JamesPatterson &BrianSitts
HOLMES, MARGARET AND POE
“Veryfewofusarewhatweseem.”
AGATHA CHRISTIE
“Veryfewofusarewhatweseem.”
AGATHA CHRISTIE
Last year
THEVACANTINDUSTRIALspacethatRealtorGretchenWikwastryingtounloadwaslocatedinarecentlygentrifiedBrooklyn neighborhoodcalledBushwick.Theareawasbecomingtrendierbythemonth,butthisparticularbuildingwascoldanddead andapparentlyunsellable.
Gretchenhadbeensittingathersalestableonthefirstfloorsincenoon,tappinghernailswhileshestaredoutthrougha grime-coatedwindow.Infivehours,shehadnotbeenvisitedbyasingleprospect.
Thepropertyconsistedofninethousandsquarefeetontwolevels Butitwasrun-downandneededalotofwork Atthis point,Gretchenfeltlikethewornwoodfloorsandflakingbrickwallsweremockingher.Shecheckedherwatch.Inexactly twominutes,heropenhousewouldofficiallybeabust.
Thensheheardthefrontdooropen.
“Hello?”Avoicefromtheentryhall.Gretchen’spulseperkedup.Shepushedbackherchairandwalkedbrisklytowardthe door,herthree-inchheelsclickingonthehardwood Sheroundedthecornertotheentryway
“It’s you!”saidatall,light-skinnedBlackmaninacamelovercoat.Forasecond,Gretchenwasthrown.Thentheman pointedatthefoldingsigninthefoyer,theonewithGretchen’sfaceplasteredonit
“Right.Yes,”saidGretchen,turningonherbestsmile.“PositiveID.”Sheheldoutherhand.“GretchenWik,Lexington Realty.”
“Brendan,”saidthevisitor,“Holmes.”Hehadlargebrowneyesandaneatlyshavedhead.Gretchendidherroutinetwosecondoverview.Coat:expensive,welltailored.Shoes:AlexanderMcQueen.Thisguymightbealookie-loo,butatleasthe didn’tseemlikeatotalwasteoftime Andrightnow,hewastheonlygameintown “Welcometoyourfuture,”saidGretchen.Shewavedherarmtowardtheopenspace.Thensheheardthedooropeningagain. “Sorry,haveImissedit?”Anothermalevoice
Thistimeitwasafit,compactmanwithwavy,darkhairandthekindofthinmoustachethatcanlookeithersillyorsexy, dependingontheowner.Onhim,Gretchenthoughtitworked kindofbroodingandrakishatthesametime.Mostimportant,he wasanotherprospect Thedaywaslookingup
“You’reinluck,”shesaid.“Rightunderthewire.”
“I’mAuguste AugustePoe”Softvoice,withasolemntone Andtheslightestwispofliquoronhisbreath
“I’mGretchen,”saidtheagent.Shepausedforasecondasthenamesregistered. Wait. Firstsomebodynamed Holmes, and now Poe?Whatweretheodds?Orwasthissomekindofput-on?
BeforeGretchencouldaskanyquestions,bothmenwalkedaheadofherintothemainspace.Shecaughtupandlaunched intoherspiel thesameoneshe’dbeenpracticingatherlonelytableallmorning.
“Gentlemen,you’relookingattheverybestbargaininBushwick Latenineteenthcenturyconstruction,slateroof,terracotta details,originalskylights…”
“Pardonme?Anybodyhome?”Thedooragain Afemalevoicethistime,withacharmingBritishaccent Gretchenswitchedonhergreetingsmileagain,gettingevenmoreexcited.Twominutesago,shehadzeroprospects. Now,suddenly,shehadthree
Last year
THEVACANTINDUSTRIALspacethatRealtorGretchenWikwastryingtounloadwaslocatedinarecentlygentrifiedBrooklyn neighborhoodcalledBushwick.Theareawasbecomingtrendierbythemonth,butthisparticularbuildingwascoldanddead andapparentlyunsellable.
Gretchenhadbeensittingathersalestableonthefirstfloorsincenoon,tappinghernailswhileshestaredoutthrougha grime-coatedwindow.Infivehours,shehadnotbeenvisitedbyasingleprospect.
Thepropertyconsistedofninethousandsquarefeetontwolevels Butitwasrun-downandneededalotofwork Atthis point,Gretchenfeltlikethewornwoodfloorsandflakingbrickwallsweremockingher.Shecheckedherwatch.Inexactly twominutes,heropenhousewouldofficiallybeabust.
Thensheheardthefrontdooropen.
“Hello?”Avoicefromtheentryhall.Gretchen’spulseperkedup.Shepushedbackherchairandwalkedbrisklytowardthe door,herthree-inchheelsclickingonthehardwood Sheroundedthecornertotheentryway
“It’s you!”saidatall,light-skinnedBlackmaninacamelovercoat.Forasecond,Gretchenwasthrown.Thentheman pointedatthefoldingsigninthefoyer,theonewithGretchen’sfaceplasteredonit
“Right.Yes,”saidGretchen,turningonherbestsmile.“PositiveID.”Sheheldoutherhand.“GretchenWik,Lexington Realty.”
“Brendan,”saidthevisitor,“Holmes.”Hehadlargebrowneyesandaneatlyshavedhead.Gretchendidherroutinetwosecondoverview.Coat:expensive,welltailored.Shoes:AlexanderMcQueen.Thisguymightbealookie-loo,butatleasthe didn’tseemlikeatotalwasteoftime Andrightnow,hewastheonlygameintown “Welcometoyourfuture,”saidGretchen.Shewavedherarmtowardtheopenspace.Thensheheardthedooropeningagain. “Sorry,haveImissedit?”Anothermalevoice
Thistimeitwasafit,compactmanwithwavy,darkhairandthekindofthinmoustachethatcanlookeithersillyorsexy, dependingontheowner.Onhim,Gretchenthoughtitworked kindofbroodingandrakishatthesametime.Mostimportant,he wasanotherprospect Thedaywaslookingup
“You’reinluck,”shesaid.“Rightunderthewire.”
“I’mAuguste AugustePoe”Softvoice,withasolemntone Andtheslightestwispofliquoronhisbreath
“I’mGretchen,”saidtheagent.Shepausedforasecondasthenamesregistered. Wait. Firstsomebodynamed Holmes, and now Poe?Whatweretheodds?Orwasthissomekindofput-on?
BeforeGretchencouldaskanyquestions,bothmenwalkedaheadofherintothemainspace.Shecaughtupandlaunched intoherspiel thesameoneshe’dbeenpracticingatherlonelytableallmorning. “Gentlemen,you’relookingattheverybestbargaininBushwick Latenineteenthcenturyconstruction,slateroof,terracotta details,originalskylights…”
“Pardonme?Anybodyhome?”Thedooragain Afemalevoicethistime,withacharmingBritishaccent Gretchenswitchedonhergreetingsmileagain,gettingevenmoreexcited.Twominutesago,shehadzeroprospects. Now,suddenly,shehadthree
“AMITOO late?”thewomanasked “Notatall,”saidtheRealtor.“I’mGretchen.”
“I’mMargaretMarple”
Hold on, thoughtGretchen. Holmes. Poe. Andnow Marple??
Sheregisteredaquickimpressionofthenewarrival:Attractive,butnotflashy.Minimalmakeup.Tweedskirtwithan inexpensivetop.Theaccentwasrefined.Thelookwaspractical.
“Ihavetoask,”saidGretchen.“Yournames…”
“Tellmesomething,”saidHolmes,ignoringtheimpendingquestion Hewaspickingapieceofloosemortarfromabrick wall.“Whyisitstillonthemarket?”
Gretchenclearedherthroat “I’msorry,what?”Nevermindthenames Shehadsomesellingtodo “Yourpricepersquarefootdroppedfromsixforty-fivetofiveninetyintwoweeks,”saidHolmes.“SoI’mjustwondering …”Hestoppedmid-sentenceandwrinkledhisnose.“Whatisthatsmell?” Gretchenrealizedthatshewasnowplayingdefense.“Well,thebuildingusedtobeabakery,”shesaid.“Maybeit’s…?” “No,”Holmessaidfirmly,movingtowardtheothersideoftheroom.“Thisisrecent andquitecaustic.”
Whenhereachedthelargefactorywindowononewallofthespace,hepushedthebottomhalfopenandleanedout “There wasatattooparlornextdoor,”hesaid.Itwasastatement,notaquestion.PoeandMarplewalkedovertojoinHolmesatthe window
Gretchenwasfamiliarwiththeview,anditwasn’tgreat.Herprospectswerelookingattheneighboringbuilding,aonestorywreckwithacorrugateddoorsealingthefront.Plasticbinsandtrashlitteredasmallpavedareaattherear.
