“Yes, all except Tara Delamont. But I believe you’ve already cleared her.”
“We have.” Detective Johnson appeared lost in thought for a moment. “You’ll be talking about murder mysteries as part of this discussion?”
“That’s what Tey wrote. Well, she also wrote plays and a few other novels too, but we won’t be talking about those. We’ll be focusing on the mysteries.”
“Interesting. I almost wish I could join you. I’m particularly fond of Tey’sA Shilling for Candles.” Detective Johnson grinned. “I like a good mystery read myself.”
“I guess that isn’t surprising, although I suppose they aren’t much like actual police work,” Ellen said.
“Which is why I like them, to be honest. Real police work is quite different.”
Ellen nodded. “Same in my previous profession. Days or months or even years of tedious legwork, research, and surveillance, punctuated by explosions of violent activity.”
“Exactly.” Detective Johnson tapped the pen against her jaw. “I wonder … just how far are you willing to go to help the police in this matter, Ms. Reed?”
Before I could answer, a young man poked his head around the door and gave Detective Johnson a thumbs-up gesture as he handed her Ellen’s card.
“Well, well,” the detective said, sliding the card back across the table. “The things you find out about people.”
“They constantly amaze, don’t they?” Ellen said, her expression mild as milk. “But now I’m curious about what you wantCharlotte to do. I hope it’s not something that will place her in danger.”
Detective Johnson looked from Ellen to me. “I would definitely try to avoid that, but I admit it might put her in a rather tricky position.”
“What exactly are you talking about?” I asked. For the sake of Chapters’ reputation, as well as clearing Julie and my own peace of mind, I was willing to take a reasonable risk, but I didn’t want to agree to anything that might get me killed.
“Well, it just struck me that you are in an envious position to help us try to expose our killer. You are hosting an event where most of the original guests will be present. Except for Tara Delamont, of course, but as you said, we’ve ruled her out as a suspect.” Detective Johnson cast us a knowing smile. “You didn’t hear it from me, but the girl was able to prove that she was on her cell phone secretly talking with a boy—someone her parents had forbidden her to contact, which was why she was reluctant to tell us when we first questioned her. This call took place during the time we’ve pinpointed for Lincoln Delamont’s murder. She even took some selfies right before the call, and they show a background that matches her room at Chapters. So we have records of her exact location, and she was nowhere near the carriage house.”
“That’s a relief,” I said.
“I thought so too.” Detective Johnson sat back, crossing her arms over her chest. “But we’re still looking into her mother and some of the other guests and staff, and frankly, we seem to have hit a brick wall. We really have to allow the out-of-town guests to leave Beaufort if we don’t get better intel soon, so I thought”—shetipped her head and examined me intently—“maybe this event of yours could help us gather some more information.”
“How?” I glanced over at Ellen, who was staring at the detective with a furrowed brow.
“If you were to ask some specific questions related to Tey’s books but also associated with aspects of Delamont’s murder, maybe somebody would slip up and say something that could give us a new lead.”
“You mean link the books to the real-life murder?”
“Subtly, but yes.” Detective Johnson dropped her arms and leaned forward. “We could help you craft a few leading questions.”
“But even if someone slipped up and said something compromising, that would be secondhand information,” Ellen said. “Sure, Charlotte could testify to hearing it, as could some of the other guests—including me, since I plan to attend. But would that hold up? It wouldn’t be a direct confession to law enforcement.”
Detective Johnson’s dark eyes flashed. “It would if Ms. Reed was wearing a wire.”
“What?” I couldn’t keep a squeak out of my voice. Yes, I wanted to help, but wearing a wire like some sort of spy wasn’t what I’d had in mind.
Fortunately, I was sitting next to an actual spy. Who lifted one hand and said, “Hold it right there. I don’t think that’s something Charlotte should be asked to do. It’s a lot trickier than they make it look on TV, you know.”
“Yes, I’m aware. But it seems like the best way to get a handle on this case,” Detective Johnson said, her tone apologetic. “At least, it’s a golden opportunity for pushing these people to talk.”
“That may be, but you want to do this right. I suggest”—Ellen extended her hand, palm up, as if offering a gift—“that you wire me instead. I will be there, and I have done this sort of thing before.”
Detective Johnson stared speculatively at Ellen. “I suppose you have. Very well. That actually solves the problem of when and where to get someone hooked up. We can come to your house before you head over to Chapters and avoid the problem of the other guests noticing strangers wandering around the bed-and-breakfast.”
“But won’t you need to be nearby anyway?” I asked, my mind reeling from the idea that an undercover operation was being planned for my home.
“Yes, but we can be down the block in an unmarked van,” the detective replied. “The state bureau of investigation can lend us equipment and any special expertise if we need it. The county sheriff’s office will help too, if we ask.”
I turned to Ellen. “Are you sure you’re okay with this?”
