Page 5

Chapter Five

Ewan and his men gathered bottles from the trash and recycling bins, and Abigail set up a table downstairs to test them. The dishes from the night before had already been washed. My next job was to speak with my friends, to narrow down exactly what happened the night before.

Thanks to some McGyvering with diabetes test strips, I was able to confirm that Mara and Angie had been poisoned by the liquid. Neither of them had been in the mood to remember the night before, however.

“Why would someone try to kill us?” Angie’s voice was full of upset. “Do you think that’s why Robbie was here?”

“And why me?” Mara asked from the bed. “I didn’t even know him.”

“That’s why I need you two to calm down and take me through your movements last night. At any time, did you share food or drink?”

“The water bottle I told you about,” Angie said.

“Oh, that’s right. She didn’t like the taste, and she handed it to me. I chugged a bit, but she’d been right. It tasted almost like sugar water.”

“What did you do with the bottle, Mara?”

She shrugged. “I can’t remember. I was so hot and felt nauseous from eating so many sweets. I couldn’t find you, so I left the party.”

“I need you to answer the question. Are we going to die like Robbie?” Angie pointed a finger at me.

“No.”

“Swear,” Mara said.

I held up a hand. “Your latest tests were clear. We’ll want to do scans when we can get out of here to make certain the ethylene glycol had no ill effects on your organs, but I’m certain you will be fine.” They had ingested so little of it, and without knowing, I’d flushed most of it out of Mara’s system.

Well, I had known something wasn’t right with her last night. Flushing her system had been the best course of action, and hydrating her body so it could work the right way for her.

“Where’s Damien?”

“Abigail made him go downstairs with her, to help. I think she noticed his hovering over me was driving me mad. He’s so protective, and if he asked me again if Robbie had contacted me, I would have throttled him.”

“I would have helped,” Mara interjected. “He was rather worried about that aspect of the situation.”

The walkie-talkie in my cardigan squawked. Angie and Mara jumped.

“Doctor, any news?”

I pressed the button down. “Tests were clear this last time. They are out of danger. Any luck?”

“We’ve been through everything and haven’t found the delivery system. Abigail says everything is clean.”

I told him about the water bottle. “It’s the only thing they shared last night. It has to be there.”

“It is not,” he said.

“So, someone is hiding the evidence.”

He didn’t say anything for a few seconds.

“Bloody hell. I’ll start a search of the rooms.”

One thing Ewan and I agreed on: this was an active situation.

“What does that mean? You both sound upset,” Angie said.

I didn’t want to worry her unnecessarily, but she needed to always stay aware.

“Either Robbie hid the evidence somewhere no one can find it, or we have a secondary killer.”

My friends gasped.

“No, that can’t be,” Angie said.

“Who would want to kill you, Angie?” Mara asked.

“I hope no one,” she said. “I mean, as Damien said, the people here love us. Why would they try to hurt us?”

“Hopefully, we’re only looking at Robbie, who had motive and opportunity,” I said.

They seemed pacified with that.

But why would Robbie have killed himself in a tower where no one might find him for days? That didn’t make sense. And how had he ingested the poison? There were no bottles or liquids at the crime scene. Ewan had checked.

The biggest thing that worried me was that if there was more than one killer, he or she might try again. Ewan’s men were on alert and would be searching rooms while guests were at the various events. It was his house, and he had the right to search anywhere he pleased without warning.

That was the law according to Ewan, and I didn’t disagree.

I had so many questions. We had to catch the other killer before they did any more damage.

My friends could have died, and I had to make the killer pay.

A few hours later, the cozy mixer began in the front ballroom. Azure couches and chairs in luxurious velvet were spaced around the room, creating seating areas that made the large room feel comfortable and lounge-like. The lighting was subtle, and tables had been spaced throughout, with more chairs.

There weren’t many people there when I first arrived.

A huge roaring fireplace, another one of those where several people could fit inside, centered the room with a warm glow. Two buffets had been set up at each end of the room, on long tables.

Jasper, our resident baker in Sea Isle, pointed at the waitstaff setting up the dessert tables. “Make sure you stack them according to the plan.”

He glanced over and waved me toward him.

“Is it true?” He whispered the words. He wore jeans and a chef’s coat, which was neat as a pin.

“I need context,” I said.

“That someone died and tried to murder our friends?”

“Oh my, don’t those pink macarons look tasty. What flavor are they?”

He snorted. “Nice try. Give. And don’t say you can’t comment on an ongoing investigation. It’s me. Do you have a picture of the dead guy? I was asleep when Ewan’s men questioned the kitchen staff.”

I pulled out my phone and showed him one of the pics Abigail had sent me during our examination.

“Do you recognize him?”

Jasper raised an eyebrow.

“What?”

“I think when I arrived with the van, he was by the garage. He carried a couple of jugs. It was only for a few seconds, but it was him.”

