"I think," Nana June said carefully, "there are many things in life that we can’t explain. But I also think there is an element of Mister Smee simply looking for a comfortable place, and, in doing so, it turns my thoughts and focus to something I might not have thought of. A way to look at our evidence in a different way.”
“So… just a coincidence?”
Nana June chuckled. “Perhaps. Whether by design or coincidence, he sometimes helps me connect the dots. And in this instance, we need to realize that everyone in Meadowlark Creek is hiding something. The question is which secret might have been worth killing for."
They returned to their research, compiling information, making lists, and comparing notes. Multiple people had financial vulnerabilities that Raymond could have exploited. Lucy's mysterious missing year in high school many years ago. Bob's unexplained business recovery. Helena's access to various companies' accounting books. Even Horace’s inheritance hung in the balance. And, of course, Diane… or Diana.
"In so many books, the way to kill someone is with poison," Sara Lee said quietly. "Anyone could have accessed poison. Rat poison from the hardware store. Garden chemicals. Cleaning supplies. It's not like you need special access."
Nana June nodded grimly. "Which suggests opportunity, means, and motive are all widespread. We'relooking for something more specific. Something that narrows the field."
Sara Lee was about to respond when the library's front door opened. She looked up to see Ted entering, his expression serious. He spotted them immediately and walked over, glancing around to make sure they had relative privacy.
"Thought I'd find you here," he said.
"Ted. What's wrong?"
He pulled out a chair and sat down heavily. "I ran into Sheriff Gordon outside the station. He told me the initial autopsy report came back from Dr. Ward."
Sara Lee's pulse quickened. "And?"
"They've sent samples to the state lab for more detailed analysis. But Dr. Ward noted enough suspicious elements that he's officially calling it a questionable death." Ted's voice was troubled. "Gordon's being pushed to investigate it as a potential homicide, even though he's still resisting the idea."
"What kind of suspicious elements?" Nana June asked.
Ted glanced around again, then lowered his voice. "I’m assuming poisons in the blood or stomach."
Sara Lee felt cold.Poison.So, it wasn't accidental. His death was deliberate. And premeditated.
"There's more," Ted continued. "The torn paper they found in his pocket. Gordon said it was a corner of an old newspaper. Nothing he could tell about it, though. No words, no date. Just a corner.”
"The newspaper must have been important, butwithout any identifying information, it’s not going to help the sheriff," Nana June said quietly.
"Yes. That’s the problem… there's no way to trace where it came from since it's just a corner. It was well-worn, so not new. But there’s no way to know who it was meant for. Raymond could have found something in an old newspaper that was important, but why only the corner ended up in his pocket, we don’t know." Ted rubbed his face tiredly.
“One way or the other, Sheriff Gordon will have to begin an official investigation.” Nana June tapped her forefinger on her chin.
Ted’s eyes widened, then he continued, "Gordon's going to have to interview everyone Raymond interacted with at the festival. Everyone who had a confrontation with him."
Sara Lee thought about their growing list of suspects. The Judge. Bob. Lucy. Jerry. Helena. Diane. Barb.And me! I talked to him, too.All would be questioned now. All of them would have to account for their whereabouts, their access to poison, their motives.
"How's Horace handling everything?" Nana June asked.
"Not well. He knows he's going to be a prime suspect because of the inheritance and the years of bad blood. He's already retained a criminal attorney, just in case." Ted's expression was pained.
"I know you believe he’s innocent, Ted. But believing and knowing aren't the same thing."
They sat in heavy silence for a moment. Pippi, who'dbeen sleeping under the table at Sara Lee's feet, lifted her head and whined softly, as if sensing the tension.
"Be careful," Ted said finally, standing. "Both of you. If this really is murder, if someone in Meadowlark Creek killed Raymond. They've already proven they're willing to kill to protect their secrets." His expression held genuine concern. "Please don't do anything reckless."
After he left, Sara Lee and her grandmother gathered their notes and materials. Mister Smee went back into his carrier without protest, and Pippi stretched before taking her position at June's side.
They walked home in the fading afternoon light, neither speaking. Sara Lee's mind was churning with everything they'd learned. The torn corner of an old newspaper. The poison in his system. The state lab tests that would eventually prove what poison had been used.
Someone in their small town… very possibly someone they knew… someone they'd probably smiled at dozens of times, had poisoned Raymond. They expected him to drink from that flask, knowing it would kill him. They let him sit there in the park, dying slowly, in the place where the town had celebrated just hours before.
The thought made her feel sick.
