Murder at the Con: a novella

by Riley Adair Garret

  “I don’t understand. How could I have poisoned myself? And why would I?”

  “You should have read up on how to handle Hemlock, Genny. Once you cut the stem you exposed yourself to the toxic sap inside.” Quinn pulled out her notebook. “Why did you kill Eileen, Genny?”

  “I didn’t!”

  “Was it because she gave your favorite author a bad review?”

  “No! I didn’t kill her!”

  “Was it because she took the reviewer job away from your friend, Sharon?” Quinn eyed Genny. “You told me Sharon was really angry about that. Did you get revenge for her?”

  “Sharon was never going to get that job,” Genny said with a snort. “She didn’t have any experience. I tried telling her that.”

  Quinn noticed the far-away look in Genny’s eyes and the slight shake of her head.

  “She always thought she was a cut above everyone else.”

  Quinn frowned. “Are we talking about the same Sharon here? The Sharon I talked to hardly opens her mouth.”

  “Yes.” Genny looked exhausted. “She never said it out loud, but she’d bitch to me all the time about how other people thought they were so smart.”

  Quinn watched her closely. Her gut was telling her something was off. “All the evidence points to you, Genny. Why should I doubt it?”

  Quinn’s phone went off and she pulled it off her belt. “Quinn…Hey, Rodney…Are you sure…Thanks.” She looked at Genny who looked sweaty and gray. “We’ll resume this conversation later.” She walked out. “Nobody gets in except medical personnel,” she barked at the guard as she sprinted for the elevator. Minutes later she was fishtailing out of the hospital parking lot on her way back to the hotel. She hit the lights and siren and put her foot to the floorboard.

  The car had barely stopped when Quinn rammed it into park and jumped out at the hotel’s front entrance. She barreled through the doors and pushed ahead of the line at the reception counter. Grumblings and shouts of ‘no cutting’ were silenced when she held up her badge.

  “Has Sharon Sumptner checked out yet?” she demanded.

  The desk clerk typed a few commands on his keyboard and then nodded. “Yes. She checked out very early this morning. She was originally in room 709 but—”

  “Yeah, I know all about that. You’re sure she’s gone from her new room?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Shit!” Quinn turned to the line behind her. “Has anyone here seen Sharon Sumptner this morning?”

  “I saw her early this morning,” a woman volunteered.

  “Where?”

  “Right here. I was going to the café for breakfast and she was checking out. She must have had a very early flight.”

  “Do you know what airline she was on?”

  “No.”

  “Where would she be headed?”

  “Florida, I think.”

  Quinn snapped her phone off her belt. “Landry, it’s me.”

  “Hey.”

  Quinn heard the smile in her voice.

  “Are you back?”

  “Yes and no. Do you know where in Florida Sharon lives?”

  “Sharon who?”

  “Sumptner.”

  “Um…I think she lives near Tampa, why?”

  “She’s our killer.”

  “What? How did that happen? What about Genny?”

  “Genny doesn’t use Chaptstick,” was Quinn’s explanation. “I’m on my way to Pulliam airport to see if I can find her.”

  “Wait. I’m going with you.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Sunday

  Quinn put her light on the roof and hit the siren. Luckily there was little Sunday morning traffic as she peeled out of the parking lot.

  “So why are you suddenly after Sharon?” Landry asked as they sped down the highway.

  “Rodney found traces of Hemlock poisoning in an empty Chapstick container in Genny’s luggage.” She slowed slightly then proceeded through a red light.

  “I still don’t get it, then why are we going after Sharon? Were they in on it together?”

  Quinn shook her head. “Genny swore she doesn’t use Chapstick, and while I was grilling her the lab came back with the prints. Sharon’s were the only ones on it, and that reminded me of what Kay Kapinski had said. She said the only people near Eileen’s table when it was bumped was the girl with the long dark hair–Genny–and the girl with the mole–Sharon–and someone dropped a Chapstick. So, we have to find Sharon.”

  Quinn parked haphazardly in front of the airport and she and Landry sprinted into the terminal. They looked at every person in the vicinity of the check-in lines but Sharon was nowhere in sight.

