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Deputy Irwin looked at the remaining guests who were assembled in the parlor, as the waning sunlight shone through the French doors. It would be dark in less than an hour. He looked less befuddled than before and a good deal more irritated. “I must say, Mr. Remington, that until your party the county hadn’t had one murder in more than two years – and that’s only if you believe Mr. Lester’s horse meant to kick him in the head, as some had testified. If you don’t – and I’m on the fence about it, myself – we hadn’t had a murder in nigh on seven years. But now we’ve had two murders at one party. What do you have to say for yourself?”
“I’m not the murderer, if that’s what you’re asking,” said David.
“But from what you told me, no one can account for your whereabouts when Senator Farnsworth was killed. From what I’m hearing no one can account for anyone’s whereabouts, except for Miss Matthews and Mrs. Farnsworth, who say they were together, but Mrs. Farnsworth could just be saying that so she doesn’t anger the escapee from the loony bin.”
“Once again,” said Josie. “I didn’t escape. I checked myself out. And Mr. Remington, Agent Barker and Mr. Corrigan were right ahead of us.”
“But no one saw them. As for the rest of you, it appears Mr. Henry had taken a break from playing the piano, Mr. Franklin was answering the call of nature, Miss Lucy was in the ice house, Mr. Tanner was working on a press statement in his room, Miss Barnes was powdering her nose and Miss Andrews was going over the next day’s menus in her room. Honest to Pete, this sounds like the most boring party I ever heard of, other than the two murders which occurred. By the way, is that alcohol?” he asked, pointing to several bottles of Canadian Club gin on the bar.
“Yes,” said David. “Would you like some?”
It was clear that Deputy Irwin was very tempted. He eyed Agent Barker. “Is this a trick question?”
“No,” said Barker. “I’m not going to arrest you for drinking.”
“Then, yes,” said Deputy Irwin. “I wouldn’t mind having a glass of gin.”
“You can’t drink and question people at the same time!” said Barker.
“I’ll have a few bottles waiting for you Irwin,” said David.
Irwin nodded. “Now, with the exception of Mrs. Farnsworth and Miss Matthews, none of the rest of you have alibis. I don’t suppose anyone would like to confess.” He looked at everyone hopefully. No one did anything except for Agent Barker, who groaned. “Mrs. Farnsworth, why was your husband in the woods?”
“Don’t you think this interrogation would be better done in private?” asked Agent Barker.
“No, sir,” said Deputy Irwin. “This is my investigation and it’s high time I went about it in my own way. Mrs. Farnsworth, why was your husband in the woods?”
“He said he was going to meet the murderer.” That was met with stunned cries from the others. “And, no, he didn’t tell me who it was. He didn’t even tell me if it was a man or a woman. All he said was that he’d seen the murderer leave Madame Racine’s room on the night she died and that he’d left a note asking for a meeting.”
“He should have told me,” said Deputy Irwin. “I’m the one in charge.”
“Well, I can kind of understand why he wouldn’t tell you, Deputy Irwin – no offense,” said Lawrence, who looked like he was mentally taking notes for his next play. “But why wouldn’t he tell Agent Barker?”
“Maybe there was a reason not to tell Agent Barker,” said Deputy Irwin. “Perhaps he’s the killer.” He put his hand on his holster, only to find he’d forgotten his gun.
“I’m not the murderer,” said Barker.
“Are you asking us to take your word for that?” asked Constance.
“Yeah, I am,” said Barker, getting angry.
David put his hand on his friend’s arm to calm him, then turned to Constance. “It’s not Grant.”
“I think it makes sense what Senator Farnsworth did,” said Kurt. “In ‘Murder in Constantinople’ I confronted the murderer with nothing but a banana and a loincloth and forced him to confess.”
“I loved that picture!” said Lucy. “But I couldn’t figure out why you was wearing a loincloth.”
“Would he need a reason to wear a loincloth?” asked Dora.
“Quiet!” said Deputy Irwin. “Mrs. Farnsworth, did you ask your husband why he was confronting the murderer?”
Lydia sighed. “He wanted to make a deal with him or her. He was willing to collect blackmail material on others if it meant the murderer would leave him alone. I told him it was a terrible plan, but he wouldn’t listen.”
“Did he give you that shiner?” asked Deputy Irwin.
Lydia turned away but didn’t answer.
Dora dropped her drink, taking the attention away from Lydia. “We also have to wonder if the killer is done or if he has someone else on his list.”
Everyone was silent for a moment, thinking of the possibilities.
Deputy Irwin cleared his throat. “All right, after listening to everyone’s theories, I have another question. Would anyone like to confess now?”
* * *
“What are you doing out here in the open?” Grant asked Lydia as he found her on the front lawn near the woods. It was fully dark now and the morgue had just taken away Senator Farnsworth’s body.
She half-smiled at him. “I needed some air.”
“How long has he been hitting you?” asked Grant quietly.
She didn’t answer for a moment, looking out toward the woods. Finally, she said, “On and off from the very beginning.”
Grant paled. “You should have told me.”
She looked at him. “And what could you have done? Most people still look at it as a man’s right to keep his wife in line.”
“I would have dealt with him.”
“And risked your career? I couldn’t have allowed that.”
“I would have taken you somewhere safe.”
“When a man is as rich and powerful as Matt, nowhere is safe.”
“I’m glad he’s dead,” said Grant, grimly.
Lydia smiled sadly. “I wouldn’t go so far as to say that, but I’m glad this won’t be my life anymore.”
Grant struggled with what he was about to say for a moment, reaching out his hand, then pulling it back to his side. “Lydia, I know this isn’t the time. But if you need anything – anything at all – just let me know.”
She touched her hand to his cheek just briefly, though it was long enough for him to lean into it. “I need you to not get killed. Can you do that for me? Can you please come through this alive and healthy? Because I can’t bear to think of a future without you somewhere.”
“I hope I’ll be closer than that,” said Grant.
“I hope so, too.”
* * *
Josie watched Lydia Farnsworth and Grant Barker from the porch. It was obvious the two of them cared a great deal for each other. She hoped they’d find a way to be together when the dust had settled on the investigation. Despite her own divorce, she was a firm believer in happily ever after.
“They were always meant for each other,” said David, as he joined Josie at the balcony rail. “I hope they can find a way to be together now.”
“Me, too.” She liked how much David cared for his friends. It said a great deal about him and made it almost impossible to believe that he would kill Mikey Corrigan.
“What will you do if you can’t go home?”
“I’m not sure. I have no money, no home and the only people I know are at this party and one of them is a murderer. That doesn’t exactly bode well for my future here.”
“You could stay here at the house,” he said, looking out to where Agent Barker and Lydia were still talking.
Josie wasn’t sure if he was offering her a job as the mansion caretaker or something else. “Are you staying at the house?”
“I’m not sure what I’m going to do. I need to head back to New York to attend to a few business affairs. I’m leaving Wall Street and want to settle up with my partners.”
“What will you do after that?”
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s time to slow down.” He looked at her. “Perhaps, I could settle here in McConnell. Provided I’m not convicted of murder, of course.”
Could Josie be happy with the right man in the wrong time? Was David Remington even the right man? He certainly seemed like it. Before she could say anything, Constance came out of the house.
“There you are, David,” she said, as she came to his side. “Your guests need their host. This second murder seems to have really put a damper on the party. Hello, Josephine. Enjoying the night?” She put her arm through David’s and pulled him inside.
Josie had been enjoying the night. Now she was left with a great deal to think about.