Page 54 of Killer on the First Page
But was he? Miranda wondered. A friend? Everyone seemed antsy over Kane’s death, but no one seemed particularly upset by it.
Penny Fenland had something else on her mind. She kept trying to make eye contact with Miranda, who knew what the question was:Are you coming to LA?AndWhy aren’t you more excited about it? We’re talking a starring role in your own series!The murder had taken Miranda’s mind off Penny’s incredibly gracious offer, but the offer was always there, nonetheless, in the background:To go or not to go. That was the question.
Ray Valentine’s professional demeanor, meanwhile, had given way to ire. “For the last time, you can’t hold us here!” he told Andrew. “We’re not under arrest.”
“Material witnesses,” said Edgar, cutting in. Edgar had written enough crime stories to know the law, or at least bluff his way through it. “You know full well, Ray, that a person can be detained without arrest for”—he made up a number—“Twenty-six hours. Atticus will back me up on that. Right, Atticus?”
Atticus, thrown for a loop, could only say, “That—that never really comes up on a real estate agreement.”
From the back of the room, Scoop said, “Can I quote you on that, Edgar?”
“Do whatever you like. Just make sure you add that I Only Read Murder will be having a sale on all Kane Hamady novels this weekend. Two for the price of one if you sign up for our loyalty program.”
Andrew: “We have a loyalty program?”
“We do now,” Edgar said from the side of his mouth.
In a sweep of satiny green, arms wide in full theatrical embrace, Miranda declaimed, “Ladies and gentlemen! Your attention, please. In the interest of harmony and work-togetherness, allow me to intercede on young Andrew’s behalf. I shall telephone our Chief of Police for an update on this matter, and I’m sure an equitable arrangement can be made.” These were the words Miranda’s agent often used when they were fighting with the network over residuals. Miranda held out her palm with a regal confidence. “Andrew, darling, your phone.”
Andrew dialed, handed it to Miranda, but then snatched it back as soon as Ned answered.
“Chief Buckley? It’s me. Deputy Nguyen. Listen. There’s a revolt on hand!”
Miranda could hear Ned’s response: “Stall.”
Cupping his hand over the receiver, Andrew turned his back to the others and whispered frantically, “I can’t. It’s way past that. Can I go to the station, get the riot gear?”
In the background, Officer Holly’s voice could be heard shouting “Clear!”
“We’re at the B&B,” said Ned. “No sign of Fairfax. You can release everyone as long as they promise to come directly back to their rooms. I don’t want them wandering around town, crossing paths with Fairfax before Officer Holly and I can flush him out.”
Miranda, leaning in next to Andrew, shouted, “Any sign of the crossbow?”
“Is that Miranda?”
“Bea said she would keep your salmon in tinfoil in case you get hungry tonight,” Miranda added.
“Salmon and crossbows?”
She took the phone from Andrew. “Unrelated, Ned. Do keep up,darling. Am I correct in assuming that we have yet to locate the murder weapon?”
“We? There is no we.”
“Hello? Hello?” She handed the phone back to Andrew. “I think he hung up.” Then, to her herself: “A crossbow is most unwieldy. Very bulky. Kane could have hidden one in his voluminous overcoat, but Mr. DePoy was dressed much more snugly and, it must be said, more fashionably than the late Mr. Hamady. If he did kill Hamady, how did Fairfax DePoy transport the crossbow to the bookstore without being spotted?”
“Maybe he planted it ahead of time?” said Andrew.
“He was on the lighthouse tour today. But the authors arrived yesterday. Hmm.”
“Can I tell the authors they’re free to go now?” Andrew asked, eyeing the mob as though expecting a full-blown mutiny at any moment.
But Miranda’s thoughts were elsewhere. “Andrew, do you recall Laurén Morocco—or was it Läuren Morocco?—the Gumshoe Debutante?”
“Your character’s recurring foe on the TV show.”
“Yes, Pastor Fran’s rival investigator. I can’t remember which actress was playing her at the time, but in one episode the Gumshoe Debutante had to fire a message across a parade ground using a crossbow, to alert the authorities before I could get to them, thereby pre-empting my victory and stealing my thunder.”
“I remember that episode! You caught the arrow in midair, foiling her plans. My mom was so upset with the Gumshoe Debutante, saying, ‘Why is she always one-upping Pastor Fran? She is a nefarious person!’ Quite impressed with your arrow-catching skills, though.”
