Free Dead Men's Tales (Olivia Grant Mysteries Book 2) by Phyllis A. Humphrey

the tears away.
    I felt even more uncomfortable. Not only did I have to ask personal questions, but I'd reminded her of a painfully tragic event. However, circumstances had thrust me into the role of apprentice-detective, and Debra had come to Brad for help, so like it or not, I forced down my uneasiness and continued.
    "For what it's worth, Amanda denies anything between them."
    "I'm glad."
    "However, she said other things that need to be checked."
    "What things?"
    "She said she saw both you and your mother go near the linen room that night."
    "I told you, we went to the ladies' room, which happened to be in the same hallway. I didn't go in the room where Daddy had gone. I didn't know which one it was. Is Amanda trying to throw suspicion on my mother? She may have been jealous, but she wouldn't kill him."
    "And you," I added.
    "Me? That's even more ridiculous. What motive could I possibly have?"
    "Amanda says she heard rumors that you're involved with a man your father disapproved of."
    There, I'd said it. I watched for Debra's reaction. Her face reddened. Her hands, which had been crumpling the tissue as if getting ready to throw it in a wastebasket, suddenly froze. The next moment, she turned away from me and tossed it. When she turned back again, her eyes and lips had narrowed.
    "Did she name this person?"
    "No." Of course, Novotny had named James Powell, but I didn't want to bring Novotny's name into it.
    She seemed to think about that first. "Who I see in my personal life has nothing to do with my father's murder."
    "Then you aren't seeing someone he didn't approve of?"
    "Even if I were, that wouldn't make me guilty of killing him."
    I didn't want to say that Brad thought it possible, so I blamed it on Amanda. "Amanda hinted you might have considered it an important issue and that perhaps your father threatened to cut you out of his will."
    "That sounds like something from one of the old 1940s movies they run on channel thirty-six." She lowered her voice. "I'm sorry, but it's just preposterous."
    "I'm sorry too, but you can see that I had to ask the question, just for the record."
    "I understand."
    I felt she considered the matter closed, and I couldn't bring myself to reopen it, but I knew something else. By not denying it, Debra had clearly indicated she was involved with a person her father might have considered unsuitable. Like a panhandler with halitosis. I still didn't believe she'd kill her father because he disapproved—I hoped my instincts were better than that—but I couldn't help thinking she hadn't told me everything.
    I got to my feet. "Well, I'll be on my way. If you should think of anything we ought to know, please call."
    "Of course." She stood and opened her office door for me. "Have you told Mother that Amanda denied having an affair with Father?"
    "Not yet."
    "I'll do it. Maybe that will cheer her up a little. Personally, I've never believed it. That sort of thing just doesn't happen in our family."
    Oh, sure. Like murder.
     
    *  *   *
     
    Back in the office, I typed what I could remember of my conversation with Debra. Before I finished, Brad came in and asked what I was working on.
    "My conversation with Debra. Since I know your client this time, I'm naturally anxious to help you solve the case."
    He came up behind me, leaned over my shoulder, and read what I'd typed. "So, is Debra having an affair with Powell?"
    "I just came from her office, and I asked her point blank about having an affair. She evaded my question but denied anything like that would have made her kill her father."
    "You're evading the question. Is she seeing the guy?"
    "She never mentioned a name, and I didn't ask about Powell." I went on the defensive to avoid criticism. "If you'll just leave me alone for a few minutes, I'll finish typing up my notes, and you can see for yourself." I turned my chair around toward the computer again. "I didn't take your other recorder, but I have a good memory, you know."
    "You have a