has got around that you’ve been looking for the murderer among our citizens, and you know how paranoid the winos down there can get. They think one of them will be wrongly fingered for it. Then there’s the buzz at the Black Witch, among the bikers.”

“They got a problem with me trying to figure out what happened to Chef Jean-Louis?”

“It doesn’t take much to get them riled. I’m told Sweeney didn’t like the cold shoulder you gave him the night he was mouthing off in the bar. He told his drinking buddies that if he ever gets you alone, he’s going to teach you a lesson. Plus, you’re a former cop, and you’ve been meddling in his business.”

“What business?”

“Drugs, blackmail, flavor of the month.”

“Well, that just tells me that Etienne is a rat. He’s the only one I’ve asked any questions about drugs. Etienne was the blackmailer. I’m surprised that Sweeney, as homophobic as he is, would have any association with Etienne.”

“Just watch your step. And keep me on speed dial.”

“Sure. And thanks, Kat, for the heads-up.”

Abby looked through the windshield. “Oh, before I go, I think Jean-Louis was drugged. You agree?”

“Well, something kept him from fighting off his killer.”

“We still have the cup from the ivy shelf of the baker’s rack.” Abby straightened in the seat. “Maybe it has a print on it. Or traces of what was in it.”

Kat sighed heavily. “I’ll get with Otto, pressure him to reopen the case and bring in Eva and Jake for questioning. Meanwhile, I’ll get started on that twine and the cup. You’ll need to bring back the evidence boxes.”