Murder And Rubber Chicken

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Murder And Rubber Chicken - book excerpt

One

“For a hundred dollars a plate, you’d think we would get something better than five-day-old rubber chicken and green beans out of a can,” Wade Dalton said to his fiancée, Sam Cates.

She replied, “I’m only here because I support the addition to the Evergreen Library. It’s also sorta expected as part of the job.”

“You’re the Sheriff, not the Librarian.”

“I know, but we’re supposed to mix with the public and put on a good face for the department. I would have preferred to make an anonymous donation instead.”

“Me too.”

“Hey kids. How are ya‘ll doing?” A booming voice resounded from directly behind Wade.

“Uncle Ken. What are you doing here?”

“Same as you. Except I’d rather be at Popeye’s, but your aunt decided we should attend. She’s afraid some of her social friends would be here and then ask her where she was if she didn’t come.”

“Where are you seated?”

Ken Willis pointed to the back of the room.

“As far back as they could put us. I guess my hundred dollars doesn’t count as much as being the Sheriff of Evergreen County.” He laughed.

“How is Aunt Marian doing?”

“Just as mean and ornery as a wild boar in rut.”

“Uncle Ken, you don’t mean that. She is as gentle as a lamb.”

“Hah. You need to come around when I don’t make it in on time to suit her. She’s not a lamb at two o’clock in the morning. I can assure you of that.”

Sam laughed. “I don’t blame her. If you weren’t our chasing girls half your age, she probably wouldn’t be so upset.”

He grinned. “It’s when I catch one she really gets mad.”

Ken strode confidently away from the table towards his wife in the rear of the hall.

Wade leaned over to Sam. “He seems like a piece of work. I’ve only met him once.”

“Uncle Ken? He’s more than a piece of work. He’s tried his lines on every skirt in south Mississippi. Aunt Marian has tried to get him counseling several times, but it never works.”

“Are we going to stay for the speech? We could sneak out now and go get some actual food.”

“No, we can’t sneak out. I have to speak to the mayor when he finishes with his speech.”

“With him talking, we might be here until midnight.”

“Hush, he’s starting to speak. Finish your chicken.”

“For what we paid, I should be eating Kobe beef.”

“Shh. Act your age, little boy.”

The mayor had only warmed up when a loud scream from the back of the hall interrupted him. All eyes turns toward the lady standing beside her table, looking down at the figure slumped over his plate.

“Oh my God! That’s Aunt Marian!”

Sam leapt from her chair and sprinted towards her aunt. Wade followed her step for step. Reaching the table, they saw Ken Willis lifeless upper body draped over his plate. Sam checked his pulse and pulled him back in his chair. Wade could smell the faint aroma of almonds in the air.

“Cyanide, Sam. He’s been poisoned.”

“Okay. Everyone back away from the table. Don’t touch anything. We have to preserve it for evidence.”

Wade put his hand on Sam’s shoulder.

“I’ll take care of this if you want to be with your aunt.”

She looked at him with tears in her eyes.

“Thanks.”

Sam rose and escorted her aunt out of the room. Wade stood by the table ensuring nothing was disturbed until the detectives from the sheriff’s office arrived. When they got to the table, Wade pointed to the people who had been seated with Ken Willis. He then went to find his fiancée and her aunt.