Murder in a Teacup by Vicki Delany

Author:Vicki Delany [Delany, Vicki]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2021-04-19T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

My tip didn’t finger the killer, but it did have one result: The police showed up the next morning to confiscate everyone’s electronic devices.

I heard the yelling from the kitchen.

“What’s happening out there?” I asked Edna as she came in with a stack of dirty plates and more breakfast orders.

“Detective Williams has arrived with two uniforms. They’re demanding everyone in the French and McHenry parties hand over their cell phones and tablets.”

I turned off the burners on the stove, wiped my hands on my apron, and hurried into the dining room. Brian McHenry was on his feet, legs apart, hands on hips, red-faced, glaring at Detective Williams. The uniformed cops stood behind Williams, glancing around the room and waiting for someone to tell them what to do.

The dining room was full. Sandra and Heather had taken a table for two, as had Amanda and Tyler. The rest of the McHenrys occupied the big table in the center of the room. Trisha sat on her own, an outcast at a small table close to the door. She had an iPad propped up in front of her and scrolled through the screen with one hand as she scooped eggs into her mouth with the other.

The guests who were not part of Heather’s group openly stared.

“I’m not explaining myself to you,” Williams was saying as I came in. He caught sight of me hurrying across the room. “Oh, there you are, Ms. Roberts. We’re acting on your tip.”

Brian threw me a poisonous look. “Is this your doing?”

“Uh. No. What’s going on?”

“I need the friends and family of Ed French to give me their cell phones and other electronic devices,” Williams said. “Now.”

“Can we not talk about this here?” I said. “Our guests are enjoying their breakfasts. Maybe we can gather in the drawing room?” So far, Rose had not appeared this morning.

“I’m not giving up my phone!” Amanda wailed. “I might as well die.”

“That can be arranged,” her brother said.

“Will you be quiet!” Julie-Ann snapped.

“Nothing to talk about,” Williams said. “I want those phones. All of you, follow me.” He walked out of the room, gesturing to the officers to ensure the others followed. I ran after him.

“Where’s Detective Redmond?”

“Busy.”

“Busy at what? If this is because of what I told her last night, she should be here.”

He turned to face me. “I decide the appropriate allocation of resources in my department, Lily. Not you.”

“I didn’t mean—”

My protest was drowned out by the babble of voices spilling out of the dining room into the hall.

“. . . outrageous . . .”

“. . . my lawyer . . .”

“. . . treating us like suspects . . .”

“. . . I’m sure they have a reason . . .”

“I’m on call with my employees back at home,” Lewis said. “I can’t be without my phone.”

“Do you have a landline in this house, Ms. Roberts?” Williams asked me.

“Yes. Yes, we do.”

“Then I’m sure you’ll allow anyone who needs to place a call to use it. Everyone, give your phones and tablets to this officer.

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