“Icancheckthepropertyrecords,”saidGretchen,tryingtoglidepasttheunsavorysubject “Iknowit’sunoccupiedatthe moment.”
“PAHs,”saidHolmes “Pardon?”saidGretchen.
“Polycyclicaromatichydrocarbons Usedinblackinks Theyhaveabitofacar-tiretaint” “Funny,”saidGretchen.“Idon’tsmellathing.”
“I’mhyperosmic,”saidHolmes.“Blessingandacurse.”
Gretchenrealizedthatshewasquicklylosingcontrolofthetour “Sorry,Idon’t ” “Unnaturallyacutesenseofsmell,”saidHolmes.“Ageneticfluke.”
“Maybeweshouldcheckoutthesecondfloor?”Gretchenhinted,pointingtowardarustedmetalstaircase Poegesturedgraciously.“Ladiesfirst.”Gretchentookthelead,prayingthatthecorrodedtreadswouldsupporttheweightof fourpeople Thesecondfloorwasaswide-openandemptyasthefirst,exceptforascatteringofabandonedofficefurniture “Takeyourtime,”saidGretchen.“Anyquestions,justask.”
AsMarpleranafingeracrossadustybookshelf,Holmesdippedtoonekneeandscratchedafloorplankwithhisfingernail. “Low-gradepine,”hemumbled Hepulledasmallmetalballfromhispocket,placeditonthefloor,andwatcheditrolllazily towardthewall.“Two-point-five-centimeterslope,”headdedwithafrown.
Gretchenwastryingtodecidewhichofthethreesheshouldfocuson Holmeswasclearlyafastidiousnitpicker,maybeeven obsessive.Marpleseemedquietandthoughtful.Poewashardertoread.Gretchenstudiedhisfaceashepulledopenthetop drawerofacreakingmetalofficefilingcabinetandpeekedin.Hehadn’tsmiledoncesincehearrived,buttherewas somethingdarklymagneticabouthim.
“JustsoI’mclear,”Gretchenasked,realizingherthreeprospectsmightbeshoppingtogether,“areallofyou…?” “MyGod!”Poeexclaimed “Murder!”
GretchenfrozeasPoepulledayellowednewspaperclippingoutofafile.Hisexpressionturnedevenmoredour.“Someone waskilledhere,”hesaid “What?”saidHolmes,suddenlyenergized. “Really?”saidMarple.
Poewavedtheclipping.“Takealook.”
Hesmoothedthescrapofnewsprintontopofthefile.Gretchen’sgutwaschurning.Thesellerhadwarnedheraboutthis grimhistoricalfactoid Dammit!Sheshouldhavecheckedthedrawersbeforetheshowing MarpleranherfingerdownthearticleandturnedtoGretchen.“Soit’strue?”
Gretchenclearedherthroat “I’dheardrumors,”shesaidcarefully,“but ” “Notarumor,”snappedHolmes.“It’srighthereinblackandwhite.”
GretchensteppedcloserandlookedoverPoe’sshoulder.Thepaperwasbrittle,butthetypewasclear. DEATHINABAKERY, theheadlineread.Andunderneath,“YoungGirlSlainBeforeDawn.”Theone-columnstorywasaccompaniedbyaphotograph ofabuilding Thebuildingtheywerein.
“Herthroatwasslit,”saidPoe “Onthefloorrightbelowus In1954 Shewasjustnineteen” Marplewinced.“Thatpoorchild.”
Gretchenpicturedhercommissionevaporatingbeforehereyes Shedidaquickmentalcalculation,readytocutthepriceon thespot.Whothehellwouldpayalmostsixhundreddollarspersquarefootforamurdersite?
Beforeshecouldfloatanewnumber,allthreeofherprospectsturnedandspokeatonce. “We’ll take it!”
GretchensteppedcloserandlookedoverPoe’sshoulder.Thepaperwasbrittle,butthetypewasclear. DEATHINABAKERY, theheadlineread.Andunderneath,“YoungGirlSlainBeforeDawn.”Theone-columnstorywasaccompaniedbyaphotograph ofabuilding Thebuildingtheywerein.
“Herthroatwasslit,”saidPoe “Onthefloorrightbelowus In1954 Shewasjustnineteen” Marplewinced.“Thatpoorchild.”
Gretchenpicturedhercommissionevaporatingbeforehereyes Shedidaquickmentalcalculation,readytocutthepriceon thespot.Whothehellwouldpayalmostsixhundreddollarspersquarefootforamurdersite?
Beforeshecouldfloatanewnumber,allthreeofherprospectsturnedandspokeatonce. “We’ll take it!”
Present day
AUGUSTEPOEWASanxioustogetmoving Ateacherhadoncedescribedhimashavinganexcitabletemperament,anditwas showingthismorning.
Asheexitedthenewlyrenovatedbakerybuildinginacrisplinensuit,Poeglancedatthefreshletteringonthefrontdoor. Goldleafinaclassicfont Itlookedexpensiveandexclusive Holmes,Marple&PoeInvestigationsfinallyfeltlegit,andtoday wasthedaythatwouldputthemonthemap.Poewassureofit.Theyhadtherightcase.Theyhadtherightskills.Theyjust neededtoexecuteflawlessly asateam
Ashewaitedimpatientlyforhistwopartners,Poewalkedtothebakery’sformerloadingbayandwipedaspeckofdustoff thehoodofhisnewlyacquired1966PontiacGTO.MonteroRed.Tri-Powerupgrade.XSRamAirpackage.He’dpaidfifty thousandtoaNewarkcollectorandconsidereditasteal.Poewasobsessiveaboutanythingmechanical,andmusclecarswere aparticularweakness.DespiteoutrageousBrooklyngaragefees,heownedanimpressivecollection,rotatinghisrides accordingtohismood
“GoodGod,Auguste,whatisthatmonstrosity?”
MargaretMarplewasstandingoutsidetheofficedoorinaneatbusinessjacketandskirt,staringatthePontiac “Itridesassmoothasatowncar,”Poesaid,knowingshepreferredmorediscreettransportation.“Ipromiseyou.”
Marplefrowned.“I’llwrinklemyoutfit,foldingmyselfintothatthing.”
“Margaret,youneedtobemoreflexible,”saidBrendanHolmes,exitingthedoorrightbehindher.Hepluckedaspeckoflint fromhissuitjacketashewalkedtowardthecar.
“Let’sgo!”Poesaidasheslidinbehindthesteeringwheel ThepowerfulPontiacwasnoadvantageonthetriptoOnePolicePlaza.ThecrosstowndrivethroughBrooklynwas torturous,withalotofstop-and-goontheway Poecouldfeelhispartners’nervestoo Theirplanhingedongettinginfrontof PoliceCommissionerJockBoolin.AndBoolinwasanotoriouslyhardmantocorner.
Thecommissionerwasnewtohispost,recentlyappointedbyNewYorkCitymayorFelixRollinsafteralongcareerin Chicago Thiswouldbetheirfirstin-personencounter Byallaccounts,Boolinwasahard-nosedcopandasavvypolitical operator.Poeandhispartnershaddonetheirduediligence.Nowitwastimeforacriticalface-to-face.
Thetopictheywantedtodiscusswasacasethatwasconsumingthecity:themysteriousdisappearanceofayoungBlack attorneynamedSloaneStone.
Sloane’simpressiverésumétickedthroughPoe’smindashedrove Brooklyngirlmadegood Harvardundergraduate Yale Law.JuniorassociateatatopNewYorklawfirm.Brilliantandbeautiful.Theprofilepictureonherlaw-firmwebsiteshowed SloaneStonetobeayoungwomanwithbrighteyes,ahugesmile,anddarkhairwornfullandnatural,withafewtightcurls fallingacrossherforehead Missingfortwoweeksnowwithoutatrace ThepressureonNYPD andthenewcommissioner inparticular wasgrowingmoreintensebytheday.
Thenewfirmhadgottenananonymoustip,andwhatthey’dlearnedwasabouttoshakeupthewholecity Poeglancedinthe rearviewmirrorasMarplepulledupthelatestreportsonheriPhone. “Anybreakthroughs?”askedPoe “Theauthoritiesarestillbaffled,”saidMarple. “Good,”saidHolmes.“We’renot.”
AsPoeheadedfortheBrooklynBridgecrossingintoManhattan,hegotafreshtingleofanticipation Thiswasit theirfirst high-profilecase andheandhispartnersweredeterminedtobreakitwideopen. Evenifnobodyhadactuallyhiredthem
Present day
AUGUSTEPOEWASanxioustogetmoving Ateacherhadoncedescribedhimashavinganexcitabletemperament,anditwas showingthismorning.
