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“And I’m glad for that, Jason,” said Omar. “But I see now that in setting up Soul Science I’ve created a monster. So I’m hereby officially disbanding the organization, and announcing that Soul Science is no more.”

His surprise announcement was met with gasps of shock.

“Jaqlyn’s death has made me think, and this is what I’ve come up with. People are always looking for a leader to follow, and I admit I was honored and touched when they decided to follow me. Me, a former investment banker! Anyway, I think it’s time to stop this nonsense. Which brings me to my second point.” He glanced around the room, his eyes darting from face to face. “Someone killed Jaqlyn, and his killer is in our midst.”

“But I thought Tex Poole killed Jaqlyn?” asked Barney, clearly much surprised. “Using an aluminum baseball bat or billy club? Or it could have been a nice steel hammer…”

“Tex is innocent,” said Omar. “I have it on good authority that the person who is really responsible tried to make it look as if Tex killed Jaqlyn, and they did a pretty good job.”

“What are you saying?” asked Charlene. “That you know who really killed Jaqlyn?”

“Yes,” said Omar. “I know who killed Jaqlyn.”

This time there was a stunned silence, as people stared at the former guru.

“But I think it’s important that the person who did it comes forward and tells you himself what happened.” Omar directed a knowing look at one of those present and said, in a kindly tone, “So how about it? Are you going to tell them or do you want me to do it?”

Chapter 36

“What’s going on, Max?” asked Dooley.

“I think Omar has just revealed who Jaqlyn’s killer is,” I said.

“But… isn’t Odelia supposed to do that? She’s the detective, isn’t she?”

“Well, it looks like things have taken a slightly different turn this time,” I said.

“Twists and turns,” Kingman whispered. “All of the books Wilbur likes to read got them. He says he can’t read a book that isn’t filled to the rim with twists and turns.”

Well, this was a twist, all right. One of those things you don’t see coming until they hit you in the snoot. Or the patootie.

Jason Blowhard, for it was he who’d been singled out by Omar, opened and closed his mouth a couple of times. It was obvious he hadn’t seen this one coming either. He glanced longingly to the door, but the two sturdily-built bodyguards standing sentry quickly made him see that there was no escape possible.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said now, in an unconvincing attempt at bluster. “He’s gone mad,” he declared to the others present. “The man has gone completely screwy! That’s what happens when you go around declaring that you’re some kind of god in human shape. Itstarts to mess up your brain.”

“I never said I was a god in human shape,” said Omar, leaning back. “All I ever wanted was to talk about the soul, and you guys started assuming stuff. Calling me a god and saying that Soul Science was a new religion and yadda yadda yadda. You did that.”

“Did you kill Jaqlyn, Jason?” asked Uncle Alec, assuming his role as chief of police.

“No, sir,” said Jason, shaking his head decidedly. “No, sir, I did not. Tex Poole did.”

“Oh, nonsense,” said Gran. “Tex wouldn’t hurt a fly. When I told him the other day to rid my roses of greenfly he told me the poor creatures had a right to live as much as the next garden pest. The man is a softie. And I should know. He married my daughter twenty-five years ago and I’ve come to love him like a son ever since. And if any of you dare tell him that I’ll hunt you all down and kill you like the rats you are,” she warned.

“I thought you killed Jaqlyn,” said Chase, gesturing to Jenny’s dad. “For almost killing your daughter.”

“I did have a word with the guy,” Jenny’s dad acknowledged, “and I admit I had to restrain myself from landing a punch in his no-good incompetent face, but in the end I couldn’t do it. My little girl wouldn’t have liked her dad to get into trouble like that.”

“But you did give him a piece of your mind, didn’t you, Dad?” said Jenny proudly.

“Oh, you bet I did,” said Nick Parker. “He paled beneath his tan, the horrible ass.”

If Francine Jones was hurt by these epithets being hurled at her dead husband, she didn’t show it. Instead, she said, “I could have killed him myself, but I didn’t. I thought about it for a moment, but I figured he wasn’t worth going to prison for.”

“I’m sorry I did that to you, Francine,” said Monica, seated next to her, and held out her hand. After a moment’s hesitation, Francine took it.

“And I’m sorry I scratched you,” she said.

“I deserved it,” said Monica. “I was a fool, falling for the guy, but it took me until now to realize it.”

“And I was a fool to stay married to him for all these years, even after he gambled away my inheritance, and cheated on me practically the entire time we were married.”

“He was scum,” said her brother Kenny. “Well, he was, sis,” he said emphatically when she gave him a look. “The world is better off without him.You’re better off without him.”