A Motor for Murder (Veronica Margreve Mysteries Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

incident?”
    “I heard a loud splash and what sounded like a scream. I thought that something happened downstairs.”
    “Where were you when you heard that?”
    “On the balcony that was looking at downtown. It wasn't raining yet, and I was admiring the sunset.”
    “Anyone with you?”
    “No, not at the time. I had just talked to Paul, and he left to talk to George. A waiter came in and brought champagne. I had a glass and was drinking it when I heard the splash and then the scream”.
    The detective was writing in his notebook.
    “So Paul went to talk to George? How long before the event?”
    “Yes. He said he needed to talk to the host about the remodel. I don't know how long, maybe ten minutes? My remaining champagne hadn't gone flat yet.” The detective gave me a sideways look at that method of measuring time. “Did you talk to Paul?”
    He nodded. “Yes. When you came downstairs, was there already a crowd?”
    “Yes, I saw maybe twelve people at the edge of the pool”.
    “Anyone that you recognized?”
    “Yes, a waiter from catering. None of the others were people I actually talked to at the party.”
    “Did you notice whether anyone arrived at the scene after you?”
    “Not really. I wasn’t paying attention to anything besides the pool.”
    “Did you see Rita?”
    “Oh yes, she ran out to the water, screaming.”
    “Was she in the crowd when you came down, then?”
    “I didn’t see her. I could have missed her, I suppose, but I didn’t notice where she was.”
    “So you came from the second floor.”
    “Yes, the balcony that was facing downtown”.
    “Did you notice anyone coming down the stairs behind you?”
    “No, I didn't. At least no-one in high heels.”
    He raised an eyebrow. “Why do you say that?”
    “I noticed my heels clicking on the stairs, and I think I heard only my own steps. Unless someone was exactly in step with me. Of course, someone could have just waited a bit longer and then came down”. George was pushed out of the window that was facing the pool. The way the house was laid out, anyone on the top floor would need to come down the same stairs as me.
    “Did you hear anyone using the elevator on the second floor?”
    “Elevator? I thought that was just from the garage?”
    “No, the elevator goes to the second floor as well. It's in the back.” So there was another way down, besides the stairs.
    “No, I didn’t know it was there. But things became pretty loud when people realized George fell into the pool. I might not have heard the elevator noise.”
    “I see. Did you hear any noises shortly before the discovery of the body?”
    “No, nothing special... Someone did look in, I assumed looking for the bathroom, but that was before I talked to Paul.”
    “Did you notice who that was?”
    “No.” I thought that the voice saying “Sorry” was somehow familiar, but I wasn't sure who it belonged to.
    He made a mark in the notebook, and then continued.
    “How well did you know George Ellis?”
    “I just met him that evening.”
    “I see. How come you were at the party?”
    “I knew Rita, years ago, before she married George. I ran into her about a month ago at the Redmond Farmer's Market, and she invited me to the house-warming.” He noted this down.
    “When was the last time you’ve seen her or talked to her, prior to that meeting?”
    I thought back.
    “Three years ago, at least.”
    “Did you see anyone else that the party that you knew?”
    I shook my head.
    “No-one from your old crowd of friends?”
    “No.”
    “Would you say that everyone else there seemed to know George?”
    “The people I’ve talked to all knew George. For others, you would need to ask Rita. And... If I may ask... Do you think someone from the outside might have come in and killed George?”
    “Extremely unlikely. There are cameras over the front, side and back doors to the house and the outside gate. We’ve reviewed the footage with Rita, as well as the caterer. Between