Arsenic And Old Books

I hated to think of our mayor as a murderer, but this wouldn’t be the first time a politician had gone off the rails and done something criminal and downright stupid. Was it truly that important to the Longs and their identity as a respected family to get Beck Long elected to office, no matter the cost?

Time to call Kanesha back, I decided. I had done everything I could, and it was her job now to sort through it all and make a case against the killer.

She answered right away.

“I’ve finished reading the pages,” I said. “Have you had a chance to look at them yet?”

“No,” Kanesha said. “I’ve been following up a promising lead on the car that struck down Dr. Steverton. What have you got for me?”

“The fact that Andrew Long—Rachel’s husband—wasn’t the war hero everyone thought he was,” I said. “He deserted at the Battle of Gettysburg and came home. He committed suicide, and Rachel covered it up. Everywhere except in her diary, that is.”

“I wonder why she didn’t destroy her diaries at some point,” Kanesha said. “Surely she wouldn’t want to risk having someone read them after she died.”

“Good question,” I said. I should have thought of that myself, but I was too caught up in the tragedy to consider it. “Perhaps she meant to and put them away and then forgot about them.”

“Possible, I suppose,” Kanesha said.

“Are you ready to make an arrest?” I asked.

“Not until I get the details on the car,” she replied. “Then I’ll move forward.”

“Do you know who the killer is?” I asked. I didn’t figure she’d tell me, but I decided to ask anyway.

She surprised me. “No, not yet. I’m still trying to sort out a few details, but what you’ve told me about Rachel Long’s husband helps.”

That was the most I’d get from her at this point. “I see. I don’t have the mental energy to read any more of Rachel’s diary today. Besides, I think we’ve found the part that’s pertinent to this case.”

“I agree,” Kanesha said. “Why don’t you go home and relax? I appreciate all you’ve done so far, but I think it’s time for you to bow out.”

“Gladly,” I said. “But my curiosity is going to be rampant until I found out whom you’ve arrested.”

That got me a rare chuckle. “I’ll keep that in mind.” She ended the call.

“Okay, boy,” I said to Diesel. “Let’s go home. I’ve had enough of this office for today.” I restored the one diary volume to its new archival box, then transferred all three to the storage room where they would be safe until I was ready to go back to reading.

A few minutes later we stopped downstairs to say good-bye to Melba. I was happy to see she was on the phone, because that meant Diesel and I could get away without an extended conversation. I waved, and she waved back. Then Diesel and I made for the front door.

The afternoon heat made me uncomfortable, and I was thankful that the walk home was a short one. I knew Diesel would be ready to get back inside with air-conditioning, too. We had gone only two blocks, however, when a car pulled up to the sidewalk a few feet ahead of us. Mrs. Long stepped out of the car on the driver’s side.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Harris,” she said. “I was on my way to see you. Could we go back to your office and talk?” She was already getting back in the car before I had a chance to respond.

“I guess so,” I called after the car as it headed up the street to the library. I did not want to have to talk to her right now, but I really had no choice.

I pulled out my cell phone, though, and speed-dialed Kanesha. The call went straight to voice mail, and I wanted to shout in frustration. Instead I left a terse message. “The mayor is here to talk to me. Please get to my office as soon as possible.”

I ended the call and stuck the phone back in my pocket. “Come on, boy,” I said to Diesel. I knew that my turning around and going back toward the office confused him. “Let’s get this over with.”

I hoped like anything I could get away from the mayor without giving away what I knew about the forged diary and the family secret. I also hoped Kanesha would arrive quickly, or at least send one of her deputies. I no longer trusted the mayor, and I didn’t want to be alone with her.

I walked at a slow pace back to the building. For one thing, it was blasted hot outside, and I didn’t feel like hurrying. I also wanted to delay this meeting as much as I could.

Mrs. Long frowned when Diesel and I met her at the head of the stairs near my office. “I began to think you ignored me and walked home, Mr. Harris.”

I flashed her a smile. “Oh, no, it’s so hot outside I had to take it slow so Diesel didn’t get overheated.” As if on cue, the cat meowed. “With all his hair this weather can be hard on him. If the walk home weren’t so short, I’d use the car to get to work.” I fumbled a bit with the lock. A covert glance at the mayor’s face told me she was not happy with the delays. “Please come in,” I said as I unlocked the door and opened it.