Asheexitedthenewlyrenovatedbakerybuildinginacrisplinensuit,Poeglancedatthefreshletteringonthefrontdoor. Goldleafinaclassicfont Itlookedexpensiveandexclusive Holmes,Marple&PoeInvestigationsfinallyfeltlegit,andtoday wasthedaythatwouldputthemonthemap.Poewassureofit.Theyhadtherightcase.Theyhadtherightskills.Theyjust neededtoexecuteflawlessly asateam
Ashewaitedimpatientlyforhistwopartners,Poewalkedtothebakery’sformerloadingbayandwipedaspeckofdustoff thehoodofhisnewlyacquired1966PontiacGTO.MonteroRed.Tri-Powerupgrade.XSRamAirpackage.He’dpaidfifty thousandtoaNewarkcollectorandconsidereditasteal.Poewasobsessiveaboutanythingmechanical,andmusclecarswere aparticularweakness.DespiteoutrageousBrooklyngaragefees,heownedanimpressivecollection,rotatinghisrides accordingtohismood
“GoodGod,Auguste,whatisthatmonstrosity?”
MargaretMarplewasstandingoutsidetheofficedoorinaneatbusinessjacketandskirt,staringatthePontiac “Itridesassmoothasatowncar,”Poesaid,knowingshepreferredmorediscreettransportation.“Ipromiseyou.”
Marplefrowned.“I’llwrinklemyoutfit,foldingmyselfintothatthing.”
“Margaret,youneedtobemoreflexible,”saidBrendanHolmes,exitingthedoorrightbehindher.Hepluckedaspeckoflint fromhissuitjacketashewalkedtowardthecar.
“Let’sgo!”Poesaidasheslidinbehindthesteeringwheel
ThepowerfulPontiacwasnoadvantageonthetriptoOnePolicePlaza.ThecrosstowndrivethroughBrooklynwas torturous,withalotofstop-and-goontheway Poecouldfeelhispartners’nervestoo Theirplanhingedongettinginfrontof PoliceCommissionerJockBoolin.AndBoolinwasanotoriouslyhardmantocorner.
Thecommissionerwasnewtohispost,recentlyappointedbyNewYorkCitymayorFelixRollinsafteralongcareerin Chicago Thiswouldbetheirfirstin-personencounter Byallaccounts,Boolinwasahard-nosedcopandasavvypolitical operator.Poeandhispartnershaddonetheirduediligence.Nowitwastimeforacriticalface-to-face.
Thetopictheywantedtodiscusswasacasethatwasconsumingthecity:themysteriousdisappearanceofayoungBlack attorneynamedSloaneStone.
Sloane’simpressiverésumétickedthroughPoe’smindashedrove Brooklyngirlmadegood Harvardundergraduate Yale Law.JuniorassociateatatopNewYorklawfirm.Brilliantandbeautiful.Theprofilepictureonherlaw-firmwebsiteshowed SloaneStonetobeayoungwomanwithbrighteyes,ahugesmile,anddarkhairwornfullandnatural,withafewtightcurls fallingacrossherforehead Missingfortwoweeksnowwithoutatrace ThepressureonNYPD andthenewcommissioner inparticular wasgrowingmoreintensebytheday.
Thenewfirmhadgottenananonymoustip,andwhatthey’dlearnedwasabouttoshakeupthewholecity Poeglancedinthe rearviewmirrorasMarplepulledupthelatestreportsonheriPhone.
“Anybreakthroughs?”askedPoe “Theauthoritiesarestillbaffled,”saidMarple. “Good,”saidHolmes.“We’renot.”
AsPoeheadedfortheBrooklynBridgecrossingintoManhattan,hegotafreshtingleofanticipation Thiswasit theirfirst high-profilecase andheandhispartnersweredeterminedtobreakitwideopen. Evenifnobodyhadactuallyhiredthem
WHENTHETHREEinvestigatorsarrivedonthetopfloorofOnePolicePlaza,Poeledthewaytothecommissioner’ssuite,where alate-twentysomethingreceptionistsatbehindahugeoakdesk.Heglancedattheassistant’snameplateashesteppedforward, thenclearedhisthroatandadjustedhisvoicetoatoneofwarmfamiliarity,asifhehadknownherforever “Samantha,”hesaid.“Goodmorning.Howareyou?Weneedtoseethecommissioner immediately.”
“Who does?”thereceptionistshotback.Injusttwowords,PoedetectedthedistinctiveinflectionofaQueensnative.He lookedcloser.Samantha’swardrobeandjewelryconveyedatoneofedgyself-assurance,andhermanicurednailslookedas sharpasdaggers.Poeimmediatelyrealizedthatshewasnopushover.
“Holmes,Marple,andPoeInvestigations,”hesaid Heflickedabusinesscardfromhiswalletwiththeflairofan illusionist.
Samanthatookit
“Holmes,Marple,andPoe?”shesaid.“Isthatajoke?”
Holmesleanedoverthedesk.“We’reprivateinvestigators.Andwehaveimportantinformationforthecommissioner. Critical information.”
Samanthashiftedhercoldstareinhisdirection.“Doyouhaveanappointment?”
Marplesteppedforward “WehaveintelligenceonthedisappearanceofSloaneStone,”shesaidsoftly “Itinvolvesthe mayor.”
Samanthatiltedherhead “SloaneStone?”Poenoticedasuddenuptickofinterest Thereceptionistloweredherheadand tappedhertouchscreen.Poecouldhearherspeakingterselyintoherheadset.
Aboutthirtysecondslater,ablond-hairedwomaninadarksuitwalkedintothereceptionarea.Shewastallandelegant. Also,Poegatheredfromherbodylanguage,sternandefficient “Iunderstandyouhaveinformationconcerningthemayor,”shesaid. Poenoddedandhandedherabusinesscard “Holmes,Marple,andPoeInvestigations Areyoufromthemayor’soffice?”
“I’mKristinRove,specialassistanttoMayorRollins.Anythingyouhaveforthemayor,youcantellme.” “Notthis,I’mafraid,”saidPoe
“Forthecommissioner’searsonlyatthispoint,”Marpleaddedpolitely.
“Well,letmetellyouhowitworks,”Kristinsaid,shiftinghereyesfromMarpletoHolmestoPoe.“Youdon’tseethe commissionerwithoutgoingthroughSamantha,andyoudon’tseethemayorwithoutgoingthroughme”Sheglanceddownat thebusinesscard.“Sounlessyou’veactuallyfoundMs.Stone,you’vecomeallthewayfromBrooklynfornothing.”She handedthecardbacktoPoe,thenwalkedoff
PoeturnedtoMarpleandnoddedtowardthereceptiondesk.“Youtry.”Itwastimeforatag-teamapproach.Maybe Marple’speopleskillswouldbemoreproductive
Poeknewthatinadditiontobeinganaturalsnoop,hispartnerwasanintuitivestudentofhumanpsychology.Hestoodback withHolmesandwatchedasMarplewalkeduptoSamantha’sstationandrestedahandonthepolishedoaktop.The receptionistwasclearlydoingherbesttoignoreMarple’spresence,butsheeventuallylookedup “CanIhelpyou?” “Aboutyourage.AmIright?”saidMarple.
“Who?”askedSamantha “SloaneStone.”
Samanthashiftedawkwardlyinherseat.“Iguess.”Alongpause.“ButIwenttoQueensboroughCommunityandshewentto afancyIvy,soIthinkSloaneandIaresortofondifferentlevels.” “Were.”
“What?”
“Were.Pasttense.Oneofyouisdead.”
Samanthablinked “Youdon’tknowthat!”
“Actually,wedo,”saidMarple.“We’reverygoodatourjob.That’swhywe’rehere.”Sheloweredhervoicetoa confidentialwhisper.“Thetruthis,Samantha,weknowmoreaboutthedifferentkindsofhumanwickednessthananyone you’veevermet.”
ThereceptioniststaredatMarpleforasecond.Thenshepulledoffherheadset,gotupfromherchair,andwalkedthrougha thickdoorbehindthereceptionarea Success!PoeandHolmessteppedforward,poisedandready Afewsecondslater, Samanthawasback.Shesatdownandpickedupherheadsetagain.
“Sorry”Sheshrugged “CommissionerBoolinhasleftfortheday Hemusthaveusedhisprivateexit” Poeglancedathispartners.“Notaproblem,”hesaid.“Weknowwherehelives.”
WHENTHETHREEinvestigatorsarrivedonthetopfloorofOnePolicePlaza,Poeledthewaytothecommissioner’ssuite,where alate-twentysomethingreceptionistsatbehindahugeoakdesk.Heglancedattheassistant’snameplateashesteppedforward, thenclearedhisthroatandadjustedhisvoicetoatoneofwarmfamiliarity,asifhehadknownherforever “Samantha,”hesaid.“Goodmorning.Howareyou?Weneedtoseethecommissioner immediately.”
“Who does?”thereceptionistshotback.Injusttwowords,PoedetectedthedistinctiveinflectionofaQueensnative.He lookedcloser.Samantha’swardrobeandjewelryconveyedatoneofedgyself-assurance,andhermanicurednailslookedas sharpasdaggers.Poeimmediatelyrealizedthatshewasnopushover.
