Peonies and Poison by London Lovett

Author:London Lovett [Lovett, London]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wild Fox Press

Chapter 16

Justin had wasted no time removing the red double-breasted usher's coat and matching hat once it was confirmed Mr. Samuels was dead. He had balled the coat up and thrown it in his locker. He pulled it out, along with the hat, to show Briggs that the only other things he had inside his locker were the t-shirt, shorts and sneakers he'd worn into work.

"Thanks for showing us the locker," Briggs said. "I know you've already given your statement, but do you remember where you were between the time the projector was fixed and when you came in to ask for my help?"

"Yeah, like I told the officer, I saw Mr. Samuels head up to the projector room. I took my fifteen minute break right after that. When I came back inside, I looked for Sally to see if there was anything else she needed me to do. I couldn't find her, so I went straight to the maintenance closet to get the things I needed to clean theater one. The movie was close to finished. It's my job to clean up trash in between shows."

Briggs looked up. "Since you are part of the custodial team, do you know if the theater was having any problems with rats?"

The question caused him to laugh. "You mean like the kind with tails, or tattle tales, cuz we've got a few of those around here too."

Briggs was amused but he kept his cool. "I mean the kind with tails."

Justin looked at me almost as if to see if Briggs was serious. "I've never seen one in the theater. But I wouldn't put it past Connie Wilkerson from over at the Starlight to buy some at the pet store and plant them in the theater. She hates Samuels." He paused and rubbed his nose. "I mean hated. Kinda weird having to talk about him in past tense all of a sudden. Heck, he was just chewing me out a few hours ago and now he's dead." He seemed to want to walk back the last sentence. "Not that I'd off him or anything like that. He was a terrible guy to work for but I'm more into chillin' and riding waves. I take life one day at a time."

"Yes, I can see that," Briggs said. "Do you know anyone working here who might not be quite as chill as you? Someone who disliked Mr. Samuels?"

"Nah, not here. But I think Samuels did set that fire at the Starlight. Maybe Connie wanted to get revenge. Yesterday, someone poured salt into the soda machine. People were spitting cherry cola and orange soda everywhere. It was gross. I think Connie might have paid someone to dump salt in it when no one was looking."

Briggs shifted a glance my direction. Apparently, Trinity had decided to secretly avenge Justin's honor.

The topic of the salty soda machine spurred the same question into my head as the one that Briggs asked. "I understand that Mr. Samuels yelled at you in front of all your friends.

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