The Tycoon Murderer by Maureen Driscoll

Author:Maureen Driscoll
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Cozy Mystery, Hollywood, Bootlegger, Victorian, Time Travel Romance
Publisher: Maureen Driscoll
Published: 2018-05-05T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

An hour later, the guests were assembled in the sitting room with the staff looking on. The town’s sheriff was in California visiting his sister, so his deputy, Marvin Irwin, had been the one to take the call. He’d already examined the body, only to give his findings that she was, indeed, dead, before having to sit down and place a cold towel on his head to combat queasiness.

He looked to be in his late twenties and was about five feet, seven inches tall with a slight build. Josie would say he reminded her of Barney Fife, except no one would understand the reference. He was pacing in front of the guests and staff, then cleared his throat three times. “I’m Deputy Irwin and I’m going to get to the bottom of how this Madame Racine died. My men are going to question the staff and I intend to question every man in this room.”

“What about me?” asked Agent Barker, who was standing off to the side. “I’m an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Are you going to question me?”

“Of course, I’m not going to question you, Agent Barker,” said Irwin, looking like he was about to call for the cold towel again.

“Why the Sam Hill not!”

“I can’t imagine J. Edgar Hoover ever hiring someone who isn’t beyond reproach.”

“No one’s beyond reproach!”

“Of course not!” said Deputy Irwin, stomping his foot for emphasis. “Wait. Does that mean I’m questioning you or not?”

“You’re definitely questioning me or I’ll have your badge.”

“Okey-doke. Did you kill Madame Racine?”

“No!”

“That’s good enough for me.” He turned to the guests. “You ladies can go take yourselves off to do whatever you do while I question the men. Some breakfast would not go amiss.”

“Are you saying a woman couldn’t have committed this murder?” asked Josie.

“What do you mean?” asked Deputy Irwin.

“You’re not questioning the women, which means you don’t think we’re capable of murder.”

“I didn’t mean to imply that.”

“I would hope not,” said Dora. “Women can be especially vicious. It comes more naturally to some than others, but with enough practice, it can be achieved.”

“She would know,” said Lawrence.

“A woman could easily be the murderer,” said Constance. “Especially one who’d been committed to a lunatic asylum.”

“I wasn’t committed! I checked myself in voluntarily!” Josie turned to Remington, who was beside her, and quietly asked, “Right?”

“I believe the point my cousin is trying to make is that no one is above suspicion. I’ve told my staff to clear the library, Deputy Irwin. You may question the guests in there.”

“I was just going to do it here.”

“In front of everyone?” asked Agent Barker incredulously.

“Of course not!” said Deputy Irwin quickly.

“I know who you should start with,” said Kurt. “The bootlegger who brought a gun to the party.”

Mikey turned on him. “Why don’t you make like the pictures and stop talking?”

“And Madame Racine wasn’t shot,” said Josie. “So, I don’t know why it matters that Mr. Corrigan brought a gun to the party, though we should probably mention that someone shot him.

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