“Holmes,Marple,andPoeInvestigations,”hesaid Heflickedabusinesscardfromhiswalletwiththeflairofan illusionist.
Samanthatookit
“Holmes,Marple,andPoe?”shesaid.“Isthatajoke?”
Holmesleanedoverthedesk.“We’reprivateinvestigators.Andwehaveimportantinformationforthecommissioner. Critical information.”
Samanthashiftedhercoldstareinhisdirection.“Doyouhaveanappointment?” Marplesteppedforward “WehaveintelligenceonthedisappearanceofSloaneStone,”shesaidsoftly “Itinvolvesthe mayor.”
Samanthatiltedherhead “SloaneStone?”Poenoticedasuddenuptickofinterest Thereceptionistloweredherheadand tappedhertouchscreen.Poecouldhearherspeakingterselyintoherheadset.
Aboutthirtysecondslater,ablond-hairedwomaninadarksuitwalkedintothereceptionarea.Shewastallandelegant. Also,Poegatheredfromherbodylanguage,sternandefficient “Iunderstandyouhaveinformationconcerningthemayor,”shesaid. Poenoddedandhandedherabusinesscard “Holmes,Marple,andPoeInvestigations Areyoufromthemayor’soffice?”
“I’mKristinRove,specialassistanttoMayorRollins.Anythingyouhaveforthemayor,youcantellme.” “Notthis,I’mafraid,”saidPoe “Forthecommissioner’searsonlyatthispoint,”Marpleaddedpolitely.
“Well,letmetellyouhowitworks,”Kristinsaid,shiftinghereyesfromMarpletoHolmestoPoe.“Youdon’tseethe commissionerwithoutgoingthroughSamantha,andyoudon’tseethemayorwithoutgoingthroughme”Sheglanceddownat thebusinesscard.“Sounlessyou’veactuallyfoundMs.Stone,you’vecomeallthewayfromBrooklynfornothing.”She handedthecardbacktoPoe,thenwalkedoff
PoeturnedtoMarpleandnoddedtowardthereceptiondesk.“Youtry.”Itwastimeforatag-teamapproach.Maybe Marple’speopleskillswouldbemoreproductive
Poeknewthatinadditiontobeinganaturalsnoop,hispartnerwasanintuitivestudentofhumanpsychology.Hestoodback withHolmesandwatchedasMarplewalkeduptoSamantha’sstationandrestedahandonthepolishedoaktop.The receptionistwasclearlydoingherbesttoignoreMarple’spresence,butsheeventuallylookedup “CanIhelpyou?” “Aboutyourage.AmIright?”saidMarple.
“Who?”askedSamantha “SloaneStone.”
Samanthashiftedawkwardlyinherseat.“Iguess.”Alongpause.“ButIwenttoQueensboroughCommunityandshewentto afancyIvy,soIthinkSloaneandIaresortofondifferentlevels.” “Were.”
“What?”
“Were.Pasttense.Oneofyouisdead.”
Samanthablinked “Youdon’tknowthat!”
“Actually,wedo,”saidMarple.“We’reverygoodatourjob.That’swhywe’rehere.”Sheloweredhervoicetoa confidentialwhisper.“Thetruthis,Samantha,weknowmoreaboutthedifferentkindsofhumanwickednessthananyone you’veevermet.”
ThereceptioniststaredatMarpleforasecond.Thenshepulledoffherheadset,gotupfromherchair,andwalkedthrougha thickdoorbehindthereceptionarea Success!PoeandHolmessteppedforward,poisedandready Afewsecondslater, Samanthawasback.Shesatdownandpickedupherheadsetagain.
“Sorry”Sheshrugged “CommissionerBoolinhasleftfortheday Hemusthaveusedhisprivateexit” Poeglancedathispartners.“Notaproblem,”hesaid.“Weknowwherehelives.”
HEADINGNORTHON theWestSideHighway,theGTO’s380-horsepowerenginegrowledasPoespeed-shiftedthroughtraffic OncetheypassedRiversidePark,heopeneditupfurther.
“Thinkhe’llbeatushome?”askedHolmes “Onlyifhetookthechopper,”saidPoe.
TheGPShadestimatedathirty-four-minutedrivetoRiverdale.Ittooktwenty.Poeslowedthecartoacrawlastheyentered thenarrow,tree-linedroadsoftheexclusiveFieldstonenclave.Thestatelyhomesweresetonnaturalhillsandtuckedawayin cozyhollows.Itwaslikeacharmingforestvillage,wherelow-endpropertieswentforabouttwomillion.Poedroveslowly upGoodridgeAvenue
“Ithinkyourcarmightstandoutabitinthisneighborhood,”saidMarple.
Poelookedaround Marplewasright ThecurveddrivewaysweredottedwithMercedes,BMWs,andTeslas Heparkedthe flashyredPontiacinashadyspotacrossfromtheentrancetoBoolin’ssecludedestate,thenclimbedoutofthecar.Holmesand Marplefollowed.Theytookpositionsinagroveoffirtreesnearthestonepillarsattheendofthedriveway.
Justtwominuteslater,ablackSuburbanrolledupthestreetandpulledtoagentlestop.Thereardooropened.Police CommissionerBoolinsteppedout.Hewastallandimposing,withwavysilverhair.Poewatchedfrombehindathicktrunkas Boolinwavedtohisdriver,whoexecutedaskillfulK-turnanddroveoff
Thecommissionerwalkedtohismailboxandpulledoutasmallstackofenvelopesandmagazines,thenstartedupthe driveway,flippingthroughthemailashewent Poeglancedathispartnersandgavethesignal Allatonce,theysteppedout frombehindcover.Boolinlookedup,startled.
“Anythinginterestinginthemail?”askedHolmes.“Orjusttheusualbribes?”
Boolin’sexpressiondarkenedasthethreePIsapproached “Whatareyoudoinghere?Itoldmygirltogetridofyou” “Don’tblameSamantha,”saidHolmes.“Shedidherbest.”Hepulledoutabusinesscard.“Holmes,Marple,andPoe Investigations,”hesaid “Whenwesaidweneededtotalktoyou,wemeantit”
Boolinignoredthecard.“Whyareyouskulkingaroundinmywoods?”hesaid,thrustinghissquarechinforward. Poesteppedup “Commissioner,”hesaid,“theinformationwehaveconcernsSloaneStone”
Boolinwaveddismissively.“Right.Youandeverybodyelseintown.”Hestartedbackupthedriveway.“Ifyou’vegota lead,callthehotline.Ormakeanappointmentthroughchannels,likeprofessionals insteadofapackofgoddamnstalkers.”
PoeglancedatHolmes Thiswasthemoment “Weknowshewasmurdered,”Holmescalledout.“Andweknowwhereshe’sburied.”
Boolinstoppedandturnedaroundslowly HetookafewstepsbackdownthedrivewayandlookedfromHolmestoMarple toPoe.“Andhowthehelldoyouknowthat?”
“Whenyouhaveeliminatedtheimpossible,”saidHolmes,“whateverremains,howeverimprobable,mustbethetruth” Boolin’seyesnarrowed.“Thatsoundslikegobbledygook,”hesaid.“Butsure.I’llcallyourbluff.”Hefoldedhisthickarms acrosshischest.“Whereisshe?”
HEADINGNORTHON theWestSideHighway,theGTO’s380-horsepowerenginegrowledasPoespeed-shiftedthroughtraffic OncetheypassedRiversidePark,heopeneditupfurther.
“Thinkhe’llbeatushome?”askedHolmes “Onlyifhetookthechopper,”saidPoe.
TheGPShadestimatedathirty-four-minutedrivetoRiverdale.Ittooktwenty.Poeslowedthecartoacrawlastheyentered thenarrow,tree-linedroadsoftheexclusiveFieldstonenclave.Thestatelyhomesweresetonnaturalhillsandtuckedawayin cozyhollows.Itwaslikeacharmingforestvillage,wherelow-endpropertieswentforabouttwomillion.Poedroveslowly upGoodridgeAvenue
“Ithinkyourcarmightstandoutabitinthisneighborhood,”saidMarple.
Poelookedaround Marplewasright ThecurveddrivewaysweredottedwithMercedes,BMWs,andTeslas Heparkedthe flashyredPontiacinashadyspotacrossfromtheentrancetoBoolin’ssecludedestate,thenclimbedoutofthecar.Holmesand Marplefollowed.Theytookpositionsinagroveoffirtreesnearthestonepillarsattheendofthedriveway.
