Rusty met them at the door. “Since you’re Master of Ceremonies, I have a table reserved for you near the stage.” She led Landry and Ellery to the table where Rusty’s partner Mary Anne was already seated. They shook hands and made introductions.
Once seated, Landry reached under the table for Ellery’s hand. “You look fabulous in that outfit. Black is definitely your color.” Landry looked her over taking in her black blouse and slacks, complimented by her gray vest and matching tie. She looked hot.
“And that’s the sexiest tux I’ve ever seen.” Ellery squeezed her hand.
“Can you tell us anything about how the investigation is coming along?” Rusty asked.
“I wish I could tell you I know who did it, but unfortunately the investigation is ongoing, and may be even after the conference is over,” Detective Quinn explained.
Landry watched as people began to fill the tables. She never had a problem with self-confidence, but her nerves were getting the better of her this evening. She was certain it was because Ellery was present. She couldn’t recall feeling this way since she was a kid. She paid scant attention to the conversation as she ran over the awards schedule in her mind, at the same time taking note of all the attendees attired in their formal wear. People really got into the awards ceremony, and especially so since they added dinner. She really needed to deliver.
Lucy walked up beside Rusty in her black velour one shoulder dress with a rhinestone studded bodice. “Has it been decided who is going to host next year’s Con?”
Detective Quinn cleared her throat. “Whoever designed that dress had you in mind.” Her voice was almost a growl. Her growl turned into a grimace as Landry’s foot connected with her ankle under the table.
“The current favorite right now is Lake Tahoe,” Rusty said.
“Ooh, nice. Too bad Detective Quinn won’t be there,” Lucy remarked.
Landry connected with Ellery’s ankle again. “Who knows? She might be.”
Lucy raised her eyebrows. “Well, well.”
Just then Lilliputian Pond bounced up to Rusty. “I just had to check to see if you were wearing your ducky earrings tonight!”
“Sure am.” Rusty shook her head making them bounce against her neck. “How could I get through this evening without them?”
Nico’s full-bodied voice called the room to attention. “Good evening, ladies. Welcome to our first annual Dinner Dance and Awards Ceremony. The buffet is being served and there is a cash bar. I will begin calling table numbers. Enjoy, and good luck to the award nominees! Tables one and two, help yourselves to the buffet, but leave some for the rest of us.”
Landry watched as Ellery jumped up and headed straight for the vegan table. “For real? You’re vegan?”
Ellery laughed. “I like to eat vegetarian once a week, and tonight is the night. Besides, this looks great.”
Landry looked at her plate…nah…catching a whiff of roast beef she took a hefty portion, adding potatoes au gratin, green beans, salad, and a large serving of peach cobbler. She turned to Ellery. “Join me at the table with your rabbit food when you’re done.”
Landry moaned in rapture with the first taste of beef au jus and enjoyed every bite until the last sweet taste of peach cobbler. The hotel’s fine red wine complimented the meal. She sat back with a big sigh of contentment as she watched Ellery finish. “How were your nuts, and berries, and grass, and twigs, and…”
Ellery slapped her arm. “I feel healthy. How do you feel?”
“I feel great, but I may need some help working this off. Now aren’t you sorry you didn’t eat the roast beef?” Landry smirked.
Rusty tapped a folder on the table. “Okay, Landry. It’s almost time. Keep it light up there, especially in light of all that’s happened. Move things along, and make people laugh.” Rusty handed Landry the black folder embossed with gold lettering which read SDLC Awards Ceremony. “Here are the awards and presenters.”
Landry flipped it open, glanced over the list, and gave Rusty a reassuring smile. “I’ll do my best.”
As dinner was dying down, Nico took the podium. “Attention, attention, testing, testing, y’all hear me out there?”
Everyone laughed and turned their attention to her.
“How was dinner? Good, great?”
The audience clapped.
