Free Father’s Day Murder by Leslie Meier Page A

“Just like the unpopular kid who brings cupcakes for the whole class and gets elected to the student council.”
    â€œThe papers still suck,” said Jim. “Especially the Northampton News . It’s nothing but a mouthpiece for alternative lifestyles. What a rag.”
    â€œGay rights,” said Kevin.
    â€œCivil unions,” added Steve.
    â€œAt least it’s a liberal viewpoint,” countered Sylvia. “If you ask me, the Republican is a lot worse. Harold’s practically nominated Ronald Reagan for sainthood.”
    â€œI don’t think Reagan is even Catholic,” said Mildred, looking worried.
    â€œI was just making a point,” said Sylvia.
    â€œDon’t worry, dear,” said Arthur, patting his wife’s hand. “Eleanor will make sure Saint Peter doesn’t let him in.”
    â€œI think we’re getting off the track here,” said Sullivan, consulting his notebook. “There was apparently some sort of disagreement between Luther and his son, Junior, just before the banquet. Did any of you notice anything like that during the banquet?”
    â€œHe came in here like he was the Duke of Earl or something,” said Herb with a snort. “People were falling all over themselves to greet him.”
    Lucy nodded, remembering. She wondered how much of the enthusiastic welcome Luther had received had been genuine. Were people truly happy to congratulate him or had they merely been going through the motions, caught up in the moment?
    â€œLuther and Junior both greeted me,” said Ted. “There didn’t seem to be any tension between them that I noticed.”
    â€œMe, either,” said Herb.
    â€œEveryone seemed to be behaving,” said Harriet. “Even Sam Syrjala.”
    â€œSam Syrjala?” asked the detective, writing the name down. “Who’s he? Is he usually a problem?”
    Sylvia snorted. “You could say that. He’s the editor, and I mean that in the loosest possible sense, of Pioneer’s Hartford paper, the Gazette.”
    â€œSam has a bit of a drinking problem,” said Mildred.
    â€œHe’s a lush,” said Jim.
    â€œHe’s a member of the family?” asked Sullivan.
    â€œPractically,” said Arthur. “He and Harold are old buddies.”
    The detective made another note, then looked up. “Okay, the Read party make their entrance, they greet people, then they sit down. They’re at the next table. Did you notice anything unusual?”
    â€œEverything was fine until he started sneezing,” said Lucy. “I thought it was some sort of allergic attack that was triggering an asthmatic reaction—my daughter has asthma, so I know the symptoms. It seemed like he was trying to downplay it, kind of denying it was happening, which is what people tend to do in that situation, especially if they’re in public. The coughing and wheezing got worse and he finally left the room, holding a handkerchief over his face. I figured he was going out to take his medicine. Once you take it, it’s very quick-acting.”
    â€œLuther left the room by himself?”
    Ted and several others nodded.
    â€œJunior eventually followed him out of the room, and when he came back he said his father had collapsed.” Lucy’s voice broke, as she remembered Junior’s expression, outwardly calm and collected but betrayed by his eyes, which darted around the room frantically seeking help. “I guess the inhaler didn’t work.”
    â€œI heard Monica Underwood say something about giving him a fresh one that morning,” said Mildred. “It must have been defective.”
    â€œOr somebody made sure it didn’t work,” said Jim. “Somebody who had a lot to lose if Luther got his way and the sale didn’t go through.”
    â€œThere’s no need to jump to conclusions,” cautioned Sullivan. “I’m just looking for facts,