Justtwominuteslater,ablackSuburbanrolledupthestreetandpulledtoagentlestop.Thereardooropened.Police CommissionerBoolinsteppedout.Hewastallandimposing,withwavysilverhair.Poewatchedfrombehindathicktrunkas Boolinwavedtohisdriver,whoexecutedaskillfulK-turnanddroveoff
Thecommissionerwalkedtohismailboxandpulledoutasmallstackofenvelopesandmagazines,thenstartedupthe driveway,flippingthroughthemailashewent Poeglancedathispartnersandgavethesignal Allatonce,theysteppedout frombehindcover.Boolinlookedup,startled.
“Anythinginterestinginthemail?”askedHolmes.“Orjusttheusualbribes?”
Boolin’sexpressiondarkenedasthethreePIsapproached “Whatareyoudoinghere?Itoldmygirltogetridofyou” “Don’tblameSamantha,”saidHolmes.“Shedidherbest.”Hepulledoutabusinesscard.“Holmes,Marple,andPoe Investigations,”hesaid “Whenwesaidweneededtotalktoyou,wemeantit”
Boolinignoredthecard.“Whyareyouskulkingaroundinmywoods?”hesaid,thrustinghissquarechinforward. Poesteppedup “Commissioner,”hesaid,“theinformationwehaveconcernsSloaneStone”
Boolinwaveddismissively.“Right.Youandeverybodyelseintown.”Hestartedbackupthedriveway.“Ifyou’vegota lead,callthehotline.Ormakeanappointmentthroughchannels,likeprofessionals insteadofapackofgoddamnstalkers.”
PoeglancedatHolmes Thiswasthemoment “Weknowshewasmurdered,”Holmescalledout.“Andweknowwhereshe’sburied.”
Boolinstoppedandturnedaroundslowly HetookafewstepsbackdownthedrivewayandlookedfromHolmestoMarple toPoe.“Andhowthehelldoyouknowthat?”
“Whenyouhaveeliminatedtheimpossible,”saidHolmes,“whateverremains,howeverimprobable,mustbethetruth” Boolin’seyesnarrowed.“Thatsoundslikegobbledygook,”hesaid.“Butsure.I’llcallyourbluff.”Hefoldedhisthickarms acrosshischest.“Whereisshe?”
THREEHOURSLATER
,HolmesstoodwithMarpleandPoeattheentrancetoanabandonedfarmaboutahundredmilesnorthof NewYorkCity.Helookedaroundatthesmallcaravanofpolicevehiclesthathadescortedthem.Boolinhadn’tbeenreadyto calloutafullsearchteamonthesay-soofthreeunfamiliarPIs Buthe’dagreedtosendacoupleofrookiesandonehomicide detectiveforapreliminaryscout.
Holmescouldfeelhisheartracing.Thepartnershadagreedthathewouldtaketheleadonthiscase,butatthemoment,he waswayoutofhiscomfortzone.
Assoonasthey’darrived,theodorsoffertilizerandmanurehadoverwhelmedhim.Theywerestaggering,almost intolerable,cloudinghisolfactorysensejustwhenhereallyneededit Heleanedbackagainstafencepostandpressedhis handsagainsthistemples,breathingthroughhismouth.Hissuperiorsenseofsmellmadehimpartbloodhound,partpointer, andpartbulldog Butsometimes,itjustmadehimsick
HefeltPoe’shandonhisshoulder.“Brendan,areyouokay?”
Holmesnodded.“Ijustneedafewminutestoadjusttotheredolence.”
“What’shappening?”askedMarple.
“He’srecalibratinghisnostrils,”saidPoe.
“Notafanofcountryair?”askedDetectiveLieutenantHeleneGrey
Holmescouldtellthatshethoughtthiswasawasteoftime,andhesensedthatshewasgoingoutofherwaytoneedlehim. Greywasanewcomertothesquad Holmesestimatedherageatthirty-eight,giveortakeayear Fromquickobservation,he determinedthatshewasanaturalblonde,withjustalittlesalonassist.Normally,hewouldhavebeenabletodetectthelevel ofethanolamineinherhairdye.Butnottoday.Toomucholfactorycompetition.
“Imuchprefertheurbanmiasma,”saidHolmes
Greycockedherhead.“Tellmesomething,Mr.Holmes.HowcanyoubesosureaboutthelocationofSloaneStone’sbody unlessyouhadsomethingtodowithhidingit?”
Holmesignoredthejabandstalledfortime,waitingforhisoveractivesensestosettle.Heglancedaroundtheproperty,from thebarnyardtothefencelineinthedistance
“Ifyouwanttodisposeofabodyonafarm,”hesaid,“youhaveseveraloptions.Youcanfeedittothepigs,buttheyleave hairandteethbehind,soit’sanincompletesolution.Youcanburythebodyinthemiddleofafield,buteventuallyaplowor somewoodlandcreaturewilldigitup Youcandropabodyinagrainsilo,butyou’dhavetolugthedeadweightupthestairs andhopethatyoudon’ttumbleinyourselfandsuffocateunderthegrain.”
Greystoodwithherarmscrossed,drummingherfingers “Putuporshutup,Mr Holmes,”shesaid “Doyouknowwhere thebodyisornot?”
Holmespausedandtookadeepbreath Hisdelayingspeechhadworked Olfactoryadaptationwassettingin,desensitizing himtonearbysmells.Intheirplace,hebegantodetecttelltalemoleculesofcadaverine,putrescine,indole,andskatole.Faint anddistant,butunmistakable.
Thescentofdecomposingflesh
Holmeslookedpastthebarntowardtheuncultivatedfieldbehindit.“Followme.”
Theteamwalkedsinglefileacrossthemuddyfurrows,Holmesfirst,thenGrey,thenthetwocops,thenPoe,thenMarple theonlyoneinthepossewearingknee-highWellingtonboots.
Ashewalked,Holmesfeltalltheancillaryscentsdisappear.Itwaslikewipingafilmofvaporfromapairofglasses.Now everythingwasclear. Painfully clear.Hisstomachstartedtoturnashehomedinontheodorofdeath,andittriggeredacurious senseofloss.He’dnevermetSloaneStone,butheknewthingsaboutherthatnobodyelsedid.Notevenhispartners.
Attheedgeofthefieldwasamoundofcompost,fivefeethighandstretchingtwentyyardsalongtheperimeterofthe property.Holmeswalkedslowlydowntherowastheotherstrailedbehindhim.Abouttenfeetfromtheendofthemound,he stoppedandpointed
“She’srighthere,”hesaid. GreyglancedatMarple.“Ishesane?” “Notalways,”saidMarple. “Buthe’susuallyright,”addedPoe.
Greyturnedtothetwocops “Tapeitoff,guys”ThenshepulledoutherphoneandplacedthecalltoCSU
THREEHOURSLATER
,HolmesstoodwithMarpleandPoeattheentrancetoanabandonedfarmaboutahundredmilesnorthof NewYorkCity.Helookedaroundatthesmallcaravanofpolicevehiclesthathadescortedthem.Boolinhadn’tbeenreadyto calloutafullsearchteamonthesay-soofthreeunfamiliarPIs Buthe’dagreedtosendacoupleofrookiesandonehomicide detectiveforapreliminaryscout.
Holmescouldfeelhisheartracing.Thepartnershadagreedthathewouldtaketheleadonthiscase,butatthemoment,he waswayoutofhiscomfortzone.
Assoonasthey’darrived,theodorsoffertilizerandmanurehadoverwhelmedhim.Theywerestaggering,almost intolerable,cloudinghisolfactorysensejustwhenhereallyneededit Heleanedbackagainstafencepostandpressedhis handsagainsthistemples,breathingthroughhismouth.Hissuperiorsenseofsmellmadehimpartbloodhound,partpointer, andpartbulldog Butsometimes,itjustmadehimsick
HefeltPoe’shandonhisshoulder.“Brendan,areyouokay?”
Holmesnodded.“Ijustneedafewminutestoadjusttotheredolence.”
“What’shappening?”askedMarple.
“He’srecalibratinghisnostrils,”saidPoe.
“Notafanofcountryair?”askedDetectiveLieutenantHeleneGrey
Holmescouldtellthatshethoughtthiswasawasteoftime,andhesensedthatshewasgoingoutofherwaytoneedlehim. Greywasanewcomertothesquad Holmesestimatedherageatthirty-eight,giveortakeayear Fromquickobservation,he determinedthatshewasanaturalblonde,withjustalittlesalonassist.Normally,hewouldhavebeenabletodetectthelevel ofethanolamineinherhairdye.Butnottoday.Toomucholfactorycompetition.
“Imuchprefertheurbanmiasma,”saidHolmes
Greycockedherhead.“Tellmesomething,Mr.Holmes.HowcanyoubesosureaboutthelocationofSloaneStone’sbody unlessyouhadsomethingtodowithhidingit?”