“Good. Now it’s time to get this show on the road. In a few moments our one and only Landry Matthews, Master of Ceremonies, will begin the par-tay. Run to the potty, call your folks, pet your cats and dogs, and settle in…ten minutes to showtime!” Nico exited the stage and tapped on Landry’s shoulder. “Let’s get some pictures before you start.”
Landry stood and followed her to the stage ramp. One of the conference photographers was waiting and before Landry was even ready she began clicking away.
“I feel like a movie star.” Landry struck a pose.
“Why don’t you stand over here,” the photographer suggested.
Landry did as she was told.
“Turn to the right…now the left…”
The flash went off again and again.
“Really? This is a bit much isn’t it? This isn’t about me.” Landry felt a tap on her shoulder and heard a timid voice say, “Landry?” She turned to find Genny holding a white flower.
“I picked this for your lapel,” Genny said, smiling proudly.
Registering the white lacey looking flower Landry recoiled. “No!” She blocked Genny with her arm just as she heard Ellery yell, “Drop that!”
Quinn raced to the ramp and clamped her hand tightly around Genny’s wrist. “I said drop it!”
Genny turned toward Quinn with a look of shock on her face. Her eyes rolled back and she crumpled to the floor.
Quinn looked at Landry. “Call 911! I think we just found our killer.”
People jumped up from their seats and surged forward.
Quinn spread her arms wide. “Everybody stay back.”
The crowd was full of questions.
“What’s happening?”
“Is it another murder?”
Rusty rushed to the railing. “What’s happening? Detective Quinn, what can I do to help?”
“We need to calm these people down. They need to remain at their tables. Offer them a drink or something.”
Rusty approached the stage from the opposite ramp and took the microphone. “Excuse me, everybody please be seated. Just stay where you are. The paramedics are on their way.”
Quinn turned to Landry. “Why would she try to kill you?”
“I don’t know, but thank God you’re quick on your feet. That is Hemlock, right?”
“Yep, that’s Hemlock. Don’t touch it.”
Nico stage-whispered, “That’s Hemlock…what the fuck? I thought that went out with Shakespeare.”
Quinn turned toward Nico. “Nico, grab me a cloth napkin then go to the lobby and direct the paramedics here. We need them quickly.”
Nico handed her a napkin then ran out.
Quinn doubled it and carefully picked up the white flower, wrapping it up safely. She put her other hand on Landry’s shoulder. “Jesus, that scared the shit out of me!”
“Scared you? Hell, it petrified me. She was trying to kill me.”
Quinn didn’t have a chance to reply as the paramedics burst into the room. Landry and Quinn moved away to give them room and watched as they checked her vital signs and put the oxygen mask on her. “At least she’s still alive,” Quinn remarked. “Now we can get to the bottom of this.”
Landry reached out for Quinn’s hand.
Quinn squeezed it. “I’m going to have to go to the hospital with her and make sure she’s under armed guard.”
“Go do your job,” Landry said. “But come back tonight…no matter how late it is. I need to know that you’re all right.”
Quinn leaned into Landry’s ear. “I’ll admit it…I want to hold you tonight, too.” A smile flickered across her face.
Landry wasn’t used to these
feelings. She felt her ears burn with heat, and nodded slightly.
“We’re ready to transport,” one of the paramedics called.
“Okay, this needs to go with you.” She handed them the napkin. “Be careful, it’s toxic. They may need that to determine an antidote. Where are you taking her?”
“County General.”
“Okay, I’ll meet you there.” Quinn squeezed Landry’s hand one last time. “Don’t wait up for me.”
“I’m going to.” Landry watched as Quinn followed the gurney out.
Rusty tapped her on the shoulder. “This place is a zoo. I’m afraid your role just became more difficult. You need to lighten this place up.” Rusty looked at her. “You ready?”
Landry nodded and took the stage.
****
Quinn pulled off to the side of the emergency entrance and slapped her police vehicle sign onto the dashboard. She wasn’t more than ten seconds behind the gurney as they wheeled Genny in.
“She’s seizing!” The paramedic shouted to the doctor waiting inside the double doors.
“How long?”
“Just now.”