  “She must already be inside. Follow me.” Quinn whipped out her badge and flashed the TSA people. They were passed quickly through to the gate area. Landry headed for the departure board.

  “That won’t help. All flights go through Phoenix. Keep an eye out for her while I ask.” Quinn went to the nearest gate attendant and held up her badge. “I need to know what flight Sharon Sumptner is, or was, on.” She tapped her foot impatiently.

  He consulted his computer and clicked through several screens. “Her ticket is for flight 1809 departing from gate nine at 10:05 a.m.”

  Landry nudged Quinn. “She checked out early, and is early for her flight, seems like she may be running from something, huh?”

  Quinn nodded and pointed down the concourse. “Take that half and I’ll take this half. Yell if you find her.”

  Landry did as she was told. Quinn scrutinized every passenger in each waiting area, becoming more anxious with each gate. What if she’s already gone? Just as she thought to call ahead to the authorities in Phoenix, Sharon popped out of the bathroom no more than twenty feet in front of her. Quinn stared in shocked silence for the span of a heartbeat before bolting into action. She reached her in less than a dozen steps and grabbed her from behind. “Sharon!”

  Sharon came to a sudden halt and turned around. The blood drained from her face. She twisted and tried to pull away. When she was unsuccessful she lashed out with her free hand and hit Quinn in the face.

  Quinn took the blow on her right cheekbone and her head snapped back. Oh, no you don’t! She tightened her grip, ignoring the pain lancing through her face. As Sharon was pulling to get away, Quinn saw her raise her hand for another blow. She pulled her head back to avoid it but the next thing she registered was a noxious cloud. Her eyes began burning. She could barely see and began coughing uncontrollably. She fell to her knees as Sharon pulled away. Quinn tried yelling for help but couldn’t inhale a breath deep enough as she continued to cough. She was struggling to her feet as Landry ran by in pursuit of Sharon.

  ****

  Landry didn’t see Sharon during her search, but turned back toward Quinn just in time to see her take a blow to the face. Her stomach tightened and she sprinted down the concourse. Sharon broke away and plowed through a small family as she ran toward the exit. Landry kicked up her speed. This bitch was not getting away! She whizzed past Quinn. “You okay?”

  Quinn nodded. “Stop her,” she gasped, but Landry was already past.

  Landry was glad she was in shape. She dodged several passengers with the finesse of a football player and was upon Sharon within seconds. She could hear her wheezing and knew if she could get her off balance for even a moment she would go down. When she was close enough she reached out and pushed her. That’s all it took. Sharon went down hard, face first, and the air went out of her. Landry put her hand on the side of her head holding it against the floor as she put a knee on her back. She’d seen it done this way on TV. “Got her!” she yelled back toward Quinn.

  Quinn walked slowly toward them wiping her eyes. Upon reaching them she bent at the waist, hands on her knees, and coughed out, “Good job.” She raised her hand and gave Landry a high five.

  Landry smiled with pride. Maybe she chose the wrong occupation. She kind of liked this. “Thanks, but I’m worried about you. Are you ok
ay? What did she do to you?”

  “She whacked me in the face and pepper sprayed me.” Quinn coughed again and cleared her throat.

  Landry watched as TSA agents approached at a dead run. “Here comes the cavalry.”

  Quinn held up her shield to identify herself. “Detective Quinn, FPD. This is a suspect in a murder case.”

  “Whoa,” one of the men said as they hauled Sharon to her feet.

  “One of the gate agents called to say there was a fight on the concourse,” the other said. “Glad to see you came out on top. What can we do to help?”

  “I’ll need to call my captain and arrange for transport. Is there somewhere you can detain her until they arrive?”

  “Certainly. Just follow us.” They led Sharon away.

  “Thanks, guys.” Quinn followed behind.

  Landry noticed the blow Quinn took to her face was beginning to make itself known as Quinn gingerly touched her cheek. It was swelling.

  “Why don’t you put some cold water on it, and rinse your eyes, too? It might help,” Landry suggested.