Holmesignoredthejabandstalledfortime,waitingforhisoveractivesensestosettle.Heglancedaroundtheproperty,from thebarnyardtothefencelineinthedistance
“Ifyouwanttodisposeofabodyonafarm,”hesaid,“youhaveseveraloptions.Youcanfeedittothepigs,buttheyleave hairandteethbehind,soit’sanincompletesolution.Youcanburythebodyinthemiddleofafield,buteventuallyaplowor somewoodlandcreaturewilldigitup Youcandropabodyinagrainsilo,butyou’dhavetolugthedeadweightupthestairs andhopethatyoudon’ttumbleinyourselfandsuffocateunderthegrain.”
Greystoodwithherarmscrossed,drummingherfingers “Putuporshutup,Mr Holmes,”shesaid “Doyouknowwhere thebodyisornot?”
Holmespausedandtookadeepbreath Hisdelayingspeechhadworked Olfactoryadaptationwassettingin,desensitizing himtonearbysmells.Intheirplace,hebegantodetecttelltalemoleculesofcadaverine,putrescine,indole,andskatole.Faint anddistant,butunmistakable.
Thescentofdecomposingflesh
Holmeslookedpastthebarntowardtheuncultivatedfieldbehindit.“Followme.”
Theteamwalkedsinglefileacrossthemuddyfurrows,Holmesfirst,thenGrey,thenthetwocops,thenPoe,thenMarple theonlyoneinthepossewearingknee-highWellingtonboots.
Ashewalked,Holmesfeltalltheancillaryscentsdisappear.Itwaslikewipingafilmofvaporfromapairofglasses.Now everythingwasclear. Painfully clear.Hisstomachstartedtoturnashehomedinontheodorofdeath,andittriggeredacurious senseofloss.He’dnevermetSloaneStone,butheknewthingsaboutherthatnobodyelsedid.Notevenhispartners.
Attheedgeofthefieldwasamoundofcompost,fivefeethighandstretchingtwentyyardsalongtheperimeterofthe property.Holmeswalkedslowlydowntherowastheotherstrailedbehindhim.Abouttenfeetfromtheendofthemound,he stoppedandpointed
“She’srighthere,”hesaid. GreyglancedatMarple.“Ishesane?” “Notalways,”saidMarple. “Buthe’susuallyright,”addedPoe. Greyturnedtothetwocops “Tapeitoff,guys”ThenshepulledoutherphoneandplacedthecalltoCSU
MARPLEWATCHEDTWO whiteCrimeSceneUnitvansrolltoastopnearthebarn Stone-facedandanxious,shestoodwith HolmesandPoeasDetectiveGreybriefedthetechnicians,dressedinwhiteoverallswithmatchinghoodsandbooties.Asthe techsgatheredtheirtools,thedetectivewalkedoverwiththreeextrarespiratormasks “IfHolmesisright,”shesaid,“you’ll wantthese.”
Marplestrappedthemaskaroundherfaceandheardthestrangesoundofherownbreathingfrombehindthemouthpiece.She hesitatedforafewmomentswhiletherestoftheteamheadedacrossthefield.
Asmuchasshetrustedherpartner’sskills,Marpleheldoutasmallhopethathewaswrong,atleastinthiscase.She preferredtoimagineSloaneStoneonasunnybeachwithahugemargarita,laughingatthethoughtofmeninhazmatsuitstrying todigupherbonesinabeanfield.
“Margaret!Youcoming?”Poe’svoicewasmuddledbyhismask Marplewavedbackandfollowedthewornpaththrough thefurrows.
TheCSUteamsetupaseriesofmetalscreensoverhugetrays.Theyusedsmallspades,notmuchbiggerthanbeachtoys. Workingslowlyanddeliberately,theyscoopedsmallmoundsofcompostontothescreensandspreaditwiththeirglovesand tools.Butjustafewminutesintothedig,thedetailedarcheologybecamemoot.
“Christ!”shoutedoneofthetechs,steppingback Ahumanarm,orwhatwasleftofit,protrudedfromthepile Marpleturnedawayforamoment,thenforcedherselftolook.Itwaspartofthejob.Forher,itwasthehardestpart the partwhereallhopewasgone
Theextractiontookthirtyminutes,andtheresultwaspurehorror.Theoncebeautifulyoungwomanwasnowbarelya coherentshape.Onlythehaironherscalpstillhadsomesemblanceofwhoshehadbeen.Thoughmattedwithdirtandrefuse, itretainedahintofhowithadlookedinherofficiallaw-firmprofilephoto
Newpictureswerebeingtakennow,detailedanddevastating,fromeverypossibleangle.Insidehermask,Marple murmuredasilentprayerastheteamunzippedabodybagandgentlyenclosedinsideitthemortalremainsofSloaneStone TwooftheCSUguysthencarefullytransportedthebagbackacrossthefieldtowardthevans.Asecondteamstayedbehindto siftformoreevidence
Grey,Holmes,andPoewalkedafewyardsawayfromthesceneandyankedofftheirmasks.Marpleremovedherstooand caughtupwiththem.ShecouldhearHolmesexpoundingagain.
“Don’tbesurprisedifthehyoidboneisintact,”saidHolmes “Thatdoesn’tmeanshewasn’tstrangled Shewas Ibelieve thattheacttooksometime.Perhapsbecausethekillerhadsmallhands.”
“Well,let’sseewhattheautopsyturnsup,”saidGrey “Thatmightnarrowdownoursuspectlist”Shelookedpointedlyat Holmes.“Let’shopeitexcludesyou.”
ItwascleartoMarplethatGreywasintoprocedureandprocess,andthatshewaseagertogetthecasebackontoanormal track,firmlyunderhercontrol.ButMarplecouldtellthat,asusual,Holmeshadaplanofhisown.
MARPLEWATCHEDTWO whiteCrimeSceneUnitvansrolltoastopnearthebarn Stone-facedandanxious,shestoodwith HolmesandPoeasDetectiveGreybriefedthetechnicians,dressedinwhiteoverallswithmatchinghoodsandbooties.Asthe techsgatheredtheirtools,thedetectivewalkedoverwiththreeextrarespiratormasks “IfHolmesisright,”shesaid,“you’ll wantthese.”
Marplestrappedthemaskaroundherfaceandheardthestrangesoundofherownbreathingfrombehindthemouthpiece.She hesitatedforafewmomentswhiletherestoftheteamheadedacrossthefield.
Asmuchasshetrustedherpartner’sskills,Marpleheldoutasmallhopethathewaswrong,atleastinthiscase.She preferredtoimagineSloaneStoneonasunnybeachwithahugemargarita,laughingatthethoughtofmeninhazmatsuitstrying todigupherbonesinabeanfield.
“Margaret!Youcoming?”Poe’svoicewasmuddledbyhismask Marplewavedbackandfollowedthewornpaththrough thefurrows.
TheCSUteamsetupaseriesofmetalscreensoverhugetrays.Theyusedsmallspades,notmuchbiggerthanbeachtoys. Workingslowlyanddeliberately,theyscoopedsmallmoundsofcompostontothescreensandspreaditwiththeirglovesand tools.Butjustafewminutesintothedig,thedetailedarcheologybecamemoot.
“Christ!”shoutedoneofthetechs,steppingback Ahumanarm,orwhatwasleftofit,protrudedfromthepile Marpleturnedawayforamoment,thenforcedherselftolook.Itwaspartofthejob.Forher,itwasthehardestpart the partwhereallhopewasgone
Theextractiontookthirtyminutes,andtheresultwaspurehorror.Theoncebeautifulyoungwomanwasnowbarelya coherentshape.Onlythehaironherscalpstillhadsomesemblanceofwhoshehadbeen.Thoughmattedwithdirtandrefuse, itretainedahintofhowithadlookedinherofficiallaw-firmprofilephoto
Newpictureswerebeingtakennow,detailedanddevastating,fromeverypossibleangle.Insidehermask,Marple murmuredasilentprayerastheteamunzippedabodybagandgentlyenclosedinsideitthemortalremainsofSloaneStone TwooftheCSUguysthencarefullytransportedthebagbackacrossthefieldtowardthevans.Asecondteamstayedbehindto siftformoreevidence
Grey,Holmes,andPoewalkedafewyardsawayfromthesceneandyankedofftheirmasks.Marpleremovedherstooand caughtupwiththem.ShecouldhearHolmesexpoundingagain.
“Don’tbesurprisedifthehyoidboneisintact,”saidHolmes “Thatdoesn’tmeanshewasn’tstrangled Shewas Ibelieve thattheacttooksometime.Perhapsbecausethekillerhadsmallhands.”
“Well,let’sseewhattheautopsyturnsup,”saidGrey “Thatmightnarrowdownoursuspectlist”Shelookedpointedlyat Holmes.“Let’shopeitexcludesyou.”
ItwascleartoMarplethatGreywasintoprocedureandprocess,andthatshewaseagertogetthecasebackontoanormal track,firmlyunderhercontrol.ButMarplecouldtellthat,asusual,Holmeshadaplanofhisown.
