Sweet Essence of Murder

“Now, now. ladies,” Delaney said, drawing in a deep breath. “It’s one thing to sit at you computer and push a bunch of characters around in a murder mystery and another to solve a real case.”

The Lieutenant’s patronizing attitude was enough to rile Hortense. “What are you saying, Lieutenant,” she fumed. “That we’re incapable of solving this murder because we’re writers and not police officers? Is that what you’re saying?”

“This isn’t a game, Miss Prescott. Murder is a serious crime. Not only are you unqualified, I don’t want either one of you interfering in a police matter. Have I made myself clear?”

“Loud and clear.” An angry Hortense retorted.

“If it wasn’t for us, Lieutenant,” Phoebe sobbed, “you still wouldn’t know whose body it was.”

“Very good point, Phoebe.”

“Thank you, Hortense.”

“You know, Lieutenant, I’m working on my fourteenth novel and---How many mysteries have you written, Hortense?”

“To tell you the truth, I’ve lost count.”

“So you see, Lieutenant, between the two of us we’ve solved more murders than you have in your life time.”

“On paper,” he heatedly retorted. “But at the moment the two of you are suspects in a real murder case. Now how does that grab you?”

“Suspects,” Hortense laughed. “You can’t be serious.”

“Oh, but I am. And when I know the exact time of death, I hope both of you have an airtight alibi. Now ladies, if you don’t mind leaving, the Sergeant and I have a lot of work to do. But keep in mind there is a law against the obstruction of justice, is that clear?” His eyes rested on Hortense in fair warning.

They nodded in unison.

Delaney watched as the two women rose from the couch and headed for the front door.

“What gives, Lieutenant?” Sharp asked. “You were kind’a hard on them.”

“Was I?” Delaney grinned. “You can be sure that’s not the end of them. When you tell a woman not to do something, she’ll damn well go ahead and do it all the more.”

Holly burst out in a fit of uncontrollable laughter. “You certainly used an excellent example. I get the picture.”

Arlene’s laughter joined hers. “Well now you understand how it worked. You know something, it’s not such a bad idea at that. If I murdered Greg, you’d have an airtight alibi. And if you murdered DJ, I’d have an airtight alibi. Neither one of us would be suspects since we’ve never met each others husband or friends.”

“That’s true,” Holly nodded. “No one could link us together.”

For the longest time, neither one said a word.

“I’m curious,” Holly grinned. “How would you kill Greg, if you had the opportunity?”

“Mmm. . . that’s a hard one,” Arlene frowned. “First of all, I’d have to know everything there is to know about him, which I practically know already. Then, I’d have to have access to your house just to get some idea as to how he lives. After that, I’d have to come up with an idea on how to murder him.”

“Sounds complicated.”

“No, not really. Once you know everything there is to know about a person, such as their strengths and weaknesses, it leaves you with the upper hand. The best part is getting away with it by having an alibi.”

Another seemingly long silence passed between them.

“Do you honestly think we could bet away with it?” Holly asked.

“Away with what?” Arlene frowned.

“Killing each other’s husband.”

After giving her words thought Arlene finally answered. “Yes, I think we could if . . . and that’s a big if. If we put our minds together and we planned it right.”

“Honestly,” Holly smiled, “it sounds like it would be enticing. What a challenge it would be, planning their murders on paper, just to see if we could get away with it."

“It sure does,” Arlene agreed. “It’s more intriguing than playing a game of Monopoly.”

“Why don’t we do it, just for the fun of it?”

“Right on!” Arlene laughed. “There’s nothing stopping us. Might help to release all our aggressions.”

In the weeks that followed, every spare moment Holly and Arlene had was spent dutifully recording tidbits of information about their husbands. Each Tuesday they’d exchange lists.