“Room six.”
The two paramedics pushed her quickly down the hall, the gurney wheels clickity-clacking so loudly that the many interns in the hallway plastered themselves against the wall to keep from getting run down.
Quinn was stopped at the edge of the nurse’s station. “I’m sorry. You have to stay out here while they examine her.” The nurse said it kindly, but there was no leniency in her manner.
“I’m a police officer with the FPD. That patient is a suspect.”
“You can see her when the doctor says you can. Until then, take a seat. I’ll make sure he knows you’re waiting.”
Quinn huffed out a deep breath of frustration, but obediently found a seat in the waiting room. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed Captain Morgan, taking no small measure of happiness that she’d probably be interrupting his dinner. When he finally answered, she stood and went outside. Talking about a suspect inside the hospital was probably not the best idea.
“What is it, Quinn?” His tone conveyed annoyance.
“I think we have the murderer here at the writer’s conference.”
“Yeah? Good. Take her…or is it a him?”
“Her.”
“Take her to lockup and we’ll deal with her in the morning.”
“She’s in the hospital right now.”
There was silence on the line. “Tell me you’re kidding.”
“No, sir. She’s been poisoned.”
“What the fuck?”
“She handled the Hemlock too much and got a dose of poisoning herself.”
“What the hell is the matter with those broads? Are you telling me she was stupid enough to poison herself? Jesus!”
Quinn wanted to take issue with his comment but knew this was not the time.
“Sir…”
“Okay, do whatever you have to do. I suppose you’ll want guards on the room for tonight?”
“Yes. I can’t sit here all night with her. I’ll talk to her in the morning if she pulls through. I need you to send a CSI Unit to Genny Gillespie’s room at the hotel.”
“I’m on it, Quinn.”
“Thanks.” She disconnected before having to field any more of his obnoxious questions.
An hour later, Quinn’s butt was practically numb and her eyeballs floating in coffee. She was on her way back to the vending machine when the doctor called for her.
“Did she make it?”
“Yes, she’s still alive. Do you know who she is?”
“Genny Gillespie is her name, and that’s about all I know. She’s a suspect in a murder case I’m working. Can I talk to her?”
“Not now. We had a close call in there. Hemlock poisoning can be fatal. She had a seizure, which we were able to contain, but it was touch and go for a while. She’s been given a breathing treatment and we sedated her with Lorazepam.”
“I think she handled the plant too much and dosed herself.”
“Unfortunately, Hemlock grows all around this area. It even shows up in gardens. It’s easily mistaken for carrot root, anise, and other edible plants. Even ingesting a small dose can be lethal. The reason she’s alive is because it entered through her skin.”
Quinn felt like she’d heard this before and suppressed a grin. “Ah, that’s good to know doctor. So, when will I be able to question her?”
“We’re keeping her in ICU overnight. If all goes well she will be released to one of the other floors in the morning. You can call to inquire to save yourself a trip.”
“I have a couple of officers coming to guard her room, so don’t be taken by surprise to see them there. If she gets moved they need to be with her at all times.”
“I’ll inform the nurses.”
Chapter Nine
Late Saturday Evening
Landry was tapped out. She was so glad she was down to the final award. She took the stage. “Ladies, it’s time for one of the most coveted awards of our little ole’ lesbian literary conference and you know what it is. Everybody shout on the count of three. One…two…three…”
Nearly two hundred voices chorused, “The Southwest Desert Prickly Cactus Award!”
“Yes! Try to say that three times in a row. This award is given for the most humorous novel of the year, and the finalists are Zelda Zion’s Z is for the Zoo That is My Life, Dawson Daley’s Help Wanted: Only Lesbians Need Apply, and Skye Saffron’s Threesomes for Four or More People. And the winner is…” Landry made a show of tearing open the envelope. “Drum roll.”
The audience banged on the tables.
“Skye Saffron’s Threesomes for Four or More People!”