  “Good idea. I will once all this is settled.”

  Sharon began struggling as they entered a small room with the TSA logo on the door. “I don’t know what you think you’re doing,” she spat over her shoulder at Quinn.

  “I’m catching a killer,” Quinn retorted. “Sit down.”

  “I’m going to sue your ass!” Sharon bellowed as the two TSA agents pushed her into a chair. “I’ll sue you and your stupid police department! You’ll be sorry you ever met me!”

  Quinn rolled her eyes. “Save it for your trial. Would you like to make a statement?”

  “Fuck you!” Sharon yelled. She stood, and immediately the two agents shoved her back onto the chair.

  “Sit down or we’ll cuff you to the table,” Quinn told her. She addressed the agents. “I’m going to step outside to call my captain.”

  “We’ll be fine in here. Take your time.”

  Quinn leaned against the wall while she waited for her captain to answer his phone. She was in mid-yawn when she heard “Morgan.”

  “Quinn here, sir.”

  “Tell me you got her.”

  “I got her,” Quinn smiled. “Found her at Pulliam. Send a patrol car for her.”

  “Will do.” There was a pause then he finished with, “Good job.”

  Quinn’s smile grew. “Thank you, sir.”

  “Don’t forget to fill out the paperwork so we can book her. And that needs to be done ASAP, Quinn.”

  Quinn sighed audibly. “Yes sir, I know. I’ll leave for the station as soon as she’s in transport.”

  When she stepped back into the room, Sharon was in handcuffs face down on the floor. Quinn raised her brow in question.

  “We had to subdue the suspect, ma’am,” a TSA agent informed her.

  Quinn ignored the slight upturn at the corner of his mouth. “She’s a flight risk,” she said with a nod. “Good job.” She tapped her foot against Sharon’s side. “They’re on their way to take you down to the Flagstaff police station. Is there anything you want to say?”

  “You’ll regret this, asshole!”

  “Oh, I think you’re the one who will regret it,” she said calmly. “Just out of curiosity, why did you kill Eileen?”

  “Fuck Eileen!” Sharon thrashed about on the floor and managed to roll over onto her back. Her face was mottled with rage. “Everyone thought that bitch was so great. She was nothing! Stupid, that’s what she was.” She struggled to sit up and only succeeded in bumping into the table leg. She kicked out with her foot and managed to move the table an inch.

  Before Quinn could move, one of the agents stepped lightly on her ankle. When Sharon continued to kick, he applied more pressure until she howled in pain.

  “You prick! You’re hurting me!”

  “Shut up, bitch,” he said. “You’re giving me a headache.” He looked over at Quinn. “I hope you don’t have to listen to this crap all the way downtown.” He winked at her. “We have some duct tape around here somewhere if you need it.”

  “Fuck you!” Sharon screamed at him. “I’ll kill all of you!”

  “Why did you kill Eileen?” Quinn asked again. “What did she ever do to you?”

  “What she did was take my job! She slept with the owner of that magazine. That’s why they hired her.”

  “You think you’re a better reviewer than Eileen?” Landry thought she was delusional. She probably hadn’t written a review in her life.

  “The stupid bitch didn’t even know how to use the Oxford Comma correctly! She’s a moron! She didn’t deserve that job. Everyone thought she was so high and mighty but she didn’t even know basic grammar.”

  One of the TSA agents’ head snapped toward Quinn. “Are you telling me she killed someone because of a mistake in grammar?” His incredulous look was classic.

  Landry spoke up. “It’s a literary thing, guys. Some people take their commas very seriously.

  “Jesus!”

  “By the way, Sharon Sumptner, you’re under arrest.” Quinn looked down at Sharon who was now banging her head on the floor. “Let’s haul her up before she hurts herself and blames all of us.” She stood back as they unceremoniously pulled Sharon to her feet and dumped her back into the chair. “Stay there this time, Dumbass,” she warned before reading her the Miranda rights.