ATNINEO’CLOCK sharpthenextmorning,HolmesandhispartnersarrivedatGracieMansion,theofficialresidenceofMayor FelixRollins.DetectiveGreypulledupbehindtheminanunmarkedsedan,thenledthewayinside.
Atasecurityscreeningstation,thethreePIssurrenderedtheirhandguns Greywavedherbadgeandgotapassforhers
TheUpperEastSidemansionwashumming,andHolmesnoticedthatthecorridorsandcubiclesweremostlyfilledwith attractiveyoungwomen includingthestatuesqueassistantwhowalkedthemtothefirst-floorparlor.
“Themayorwillbewithyoushortly,”shesaid,showingthemintotheroom.
Ashecrossedthethreshold,Holmesfeltasifhe’dsteppedbackintotheeighteenthcentury.Colonial-erafurniture.Thick draperies Crystalchandeliers Ornatevasesfilledwithwhiteflowers Amildlyfruityaromafilledhisnostrils
“Paniclehydrangea,”saidMarple,brushingoneofthepetals.“Lovely.”Poeranhishandsadmiringlyoveranantique bowfrontsideboard
“Remember,”Greysaidfirmly,“we’reheretoupdatethemayorontheinvestigation.Nothingmore.You’rehereasa courtesy.”
“Andbecausewelocatedthebody,”saidHolmes. “Westillhavetosolvethecrime,”saidGrey.
“Crimeiscommon Logicisrare,”Holmesmuttered “Thereforeitisuponthelogicratherthanthecrimethatyoushould dwell.”
“Whatthehelldoesthatmean?”askedGrey “ItmeansyoushouldreadmoreArthurConanDoyle,”saidHolmes.“Infact,hisworkshouldbetaughtattheacademy.” Atthatmoment,themayorappearedinthedoorway.Holmeswasnotsurprisedtoseehimflankedbyhisassistant,Kristin Rove Fromwhathe’dlearned,Rollinsrarelywentanywherewithouther Holmestookaquickinventoryofthemayor.Itwasthefirsttimehe’dseenhiminperson.Largehead.Darkeyes.Slight, almostdelicatephysique,interruptedbyapronouncedbelly
“Whyarewehere?”askedRollins.Brusqueandarrogant.“Yousaidyou’vegotsomethingnewonStone?” Greysteppedforward,butHolmessteppedrightinfrontofher “That’strue,wedo,”saidHolmes.
“Whothehellareyou?”Rollinsasked.
“He’saPI,”repliedKristin She’dsaid“PI”asifitwereavenerealdisease “MynameisHolmes.”Rollinsgavehimaweak,noncommittalshake.Holmesnotedhissmall,softhands.“Andtheseare myassociates,Ms MarpleandMr Poe”
Greysteppedupagain,nudgingHolmesaside.“Sorry,Mr.Mayor.”
Rollinsglaredather “Let’shearit,Grey HaveyougotsomethingnewonStoneornot?” “Asofyesterday,Mr.Mayor,”shesaid,“it’samurderinvestigation.” “Youhaveabody?”askedKristin.
Greynodded “Sadly,wedo” “Atleastthat’sprogress,”Rollinsrepliedevenly.“Whataboutsuspects?” Holmesinchedclosertothemayor,deliberatelyviolatinghispersonalspace
“Asamatteroffact,”hesaid,“we’relooking atsomebodyrightnow.”Hewasbeingobnoxiousandinvasive andheknewit. Itwasoneofhisfavoritetechniquesforrattlinghisprey.
ATNINEO’CLOCK sharpthenextmorning,HolmesandhispartnersarrivedatGracieMansion,theofficialresidenceofMayor FelixRollins.DetectiveGreypulledupbehindtheminanunmarkedsedan,thenledthewayinside.
Atasecurityscreeningstation,thethreePIssurrenderedtheirhandguns Greywavedherbadgeandgotapassforhers
TheUpperEastSidemansionwashumming,andHolmesnoticedthatthecorridorsandcubiclesweremostlyfilledwith attractiveyoungwomen includingthestatuesqueassistantwhowalkedthemtothefirst-floorparlor.
“Themayorwillbewithyoushortly,”shesaid,showingthemintotheroom.
Ashecrossedthethreshold,Holmesfeltasifhe’dsteppedbackintotheeighteenthcentury.Colonial-erafurniture.Thick draperies Crystalchandeliers Ornatevasesfilledwithwhiteflowers Amildlyfruityaromafilledhisnostrils
“Paniclehydrangea,”saidMarple,brushingoneofthepetals.“Lovely.”Poeranhishandsadmiringlyoveranantique bowfrontsideboard
“Remember,”Greysaidfirmly,“we’reheretoupdatethemayorontheinvestigation.Nothingmore.You’rehereasa courtesy.”
“Andbecausewelocatedthebody,”saidHolmes. “Westillhavetosolvethecrime,”saidGrey.
“Crimeiscommon Logicisrare,”Holmesmuttered “Thereforeitisuponthelogicratherthanthecrimethatyoushould dwell.”
“Whatthehelldoesthatmean?”askedGrey “ItmeansyoushouldreadmoreArthurConanDoyle,”saidHolmes.“Infact,hisworkshouldbetaughtattheacademy.” Atthatmoment,themayorappearedinthedoorway.Holmeswasnotsurprisedtoseehimflankedbyhisassistant,Kristin Rove Fromwhathe’dlearned,Rollinsrarelywentanywherewithouther Holmestookaquickinventoryofthemayor.Itwasthefirsttimehe’dseenhiminperson.Largehead.Darkeyes.Slight, almostdelicatephysique,interruptedbyapronouncedbelly
“Whyarewehere?”askedRollins.Brusqueandarrogant.“Yousaidyou’vegotsomethingnewonStone?” Greysteppedforward,butHolmessteppedrightinfrontofher “That’strue,wedo,”saidHolmes.
“Whothehellareyou?”Rollinsasked.
“He’saPI,”repliedKristin She’dsaid“PI”asifitwereavenerealdisease “MynameisHolmes.”Rollinsgavehimaweak,noncommittalshake.Holmesnotedhissmall,softhands.“Andtheseare myassociates,Ms MarpleandMr Poe”
Greysteppedupagain,nudgingHolmesaside.“Sorry,Mr.Mayor.”
Rollinsglaredather “Let’shearit,Grey HaveyougotsomethingnewonStoneornot?” “Asofyesterday,Mr.Mayor,”shesaid,“it’samurderinvestigation.” “Youhaveabody?”askedKristin.
Greynodded “Sadly,wedo” “Atleastthat’sprogress,”Rollinsrepliedevenly.“Whataboutsuspects?” Holmesinchedclosertothemayor,deliberatelyviolatinghispersonalspace
“Asamatteroffact,”hesaid,“we’relooking atsomebodyrightnow.”Hewasbeingobnoxiousandinvasive andheknewit. Itwasoneofhisfavoritetechniquesforrattlinghisprey.
“
HOLMES! WHATAREyoudoing?”Greygrabbedhimbytheshoulders Rollinstookastepback.“Holdon.AreyousayingI’m…?”
“No,we’renot!”saidGrey “Or are we?”saidHolmes. Greylookedexasperated.“Mr.Mayor,Iapologize.We’reonlyhereto ” Rollinsputhishandup.“Shutup.I’dliketohearthis.”HestareddirectlyatHolmes.“Youhavesomethingtosayabout me?”HeglancedathisRolexandperchedhimselfonthearmofoneoftheparlor’santiquechairs.“Youhavetwominutes. BeforeIhaveyouthrownout Orarrested”
Holmesglancedathispartners,thenwalkedtothefireplaceandrestedhisarmonthemarblemantel,calmandunhurried. Inside,hefeltfullyaliveandtotallyfocused He lived formomentslikethis Momentswhenhewasintotalcontrol “Mr.Mayor,whenyouprefernottobotherwithasecuritydetail,youhaveapersonalcaratyourdisposal.Isthatright?” Rollinsshrugged.“YoumeandoIsometimesgoundertheradarforsomeprivatetime?Absolutely.Mycar,mybusiness.” “TheAudiS8,”saidHolmes. RollinsturnedtowardGrey.“Issomebodytailingme?Didyouputatrackeronmycar?”
“Absolutelynot,Mr Mayor,”saidGrey “We’dhavenoreasontodothat” Holmespressedon.“NotNYPD,sir.Itwassomebodyonyourstaff.Forsecuritypurposes,ostensibly.ButI’msureyou’re aware,therearemanyadditionalwaystodeduceavehicle’stravels Tireprints Fenderwellresidue Soilmatches Specifically,siltloamwithapHof6.5andtracesofPhaseolus vulgaris. ” Rollinswasclearlylosingpatience.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”
“Beanleaves,”saidHolmes “Mr Mayor,doyouhaveanyreasontovisitDutchessCounty?”
