Page 5 - Labelle Gramercy, On the Case

Polished Off

was taking inventory of the contents of a nearby bookshelf. I guessed
that any clients in the shop when the body was discovered either fled
or had been detained and released already.
“Hello, Iris.”
She did seem surprised to see me; even the gum-chewing skipped
a cycle.
“First of the vultures. Well, I haven’t cleaned out the cash register
yet, P.G. How about sending out for some sandwiches? A girl could
lose her strength without adequate sustenance in these trying times.
The cops want me here to answer questions.”
“I suppose so, if there are no objections.” As executor of the
estate, I made a mental note to start adding up any expenses I might
justifiably incur. “What’s going on here? Where’s Linsey?” Mariana’s
niece, part-time employee and heir presumptive.
“Should be sitting in this chair. Supposed to spell me during the
incredible upsurge of business during the lunch hour. Promptness
ain’t her strong suit. She did call about half an hour ago to say she
had car trouble, so I gave her the news. Might get her here sooner,
might not.”
Iris’s sour disposition had an authenticity Mariana’s cloying
sweetness lacked. I could not tell if she were anticipating the
inevitable changes in the conditions of her employment with
trepidation or glee. Perhaps this would provide the impetus to
seeking another job elsewhere, more in line with her talents—like
answering the telephone for the Spanish Inquisition.
I glanced at the yellow tape barring entrance to the office behind
Iris. “I will need to look at the books, but obviously not until the
police permit me access. Who is the book-keeper? Has there been an
audit recently? I see your assistant is taking stock over there. Why?
Do you think anything was stolen in the confusion?”
She grimaced, and it couldn’t make her any less prepossessing.
“Too many questions at once, P.G. Yeah, some nerd in a corduroy
jacket does her books every month and takes care of the government
stuff. There wasn’t any confusion and it will be a cold day in hell
before I have an assistant.”
“Oh. Then who—” I turned to my right to face the tall woman
who had been studying the stacks only a moment before. She was
gone.

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