Jugs of antifreeze?

“Do you remember what color the jugs were?”

“Not really. As I turned around in the drive, he was heading out of the garages. I thought he was cute. I kept an eye out while I was in the kitchen but didn’t see him after that.”

“Can you give me any more details?”

“Why? Oh. My. Gawd. Is he the killer?” He was a bit loud, and people turned our way.

“Jasper.” I put a finger to my lips.

“Sorry. I really do have the worst taste in men.”

“You and me both, my friend.” We’d shared many stories about our lives the past three months. Neither of us had been particularly successful in the relationship department.

“I don’t know if he’s the killer. Only that he’s dead by ingesting a poison.”

“If he’s the killer, why do himself in?”

“That’s a question Ewan and I very much want answered.”

“How are our friends? Are they feeling okay.”

“Better. Are you certain he wasn’t in the kitchen at any time?”

“I locked myself away in the room off the kitchen to work on the cakes yesterday. But no, I didn’t see him again. How were our friends poisoned?”

“That’s another question I don’t have an answer for at the moment. We think, possibly, with a water bottle.”

“That’s frightening. Is that why they tested all the food today?”

“Yes. Ewan was worried more than the water had been contaminated.”

“Oh. Wait. The liquid in the jugs was a light blue. I remember thinking the color matched his eyes.”

“Thank you for that.”

“Was the poison in the jugs? It was coolant, right?”

“Yes, we think it was antifreeze he ingested. That’s what the tests are saying.”

“That couldn’t have been pleasant. Why would the dead guy try to kill Angie and Mara?”

“We don’t know.”

“You’re smart—you’ll figure it out.”

“I’m glad someone has faith in me.”

He snorted again. “Stop. You are like Nancy Drew with the mysteries.”

“I think I’m closer to Miss Marple’s age.”

He hooted with laughter. “Lass, that is not true. You’d pass for late twenties any day.”

“And that’s one of the many reasons we are friends. Even if you are an amazing liar. Mara and Abigail said you were working too hard again. Promise me you’ll get some rest tonight.”

He gave me a salute. “Yes, Doc. I’m almost finished with the fine details of the cake.”

By the time we’d finished chatting, the room had filled up. I found Mara on one of the sofas nearest the fire.

“You have that weird look in your eyes,” I said. “I’m sorry I misdiagnosed your illness last night.”

“Stop,” she said sharply.

“What? Am I pressing too hard?” I let go of her wrist. I’d been taking her pulse, which was healthy.

“No.” She pointed to my head. “I can see the wheels turning, and you keep giving me the guilty face. You didn’t do this to me. There was no way you could have possibly known what happened.”

“You could have died.” Saying the words out loud sent my mind spinning. Mara had quickly become one of my dearest friends, and my go-to human It wasn’t one-sided. We relied on each other heavily to get through the crazy world.

“Who knew water was so dangerous?”

“About that.”

She held her hand out in a stop motion. “I do remember sharing that water with Angie.” She put a hand on her forehead. “I put the water down on one of the tables by the window. Then I went and got us some of that punch, but before I drank much of it, I started feeling so strange.

“I wish we could find that bottle, but the last time I checked, nothing else was contaminated. And they can’t find the poison anywhere.” I needed to tell Ewan about our victim being near the garages with antifreeze.

“Okay, I have a question I’m afraid to ask, but you said something to Ewan earlier that made me wonder.”

“What’s that?”

“I could see why Angie’s ex might want to kill her.” She shivered. “It’s horrible, and we’ve seen enough mysteries to understand revenge. I’m sure that’s what it was. But why kill himself?”

“You aren’t the only one to wonder about the answer to that one.”

“So, what you said in our room is true? There is someone else?”

“It’s early days. Someone was in the tower with Robbie. And I can’t imagine he’d kill himself with that poison. It’s a very painful way to go.”

She grimaced. “I’m glad I didn’t have to find that out—thanks to your quick thinking.”

I waved her away.

“Ewan says no one left before the storm yesterday. I need you to be extra careful. Do not eat or drink anything that someone hands you. Promise.”

“I promise.

“Are we going to be okay? I worried maybe you were just trying to make Angie feel better. Can you imagine being a bride and all of this happens?”

“Your last blood test is all clear. And no, I can’t imagine. The stress has to be killing her. We promised we’d be here for moral support. We need to make sure she stays calm.”

“Agreed,” Mara said. “Why would anyone want to kill Angie? She’s amazing.”

“I can’t believe I’m saying this out loud, but I somewhat hope it was the ex—and he made a mistake that killed him.” I closed my eyes. “You know what I mean.”

Mara remained silent.

“Do you remember anything else about last night? I’ve asked her twice, but Angie can’t remember who handed her the bottle of water, and it’s important we find out.”

