Take Stock in Murder Read Online Free PDF Page B

they just suspected each other of a possibility.”
    “That’s an interesting way to phrase it, McCall. Maybe there was more to this Barrington flirtation than either one of the Faradays wanted to admit.”
    “And there’s one more thing.”
    “What’s that?” Jenco asked.
    “Did you notice that the first question Mrs. Faraday asked wasn’t
how
Todd was murdered but
when
?”
    “Good observation. And your conclusion, McCall?”
    “I think she was trying to pinpoint the time of death to fix their alibis. Neither one answered your question about going out a second time last night.” McCall paused for a moment, then asked, “Do you think they’ll follow your instructions and stay out of the case?”
    “Hardly. I’m sure they’ll be out and about looking for clues before the end of the day. That’s why I’m placing twenty-four-hour surveillance on the Faradays. This way we know where they go and what they discover.”
    “I’ve also come to another conclusion,” McCall said.
    “Yes? What’s that?”
    “I think it’s a real possibility Mrs. Faraday’s purse wasn’t left behind when the fight occurred, so how did it end up at the Club?”
    “In that case let’s make sure we know what kind of cars the Faradays drive. I want every worker on that cleanup crew questioned about what cars they saw in the parking lot after the dance was over,” Jenco said.
    “Good idea,” McCall turned left and headed the car back toward the police station.

arrie was lighting another cigarette and placing dirty coffee cups on a tray when Charles entered the study. The kitten looked up at Charles and purred softly.
    “You tell me not to feed that kitten because he’ll keep coming back, and here you’re carrying him into a warm, cozy place,” Carrie said. “Why would he leave now?”
    “Is that another cigarette?” Charles asked as he stroked the cat.
    “What?” Carrie looked down at the cigarette she’d just lit and stubbed it out in the ashtray. She came over and started to stroke the cat. “I can’t believe Todd is dead.”
    “Carrie, this is very serious. I think you and I need to talk about last night.”
    “About the fight with Todd?”
    “No, about what happened later when you returned to the Club.”
    “Why do you think I went back to the Club?” She took the kitten from Charles and sat on the sofa.
    “Are you saying you didn’t return?”
    “No, I just wanted to hear how you knew I went back.”
    “For one thing, at the dance you asked me to hold your evening bag while you were fixing your dress strap. I handed it to you when we got into the car.”
    She was silent for a moment, then answered, “Charles, I’m scared.”
    Charles came and sat next to her on the sofa. “There’s no reason to be scared—not if you let me help you. Tell me why you went back to the Club.” His voice was very gentle.
    “I awoke early this morning around two a.m., and you were missing. I was just about to get up and see where you were when I realized I didn’t have my tennis bracelet. It had to have come off when I was struggling with Todd. You know how much that bracelet means to me. It was the very first present you gave me.”
    “I remember. What happened next?”
    “I slipped on some clothes and grabbed my evening bag, since my license was in it. Charles, the trip was completely uneventful. I saw no one, and I certainly didn’t see Todd’s body in the library.”
    “OK, darling, I believe you. But I want you to go over each and every detail of your trip to and from the Club. Let me make a few notes, while everything is still fresh in your mind.” Charles went to the desk and got a small leather notebook. He had used this notebook to list all the clues until his brother’s murder was solved.
    “OK, here goes,” she said. “After dressing, I left the house and drove to the Club. I arrived at about two fifteen a.m. I saw the party rental people were still loading tables and chairs onto the trucks over