  Chapter Twelve

  Sunday Afternoon

  Landry glanced at her watch again. She tried to tune in to the various conversations going on around her to help pass the time. Quinn had dropped her at the hotel on her way to the police station. Most of the conference attendees had departed to various parts of the country, but those that were left were gathered in the lounge area near the front doors. There were vows to keep in touch and promises to get together between now and next year’s conference. There were an abundance of hugs, too, and she took advantage of those.

  “I’m exhausted.” Rusty flopped beside her on the loveseat.

  “Me too,” Landry agreed. “It’s been quite a week.”

  Rusty leaned closer and gave her a smile. “I heard you and Detective Quinn got a little chummy.”

  Landry grinned. “Chummy, huh? Yeah, you could say that.”

  “So, is it just a conference fling or something more?”

  Landry hesitated. Was it just a fling? Is that what she wanted? It’s what she usually did at these things after all. She looked Rusty in the eye. “I hope it’s something more.”

  Rusty reached over to squeeze her arm. “I’m glad. The two of you look good together.”

  “Thanks.” Landry glanced at the door again.

  “Is there any more information about Genny? I still can’t believe she killed Eileen.” Rusty shook her head.

  “She didn’t,” Landry said. “The lab report linked the Hemlock poisoning to Sharon, not Genny.”

  Rusty’s mouth hung open. “What? Why?” Her brow furrowed as she tried to put it all together.

  “Apparently, Sharon tried to frame Genny. But Sharon is in custody now, and I helped catch her.” Landry flashed a bright smile.

  “Why am I not surprised?” Rusty laughed heartily.

  Looking up at the sound of the front doors swooshing open Landry’s breath caught as Quinn strode into the foyer and began scanning the area. She stood and waited until Quinn’s gaze landed on her. Time stood still.

  Quinn smiled.

  Landry remembered to breathe again as they started toward each other.

  “Hey,” Quinn said.

  “Hey.” Landry couldn’t contain the joy at seeing her again. She reached for her hand just as Quinn leaned in for a kiss.

  The whoops and hollers from the crowd in the lobby broke them apart quickly and Landry flushed a nice shade of red. She pulled her hand from Quinn’s, but Quinn held on.

  “Everyone is happy for you,” she murmured to her. She slipped her arm around Landry’s shoulders and turned them to face the crowd. “You’re all just je
alous of me,” she called out.

  It started another round of laughter and shouted agreements.

  “Do you need to leave right now?” Quinn asked.

  “What? No, not right this minute.” Landry frowned. Was she trying to get rid of her?

  “Good. Can we go somewhere a little more private. We need to talk.”

  Landry’s heart dropped like a lead ball. Would this be the kiss off? The so long, I had a nice time conversation? She straightened her shoulders and drew away. “Yes. We can go get a cup of coffee. The café isn’t busy right now.”

  “Good. Let’s go.”

  They walked down the hall silently. Landry hoped she wouldn’t make a fool of herself when Quinn told her it had been a nice fling. She had never felt this much for another woman. Why did it have to be someone so far from home? There wasn’t even the chance of an occasional date when they lived in different states. She chose a booth in the back in hopes none of her friends could see her. If she was going to get dumped, she didn’t want an audience.

  Neither of them spoke until the waitress delivered their coffee. Landry kept her eyes on the cup in front of her. If Quinn was going to break her heart, she would force her to make the first move. She wouldn’t make it easy for her.

  “Is everything okay?” Quinn asked after a moment.

  “Yes.” Landry flicked a glance up at her before looking back down at her cup.

  “Are you sorry about this?” Quinn asked.

  This time when Landry looked up she saw the frown on Quinn’s face. “Sorry about what?”

  “About this.” She gestured between the two of them. “I thought we were good.”

  “We are good.” Landry nodded. She’d be damned if she’d let on how much this was hurting.

  Quinn sighed and slumped back against the booth. “Well, you don’t act like we’re good.” She picked up the paper napkin and began shredding it. “I feel like such a fool. I was going to ask if you could possibly stay another day or so.”

  “What?” Landry came forward, nearly spilling her coffee. “What did you say?”