Mara closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “There was a group of us sitting with the stepmothers. They’d been playing a game with the cousins, but it turned into more of a ‘let’s talk about how bad Angie’s dad is.’ He doesn’t sound like the greatest guy to be honest.

“Angie told them to settle down. Everyone laughed, though. It was all in fun. She was thirsty, and someone said, ‘Here,’ and handed her a bottle. But I faced the other way. I’d been thinking about eating one of the raspberry truffles Jasper had made. I’d already eaten about ten.”

“Really?” Those things were so rich. One was enough for me.

“Don’t judge. I’ve seen you with a bag of chips.” She opened her eyes and then winked at me.

I held up my hands. “No judgments about food. It was more that I was impressed you could eat so many.”

“I was queasy already, and I thought maybe because it was so warm in there. Angie tried to stand, but people had crowded around her. She was sweating too. I asked if she was okay, and then she handed me the water. She said I looked hot too, but the water tasted weird to her.

“I admit I gulped a bit, but it made me feel even queasier. Is that a word?”

I nodded.

“You know I don’t drink after people, but I was so thirsty.

“Who was in that room that might want to kill Angie?”

“If her soon to be father-in-law was around, I’d put money on him. Or her horrible bridesmaids.”

That was the first I’d heard about the bridesmaids. At the hen party, most of the women appeared to get along just fine. Nevertheless, it had been so crowded, and I’d spent most of my time eyeing the exits so I could run away.

“Which bridesmaids?”

Mara scrunched up her face. “I can’t remember their names. But the one with the red hair and the super tall blond one. They were talking trash about how tacky Angie’s wedding was at the dinner last night. Was that just last night? It seems weeks ago.”

“It does. Did the bridesmaids say anything else about Angie—as in any reason they might want to cause her harm?”

Mara rubbed the bridge of her nose. “Just mean girl stuff. They think she’s marrying up to make herself into something she’s not. And then they were wondering when the hot brother would get there.”

“She needs better friends.”

Mara smiled sweetly. “I think that’s why she’s been hanging out with us so much. I don’t understand why she has them in the wedding.”

“I think most of them are cousins or friends of the family, and it’s an obligation. At least, I remember her saying that one night when she was complaining about having to bring together the United Nations for her wedding.”

“Oh, you’re right. I remember her talking about that. I could try to get more info from them if you want. I mean, your Scooby Doo gang, as you like to call us, is here at the castle. We might as well help.”

I patted her hand. “The only thing you need to do is rest. Your body has gone through trauma. You shouldn’t have been working this morning.”

She shrugged. “I feel so much better after that second IV. I’m still helping with the food prep, so at the very least, maybe I could talk to the kitchen staff, to see if anyone saw the victim.”

“Ewan and his men have done that,” I pointed out.

“Right, but they are police officers. You know how it is.”

“Okay. Be careful, though. If there is another killer, we don’t want to tip them off. Can I get you anything?” The staff had taken off the silver lids over the food, and the smells reminded me I hadn’t eaten in a long time.

“I’m good,” she said. “I tasted everything in the kitchen. I’m already full. You go ahead.”

The red-headed bridesmaid stepped in line at the banquet, and I half ran across the room to stand behind her.

“This is quite the spread,” I said softly. Three different kinds of salads, four different entrée choices, and an array of fruit and veggies had been presented.

At home, most of the time the only reason I ever had anything healthy in the fridge to eat was because Abigail stocked it. I hadn’t liked that idea at first, but the food also fed her and her brother. It worked out for all of us since I often forgot to shop.

Back in Seattle, if I couldn’t order in from an array of restaurants, I didn’t eat. It was never a problem there because there were many twenty-four-hour restaurants.

In Sea Isle, there were a couple of pubs and various shops and Jasper’s bakery, but ordering something after eight at night—well, ordering anything to be delivered wouldn’t happen.

Ewan paid for the groceries as a part of my contract. More fine print I hadn’t seen. And Abigail kept the fridge full, one of the many reasons I appreciated her.

A few people gathered behind me in line. The plates were beautiful china, with tiny blue flowers and gold filigree circling the porcelain.

In all, there were about forty or so people, plus the staff, staying at the castle. None of us would go hungry anytime soon. It dawned on me that was why Ewan had panicked when he worried the food might be contaminated.

“It’s the least they can do since they are killing people off,” a woman sneered. Her yellow sweater was too tight, as if it tried to strangle her chest and arms. She piled a hefty amount of roast and gravy on her plate. “Did you find out who did it?”

“Me?”

“You’re working with the constable—at least that’s what I heard.”

Well, darn. So much for no gossip.

“I’m a doctor,” I said.

“Yes, but Marianne said you were questioning people with the constable. And that someone tried to kill Angie and some other woman too. Is that true?”

“Who is Marianne?”

