Sugar Cookie Cream & Murder: An Oceanside Cozy Mystery Book 60 by Susan Gillard

Author:Susan Gillard [Gillard, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Guardian Publishing Group LLC.
Published: 2018-12-17T22:00:00+00:00

The Sister

After conducting all those interrogations in the office, Heather and the other investigators walked over to Elaine’s bedroom. Heather knocked gently on the door.

“Come in,” said Ethel.

Heather walked into the room with Amy at her side. Ryan and Peters were a few steps back, so they didn’t crowd the woman if she was still feeling sick.

Elaine was lying on the bed with a cool washcloth on her forehead. Ethel sat next to her, trying to comfort her. Mr. Rankle sat in a chair in the corner, looking grumpy.

“How are you feeling?” Heather asked.

“How do you expect?” asked Elaine.

“She’s trying to help,” said Ethel. “And I’m sure she meant physically because of your near-faint. We all know how terrible this must be for you emotionally.”

“Well, I suppose that physically I am feeling better,” Elaine said finally. “Though I do still feel a little weak after receiving that news. Not only is poor, dear Tony dead, but you also think he was murdered. And possibly by someone in my house.”

“It is unpleasant to face,” said Heather. “But we do want to get to the bottom of this. And we think you might be able to help us.”

“How?” asked Elaine as if it were impossible.

“We’ve learned that you like to show off the house to people who stop by,” Heather explained. “That you like to show off all the Christmas decorations.”

“That is true,” said Elaine. “Oh dear. I don’t know if this is better or worse. It might not have been a family member who killed Tony. But I might have let the killer inside!”

“We don’t know for sure,” said Heather. “It’s just a possibility.”

“So, did you let anyone inside recently?” asked Amy.

“Let’s see. Who did I let in since we had the decorations up?” Elaine asked herself. “Well, there was the mailman. And the Wimple twins. And the pizza delivery boy.”

“How about since Tony Holly arrived from Chicago?” asked Heather. “Because the killer didn’t just tamper with the tree. The killer also messed with Tony’s shoes.”

“Since Tony arrived,” Elaine said, frowning. “Why that was just yesterday. I didn’t let anyone in to see the house except the people delivering food. You and one other delivery. But they were never out of my sight. They couldn’t have done this.”

“Thank you for thinking about this,” said Heather.

“But it means that it had to be a family member, doesn’t it?” asked Elaine. “Oh, this is too awful to bear.”

“You’ll survive,” Ethel said. “And we’ll be here to help you.”

“I don’t want your help,” Elaine said suddenly.

Ethel looked surprised and confused.

“What do you mean?” asked Ethel. “I’m your sister.”

“Some sister,” said Elaine. “I don’t see you for years and years. You get yourself invited to one of my wonderful parties, and when you show up, somebody gets murdered.”

“But this isn’t my fault,” Ethel protested.

“Of course it’s not,” Mr. Rankle said, rising to his feet and walking over to her.

“I’m not so sure,” said Elaine. “For all I know, you killed him.”

“Why would I kill Tony?” asked Ethel.

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