A Toxic Murder Medley: An unputdownable murder mystery full of secrets and suspense (An Emma Lang Cozy Mystery) by Nelly Stein

Author:Nelly Stein [Stein, Nelly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2024-09-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

To Be or Not to Be…

Emma

My eyes roved over the crowd spilling into the Roosevelt Room. Olivia had really outdone herself. Evelyn Montgomery may have been an unlikable sourpuss, but my friend had put together a soirée worthy of royalty.

Per our agreement, I moved through the crowd, passing out tasty tidbits and listening for anything that might shed light on Evelyn Montgomery’s untimely passing. Sophie had made short work of the crab puffs and now seemed to be heading for the cocktail garnishes. I winced as I noticed Howell Shillingford, III surveying her backside when she leaned over the bar for a Maraschino cherry.

Should have kept your tray, Soph. At least then you could have used it as a shield against that creep.

As for me, it was my third round with the Swedish meatballs—Neville Montgomery had taken most of them—when I spied a quick figure slip into the room.

It was Patricia Harris, Mrs. Montgomery’s ever-efficient assistant. The woman’s presence alone wasn't unusual. She had seen to all the finer details of Evelyn’s life. So, why not her death? But the furtive glance she cast over her shoulder? That spoke volumes to my intuitive mind.

Patricia's tailored tweed suit blended with the warm yellow light spilling from the lobby doorway. With a measured step, Patricia slipped through the crowd, her normally composed face tight with an urgency that seemed out of character for the stoic woman.

My curiosity has been piqued, though I masked it behind a veil of nonchalance. I sauntered closer under the guise of inspecting a nearby buffet table, my nimble fingers tracing the edge of a silver tray as I watched Patricia from the corner of my eye. She made her way toward Neville and Audrey, her gaze riveted on them. Sudden worry nibbled at my brain. We had no idea who Evelyn’s killer was.

What if Evelyn wasn’t the only intended victim?

I quickly searched for help. Olivia was busy with two guests all the way across the room. Older women. Friends of Evelyn, I think.

Sophie was, surprisingly, deep in conversation with Evelyn’s sleazy brother. I waved frantically, trying to get her attention, but whatever Howell had to say commanded all Sophie’s attention.

I guess it’s all up to me.

“Excuse me. Pardon me. Have a meatball. Excuse me.” I quickly threaded my way through the crowd, my eyes never leaving Patricia Harris.

Neville Montgomery had his back to the approaching secretary. He awkwardly tried to spear a toothpick into one of the meatballs in the precarious mountain piled on his cocktail plate. Every time he picked one up, it only got halfway to his mouth before it plopped unceremoniously back onto the pile, splattering sauce on his garish tie. Honestly, the sauce was a bit of an improvement on the awkward paisley pattern.

That’s when I saw her do it. Patricia Harris picked up a long-tined fork from one of the tables and quickened her pace toward Neville Montgomery.

Oh, my gosh! She’s going to stab him!

There was no way I could cover the distance in time! So, I did the only thing I could in the situation.

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