06 Suspects and Surprises Read Online Free PDF Page B

railing gave way,” Suzie said darkly. “He thinks it was nothing more than an accident.”
    “Well, that is how it looks,” Mary said as she watched the officers step carefully out onto the balcony.
    “You know that's not possible, Mary,” Suzie said and turned to look at her friend. “Don't you?”
    “I do,” Mary agreed. “I was here for the inspection, I saw it with my own eyes.”
    “I'm sure they're going to find some evidence of someone else throwing Warren off the balcony. But the question is why?”
    “A murder at Dune House,” Mary sighed. “Even after we prove that it wasn't our fault, we are going to take a hit for this. Good thing it is after tourist season.”
    “That’s one good thing at least,” Suzie replied as she watched the officers inspecting the loose railing. “But, I have a feeling we're going to need all the help that we can get with this.”
    “I think so, too,” Mary agreed. “I’ll be back in a second, I’m just going to see that John hasn’t been woken by the commotion.”  She walked back into the house. Suzie realized that she was still in her loose nightgown with all of these people around her. She shivered in the cool breeze that was coming off the water.
    “Here,” Jason said from beside her. She hadn't even seen him come back outside. He draped his jacket around her.
    “Thank you,” Suzie said quietly. His expression was tight, his eyes narrowed. “What is it Jason?” she asked.
    “Suzie, I'm going to have to ask you a few questions,” he said with a frown. “I know that it's going to be awkward, but I have paperwork that I have to fill out before I can wrap this up.”
    “Wrap this up?” Suzie asked with shock. “What are you talking about? Do you know who did it?”
    “Who did what?” Jason asked. “It was an accident, Suzie.”
    “That's impossible,” Suzie frowned.
    “Suzie, there is no evidence of the railing being damaged. There's no sign of any struggle in the room, or on the balcony. My best guess is that the victim walked out on the balcony to wait for the sunrise, and when he leaned against the railing, it gave way.”
    “How could it?” Suzie demanded. “It was sturdy, we had it inspected…”
    “It looks like it might have lost a screw or two. Maybe in the high winds we had a couple of weeks ago,” he shrugged. “Sometimes the weather does more damage than we realize.”
    “Jason, there's no way,” Suzie insisted. “I check the balconies after every weather event.”
    “Maybe you overlooked one,” Jason said grimly.
    “No, I didn't,” Suzie said, anger rising in her voice.
    “Look Suzie, I know that this is going to put Dune House into a bit of a mess, so I understand why you're upset. But I need to ask you a few questions for the record, so are you going to answer them or should I get one of the other officers?” he narrowed his eyes.
    “Fine, fine,” Suzie waved her hand. “Ask your questions.”
    “Did you have any recent complaints from guests about the state of the balconies?” he asked.
    “No, of course not,” Suzie snapped in return.
    “Did you actually see the victim on the balcony before he fell?”
    “No,” she growled. “I heard a scream, and then a thump, I came running out here to check what it was and found Warren on the ground.”
    “Okay, I think that should cover it,” Jason said as he put away his paperwork. “If you think of anything else to add, just let me know. The victim will be taken to the medical examiner for an autopsy, but pending the results this is being considered an accidental death.”
    “This is terrible,” Suzie muttered under her breath. “Jason, you must know that we would never put anyone in danger.”
    “All I know is that there is no evidence of a struggle, no evidence of external damage to the balcony, and the only injuries I've seen on the victim are those caused by the fall. You say you had the balconies inspected, I believe you, Suzie. But this is a big house,