“DutchessCounty?”saidRollins.“Idon’tgoupstateunlessI’mmeetingwiththegovernor.Ihaven’tbeennorthofHarlem forthreemonths Kristincanconfirmthat”
“YourAudihas,”saidHolmes.“Beennorth.ToAmenia,NewYork.” “Amenia?”Rollinslookedperplexed “Ruraltown,”saidHolmes.“Convenientlyremote.”
“Mr.Mayor,”saidDetectiveGrey,“SloaneStone’sbodywasfoundonafarmnearAmeniayesterdayafternoon.”
“Thesamelocationyourcarvisited Approximatelytwoweeksago,”saidHolmes “Basedontracking Confirmedbythe degreeofdecayinthevegetationtracesinyourwheel-wellliners.”
“Thisisbullshit!”saidRollins HolmeswalkedbacktowardRollinsandrecitedaGmailaddress.
“What’sthat?”Rollinssaidgruffly “SloaneStone’spersonalemailaddress.” “So…?”
Holmesglancedupandtotheside,asifpullingdataoutoftheair “Therehavebeen,asIrecall twelvemessagesfrom yourpersonalemail.”
“Purecrap,”saidRollins “IneversentanymessagestoSloaneStone Ididn’teven ” “Here’sonerighthere,”Holmesinterrupted,holdinghiscellphoneinfrontofRollins’sface.
“Enough!”Rollinspushedthephoneawayandglaredaroundtheroom.“Listentome.Allofyou.ImetSloaneStoneonce,a yearago,atsomelegalevent.”
“Correct,”saidHolmes.“TheLegalAidSocietyBenefit.LastMay11th.” “That’sright,”saidRollins “Irecognizedherpicturefromthenewswhenshewentmissing Attractivegirl Italkedtoher fortwominutesattheparty.Neversawheragain.Neversentheranyemails. Never. ” Holmesletoutasmallsigh “I’mnotsureyoucanprovethat,Mr Mayor”Hepausedandletthesilencesinkin “Butyour assistantcan.”HeturnedtowardKristin.“AmIright,Ms.Rove?”Kristinstiffened.Hercomposurefaded. HolmesflickedaglanceatMarpleandPoe.Bothwerewide-eyedwithsurprise,asheknewtheywouldbe.HefeltGrey’s handonhisarm.“Holmes!Whatareyoudoing?”
“Revealingthetruth,”saidHolmes.“Painfulasitmaybe.” Kristinturnedtowardthedoorwaybehindher “Security!”
Intwoseconds,aplainclothesofficersteppedthroughthedoorway.Kristinmovedquicklytohisside.“Ineedthesepeople removed,”shesaid “Now!”
“Kristin,calmdown,”saidthemayor.“Whatareyouworriedabout?” Kristinwhippedherhandinsidetheofficer’sjacketandpulledouthishandgun.
Shetooktwoquickstepsbackandpointedtheweaponathischest.“Ontheground!” Theofficerdroppedtohisknees.
Holmessteppedbacktoshieldhispartners He’dbeenexpectingareaction,butnotthisone Ashewatched,Kristin whippedtheguntowardDetectiveGrey,whowasreachingbehindherback.“Goahead,”saidKristin.“Pullitoutslowly.And thenputitonthefloor”
“Holdon,”saidGrey,movingherhandsouttohersides.“Let’stalk.”
“Do it!” shoutedKristin Greyslippedhergunoutofherholsterandlaiditgentlyonthecarpet Kristinwalkedoverand kickedthebuttofthegun,sendingitspinningintoacorner.RollinstookasteptowardKristinandgrabbedherarm.“Whatthe hellareyoudoing?”
Kristintwistedawayandpressedthegunagainstthemayor’sforehead “Don’tfuckingtouchme!”shesaid “Everagain” Rollinsrockedbackward.“Kristin,haveyougonecrazy?”
“She’snotcrazy,Mr Mayor,”Holmessaidcalmly “She’scoldandcrafty OneofthebestI’veeverseen ShekilledSloane Stoneandalmostmanagedtopinitonyou.”
Rollinsstaredathisassistantwithastunnedexpression
“Doyouwanttoheartheevidencenow,Ms.Rove?”saidHolmes.“Icanlayitoutrighthere.Orshouldwewaitforyour writtenstatement?”Hepaused.“Ordoyouplantokillusalltoo?”
“Backoff!”Kristinshouted “Everybodyjust back off!”Sheswiveledthepistolbackandforth,armextended,andstarted movingtowardthedoor.Theinstantsheclearedtheopening,sheturnedanddashedoutarearexitanddownasetofstairs. Outofthecornerofhiseye,Holmessawafigureboltafterher ItwasMarple.
Shetooktwoquickstepsbackandpointedtheweaponathischest.“Ontheground!” Theofficerdroppedtohisknees.
Holmessteppedbacktoshieldhispartners He’dbeenexpectingareaction,butnotthisone Ashewatched,Kristin whippedtheguntowardDetectiveGrey,whowasreachingbehindherback.“Goahead,”saidKristin.“Pullitoutslowly.And thenputitonthefloor”
“Holdon,”saidGrey,movingherhandsouttohersides.“Let’stalk.”
“Do it!” shoutedKristin Greyslippedhergunoutofherholsterandlaiditgentlyonthecarpet Kristinwalkedoverand kickedthebuttofthegun,sendingitspinningintoacorner.RollinstookasteptowardKristinandgrabbedherarm.“Whatthe hellareyoudoing?”
Kristintwistedawayandpressedthegunagainstthemayor’sforehead “Don’tfuckingtouchme!”shesaid “Everagain” Rollinsrockedbackward.“Kristin,haveyougonecrazy?”
“She’snotcrazy,Mr Mayor,”Holmessaidcalmly “She’scoldandcrafty OneofthebestI’veeverseen ShekilledSloane Stoneandalmostmanagedtopinitonyou.”
Rollinsstaredathisassistantwithastunnedexpression
“Doyouwanttoheartheevidencenow,Ms.Rove?”saidHolmes.“Icanlayitoutrighthere.Orshouldwewaitforyour writtenstatement?”Hepaused.“Ordoyouplantokillusalltoo?”
“Backoff!”Kristinshouted “Everybodyjust back off!”Sheswiveledthepistolbackandforth,armextended,andstarted movingtowardthedoor.Theinstantsheclearedtheopening,sheturnedanddashedoutarearexitanddownasetofstairs. Outofthecornerofhiseye,Holmessawafigureboltafterher ItwasMarple.
MARPLELEAPEDDOWN thestonestepsthreeatatimeandkickedoffhershoesatthebottom Shetookoffatasprint,heading acrossthepropertyanddowntowardthecurvedwalkwaythatborderedtheEastRiver.ShecouldseeKristininthedistance, abouttwentyyardsahead,nearthefaredgeofthemansiongrounds
ItwasobviousthatKristinhadshedhershoestoo.Nobodycouldmovethatfastinheels.ButMarplewasclosinginonher. Shewasgladshe’dchosenwide-leggedtrousersthatmorning.Kristinwasyounger,andhadlongerlegs,butMarplecouldtell thathertightskirtwascrampingherstride.Thegunwasstillinherhand.
Inseconds,Marplewasonthepavedpathway,withtheriveronherright.
ShesawKristinturntolookoverhershoulder Marplegainedafewsteps Nowshewasjusttenyardsback WhenKristin turnedforwardagain,akidonabikealmostknockedintoher.Shetippedtotheleft,rockingononefoot.Marpleclosedthe gap ShewrappedherarmsaroundKristin’sshouldersanddrovehertothepavementasthegunclatteredaway “Get the hell off me!” shriekedKristin. “I’ll sue your ass!”
Asthefuriouswomansquirmedandtwistedbeneathher,Marpleheardfootstepscomingupfrombehind. “Freeze!” Grey’svoice.
MarplesawGrey’sgunbarrelpressingagainstKristin’sscalp.Theplainclothesofficerwaspinningherlegs. “Okay,Kristin,”Greysaidbetweenbreaths,“let’stalkaboutSloaneStone” “Youcan’tproveanything!”shoutedthemayor’sassistant. “Youjustthreatenedthemayor,NYPDofficers, and aroomfulofcivilianswithastolengun,Kristin Thenyouran That’s bothcriminalpossessionofafirearmandconsciousnessofguilt.We’llstartthere.”
MarpleeasedherselfoffKristin’sbackandsatonthewalkway,pantinghardasGreycuffedKristinandledheraway.The otherofficersquatteddownatMarple’sside “Youokay?”heasked.“Thatwasameantackle.” “I’mfine,”saidMarple,brushingdirtoffherslacks “Murderbringsoutthebitchinme”
