Free Dead Hot Shot (Loon Lake Fishing Mysteries) by Victoria Houston Page A

someone has just died. Did she have a heart attack? I tried to tell her — ”
    “It’s premature to determine the precise cause of death,” said Lew.
    “Oh, an accident,” said Karen. Lew did not correct her. “Well, then.” Karen spun around towards the van, then turned back again. “I mean, what do I do now? Like with the food?”
    Leaning back to read the lettering on the van, Lew said, “You’re ‘Gilley’s Catering’ — all the way from Rhinelander I see.”
    “Yes. My business is based there but I live here in Loon Lake. I have a commercial kitchen in both locations. We did the party last night, too, but today it’s just me dropping off their turkey and the fixings. I wasn’t planning to stay.”
    “You were here last night?” said Lew.
    “Yes — ” Karen’s tone was tentative, as if hoping that wasn’t a bad thing.
    “Well, Karen, if you don’t mind, Dr. Osborne and I would like to ask you a few questions about the evening.”
    “Sure, but why Dr. Osborne?” Karen looked more confused. “I thought you were a dentist.”
    “I’m retired from my practice — ”
    “But only from his practice,” said Lew, interrupting. “The Loon Lake Police Department is working hard at keeping Doc busy. Given his experience in dental forensics, he has been kind enough to serve as deputy coroner on occasion — and he assists with interrogations when I’m shorthanded. Today being a national holiday, I’m shorthanded.” Lew grinned at Osborne. “He’s been a good egg to help out.”
    “Second career, huh?” said Karen, relaxing. “That’s me, too. Spent twenty years teaching middle school, but this is a lot more fun. Here, let me close the van door so I can keep the food warm while we talk.”

CHAPTER 11
    If it helps, I know everyone who was here last night,” said Karen, her face flushed but eager. “Even though Mrs. Reece said she’d sent fifty invitations, we only had twelve for dinner: the Reeces, of course, then Barry — he’s Blue’s fiancé — and his folks, the Murphys, and six more guests. Oh — plus myself and the two people helping me.”
    “And is that everyone who was on the property last night?” said Lew.
    “What about a clean-up crew?” said Osborne.
    “We handled that. When I cater an event it’s turnkey — everything from start to finish. Every last coffee cup and wine glass washed before we leave. Now, Chief Ferris, I can give you the names of all the guests, too. We made up place cards and that list is in a basket on the desk in the Reeces’ kitchen — right through that door,” she said, pointing.
    “Was Mrs. Reece upset that she sent all those invitations but so few people came?” said Osborne. Mary Lee would have been apoplectic if that had happened to her.
    “Not really. She knew when she sent the invitations that most of the Lake Forest people wouldn’t be able to make it. I mean, it was the night before Thanksgiving. ‘But I get credit for the invitation’ is how she put it. Frankly, I think she planned the party for that night on purpose. For all her money, Nolan Reece can be tight about the strangest things.”
    “Karen, if you think back over the evening was there anything unusual?” said Lew. “Mrs. Reece’s behavior? Did she spend a lot of time with anyone in particular? Did she seem worried about anything? What about the guests — any one of them out of kilter?”
    “Um-m-m.” Thrusting her hands into the pockets of her wind-breaker and leaning back against the van, Karen mulled over the questions. She shook her head. “Y’know, not that I was aware — and I’ve catered a number of parties here: Memorial Day, the Fourth of July.
    “It tends to be the same crowd if that’s significant: her lawyer, her stockbroker and their wives. Then there’s always Barry’s mother, Miriam. His father not so often. Mr. Murphy’s quite elderly and has trouble getting around. But Miriam always comes. She and Mrs. Reece are best friends — I