She huffed. “The blond one,” she said drolly, as if I understood what that meant.

“It could have been accidental,” I said.

Her eyebrows rose as she stared at me with piercing blue eyes.

“I’m Emilia,” I said.

“Tiffany,” she said and stuck out her elbow to bump with mine. “Did Angie tell you she stole her ex from me?”

I blinked.

I couldn’t imagine Angie stealing anything—let alone a man. It sounded like if she had, maybe she’d done Tiffany a favor.

Had this woman used Robbie to make Angie uncomfortable at her own wedding? And had she killed him for some reason?

“No, I hadn’t heard that story. I’m surprised you chose to come to the wedding—or to be in it for that matter—if you feel that way.” Totally stuck my foot in my mouth on that one.

She snorted. “I love Angie. Of course I’m here, but she isn’t the Miss Perfect everyone thinks.”

“Oh?” Angie might not be perfect, but she had a huge heart, was incredibly clever, and more importantly, she was my friend. I wouldn’t let someone be cruel, even behind her back.

She smirked. “We are friends. Have been since The Windsor School, when we were thirteen. We have a lot of history. That’s all I’m saying. She had a habit of taking other people’s boyfriends back then. I mean, they went after her, but still. There is a girl code.”

I couldn’t imagine Angie doing something like that. But she’d also dated a man who’d abused her, and lied to me about it.

Knowing the facts didn’t change the way I felt about her. No way I’d throw stones. There were parts of my past I had no desire to share with anyone. Not even my besties.

“Again, I’m confused why you—”

She waved a hand. “Oh please, that was years ago. Robbie was a real jerk. I can’t believe she put up with him for as long as she did. I’m happy for her. She caught herself a rich one.”

Tiffany was on my last nerve. “I think that’s a mutual catch. Angie is doing quite well for herself, and she’s awesome. She’s grown her business and doesn’t need a rich man to get by.”

She put two dinner rolls on her plate. “Yeah, yeah. But it doesn’t hurt to marry a hot guy with money. That’s all I’m saying.”

Full of jealousy and envy, that one. Two good motives for murder.

Toxic friends were not the kind any of us needed. Part of me felt sorry for Tiffany, who wasn’t aware of how she wore her jealousy on her sleeve.

“Do you know anyone who might want to harm Angie or had anything against Robbie?”

“Oh, so it is Robbie. No one knew for sure.”

Darn. I’d given away much more than I meant to. Ewan would be disappointed.

“He was heavy into drugs for a while. Especially after Angie broke it off with him. I’m not proud of it, but I did hook up with him for a few months right after that happened. I thought maybe I could help him, but I couldn’t take it either. He had a temper.”

Why would anyone date someone who did drugs?

Addiction wasn’t something other people could fix. The person doing the drugs had to want to change.

Stop. No judging. I’d seen women like Tiffany in the ER; sometimes they died by the hands of their abusers.

“Do you know why he might have been here? Did he maybe want to hurt Angie?”

“Hard to say,” she said. “He was pretty messed up when I left him. And that was months after the breakup. Someone said he went away and got clean. Maybe he wanted to get her back or something. He talked about that even when he was with me.”

Poor Tiffany.

“He may have been rough, but he was also a romantic. He always said she was the love of his life, but we had fun. That is, until we didn’t.”

Yet, Tiffany had still gone out with him. My sorrow for this woman grew. Her negativity was a force field.

“Do you know of anyone who may have seen him in the last few years?”

She frowned. “Maybe check with Marianne. She is—I mean was —his cousin. If anyone would know what he was up to, she might. Out of all of us, she’s probably the main one grieving him.”

Cousin? I had no idea he had family here.

Did Ewan know?

That changed the game a bit. Murder wasn’t a game, but if I didn’t look at it like Clue—it was sometimes a bit difficult for me to wrap my mind around the idea of people killing one another.

I saw the worst in the ER, but everything moved so fast, and I honed that separation between my patients and myself.

Being a coroner was different. I sometimes had to put my mind into the victim’s; the minds of the people I interviewed; and when possible, the mind of the killer.

I’d never be a profiler, but I did try to understand motivations.

“Which one is she? You said the blond one.” I waved out toward the room, which had filled up with more guests.

“Over there in the corner. With that horrid outfit—how can you miss her? Satin. Who wears satin to a casual mixer?”

Then Tiffany headed toward the bar, with her full plate.

Well, to the top of my list of suspects she went. Jealousy was a good motivation for wanting to kill someone’s happiness. Tiffany was full of resentment as well.

Maybe she hadn’t been so distant from Robbie. We’d heard he could be quite charming when he wasn’t on drugs. They could have developed a scheme to disrupt the wedding, but then why kill him before he could try?

Tiffany flirted with the bartender and then laughed a little too loudly.

Yes, she was at the top of my list.