Page 33 - Labelle Gramercy, On the Case

Polished Off

“Oh, Lieutenant: that reminds me. Linsey Doyle is stuck behind that
desk with that shoe polish smell hanging in the atmosphere. Could
you let her get out of there for a while? She might as well close the
place for business today.” If not forever, I mentally postscripted.
“A good idea, Mr. Keane. Please tell her to come outside.”
I re-entered Bibliopoly, holding my breath, and walked as quickly
as I could to the cash register. “Linsey,” I gasped, forced to exhale.
“The lieutenant said you could leave.”
She smiled, almost relaxing into laughter. I could imagine her
relief. I turned and left the shop in a trot. Once again Labelle was
coming toward me, this time from the other direction.
“I told her,” I said. “And I think the shop should be cleaned out
and fumigated before anyone tries to sell another book.”
“Yet another practical suggestion, Counselor. You clearly have
your late client’s interests at heart.”
I must have fairly beamed, receiving so much approbation from
such a severe critic. Labelle pointed toward Esprit Decor.
“Perhaps you should stand over there by the uniformed officer for
a minute, Mr. Keane. I want to have a word with Linsey Doyle.”
“Certainly. Glad to oblige.” The niece was not my client, nor was I
certain I wanted her as one.
The young woman came out of the shop, swinging her bag in the
insouciant fashion of so many girls I have observed of late. Labelle
confronted her.
“Linsey Doyle, you are under arrest for the murder of Mariana S.
Trench.”
“What?” I’m not sure if I said it or Linsey did.
“You do not need to discuss it here,” said Labelle. “I am required
by law to inform you that although you are entitled to counsel, any
remarks you make will be recorded and taken into evidence.”
Now Linsey became flushed and angry. “You’re crazy! I loved my
aunt! You’ve got no proof!”
“On the contrary. Proof, in the sense of incontrovertible physical
evidence, will be uncovered during a search of your residence and
belongings, and an accounting of the nitrobenzene stock at your
school of cosmetology. For now, I will say only that you had an
obvious motive, the acquisition of this property before Megashelf
withdrew its offer; the means, in the form of knowledge of the

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