A deafening roar came from the Equality table as Skye stood up and took a bow. She marched up to the stage and gave her acceptance speech. “Ladies, it’s late, so I’m going to keep this short and to the point. I love you guys! Thanks so much! The party is in my room, whoo-hoo!” She turned and gave Landry a huge kiss on the lips, catching her off guard. “And let’s hear it for our strong, sexy MC!” She held Landry’s hand up as if she won the boxing championship.
The room broke out in clapping, cat whistles, hoots, and hollers.
Finally as Skye stepped off stage, Landry calmed the crowd by lowering her palms to bring down their volume. “That wraps up our awards program. Congrats to all. The dance portion of tonight’s program will reconvene in the Sycamore room. See you there, ladies!”
****
Quinn nearly ran into the automatic doors of the hotel when she got back. She strode inside and stopped at the registration desk to inquire about the arrival of the CSI team. She was informed that they were already upstairs in room 709.
When she disembarked the elevator on the seventh floor she knew immediately which room was 709. The door was propped open and men in blue windbreaker jackets were standing in the hall.
“Hey, Gus,” Quinn called out.
“Hey, Quinn. We’re almost done here. Fingerprint guys left about twenty minutes ago.”
“Did you bag everything?”
“Yeah, but there appears to be two women staying in this room. How do we know what belongs to which one?”
“Yeah, I forgot about that.” She thought for a moment. “Hang on, guys. I’m going to get the other occupant and we’ll get her belongings out of there.” She took the elevator back down to the reception desk and arranged for Sharon to be assigned another room for the night.
Once that was settled and she had the key card she took the elevator up to the Sycamore Room. It was dim and she stood near the door until her eyes adjusted. Her first instinct was to look for Landry even though she was there to find Sharon Sumptner.
She noticed Landry lounging by the bar talking with Rusty. She thought how lucky she was to have found an intelligent, vibrant woman like Landry and how she didn’t want to screw things up. On her way over to her, she scanned the room for Sharon and
saw her sitting alone staring longingly at the dance floor. She figured she would be there for a few more minutes, so she stayed on track toward Landry. When Landry looked her way Quinn felt her heart jump. How could this woman do this to her?
Landry walked straight toward her. “Hey,” she said, taking her hand. “You made it back.”
Quinn nodded. “Yeah, but I’m here on business. I’m here for Sharon.”
“Why Sharon?”
“She’s rooming with Genny and the CSI Unit is up there now. We need to get Sharon’s clothes out of there and put her in another room for the night.”
“Ah…will you be done then?”
“Afraid not. I have to stay with the CSI team until they’re finished collecting evidence.” She could see the disappointment on Landry’s face.
“Will I see you at all tonight?”
“Why don’t you give me your room key? You have an extra don’t you?”
Landry lit up. “Absolutely.” She dug the key card out of her wallet and handed it to Quinn. “I wish I could kiss you right now.”
Quinn grinned suggestively. “Save it for later.” She squeezed her hand then turned and headed for Sharon who noticed Quinn, and seemed rather uncomfortable.
Quinn walked over and sat beside her. “How are you feeling?”
Sharon looked confused. “What do you mean?”
“Well, it’s come to light that your friend and roommate may have murdered Eileen. That has to be hard on you.”
Sharon simply stared at her.
“How long have you two been friends?”
“I don’t see what our being friends has to do with her being a murderer.” Sharon was defensive. “We’ve been friends for three years, and, no, I never would have guessed that she would have done something like this, if that’s what you mean.”
Quinn nodded and stood. “Well, if you’ll please come with me we need you to remove your clothes from your room so the CSI Unit can continue collecting evidence. We’ve also moved you to another room for tonight.” She sensed Sharon bristle. “No charge.”
Sharon nodded and followed her.
Quinn glanced at her several times during the elevator ride to the seventh floor. She seemed to be taking the whole situation in stride. She didn’t say a word during the trip and Quinn was too tired to care. Once on the seventh floor, she tapped on the door to alert the CSI Unit they were there. “When we enter this room, make sure you don’t touch anything that’s not yours. Just grab your things.
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