by Mary Burton
“I’m Jillian Holmes, Harvey Owens’ personal assistant. Harvey’s the curator of this gallery.”
“When was the last time you saw him?”
“Last night. We are getting ready for a big art opening. We left about eleven thirty or eleven forty-five last night. Harvey stayed behind, but he wanted Angie and me to come in early to finalize details.”
“Was he with anyone?” The officer jotted notes in a small black notebook.
“I don’t think so,” Jillian said.
“I’m going to need a list of everyone that was here yesterday and last night.”
“We had a lot of people coming and going yesterday.”
“Any security cameras?”
“The unit is in Harvey’s office. He has a couple of cameras in here and one outside over the back door.”
“Do you have contacts for his next of kin?” the sergeant asked.
Jillian nodded and said, “And his partner, Isa Prescott.”
“Is there anyone who would like to see him hurt?”
Jillian hesitated. “He wasn’t always the most popular person. He was pretty well known on the Richmond art scene, but there were people he had conflicts with. Let’s just say he was abrasive. He had a loud discussion yesterday with an artist about money.”
The sergeant frowned. “With whom?”
“Marilyn Culpepper,” Jillian said.
“Are you two the only employees?” Sgt. Mason asked.
Jillian nodded as the EMTs navigated a gurney through the gallery to the office.
“Did he act concerned, angry, or depressed lately?”
“Not really. He was short-tempered most of the time and had dust ups with some of the artists or vendors. I don’t think any of the arguments were ever serious.”
“Can you get me those names and a list of your regular artists?”
Jillian nodded and stepped behind Angie’s desk for pen and paper. She reached for the laptop to get the contacts.
Sgt. Mason held up his hand. “Wait. Leave that there until forensics has a chance to look at it.”
“Okay.”
Angie said, “Anyone want coffee? I can make some.”
“No,” said Officer Ridgely. “We want to look over the entire property, so I need you two to stay here until everything’s cleared. Please don’t touch anything.”
A forensic team entered through the front. The first one went through the door, nodded at Sgt. Mason and headed toward Harvey’s office.
“Stay here,” Sgt. Mason said and followed the forensic team to the next room.
An hour later, the three EMTs wheeled the gurney out with Harvey’s swollen body under a white sheet.
“Did you see that?” Angie whispered. “Harvey’s really dead. Do you think they suspect us?”
“What? No.”
“I guess I shouldn’t mention to the police that I wished him dead a thousand times. And now that it’s happened, I’m kind of in shock,” Angie said.
Jillian glared at her.
“The cops asked me if Harvey had any enemies or people he had altercations with,” Angie said. “He wants me to make a list of people who didn’t like him. Who has time to put that kind of list together? It would be book size.”
“I guess we hang out here until they’re done,” Jillian said. “I’m going to put a closed sign on the door.”
The morning crept into early afternoon as the young women watched the forensic team meticulously move from Harvey’s office to the kitchen area and the galleries. Jillian logged into the laptop for one of the technicians, and he downloaded files on a thumb drive.
Around three o’clock, the team packed their evidence gear and other equipment and left. Sgt. Mason strode to the reception area, and Angie put down her phone as he approached.
“The forensic team has finished its work here,” Sgt. Mason said. “I’m turning the site over to you. Call whomever you need to and figure out your next steps. You will probably want to get a cleaner in here that specializes in disasters. Here’s my card. Call me if you think of anything relating to Mr. Owens’ death.”
“Thank you,” Jillian said. “What happened to him?”
“The autopsy will reveal the cause. There were no visible gunshots or stabbing wounds. I would call it suspicious for now.”
After the two officers left, Jillian said, “I should call the Ilsa and find a cleaner. I need to stay busy.”
“I probably should start polishing the ol’ resume,” Angie said. “I’m going to grab some food. Do you want me to bring you something back?”
Jillian’s stomach growled. “Yep. A burger or a sandwich, please.”
By the time Angie returned with Styrofoam containers from the deli down the block, Jillian had contacted Ilsa and found a cleaner. After they ate the late lunch, Jillian disposed of the empty cartons just as Ilsa appeared.
“Thank you coming over so quickly,” Jillian said. “Right now, that room is kind of a biohazard but the cleaners will be here tomorrow. The police and the forensics team have searched every inch of this place.”
“I’m still stunned at Harvey’s death. I’ve been on the phone with the police for hours.” Ilsa looked around the gallery. “Thank you both so much for taking charge and staying during all the chaos. I appreciate all that you do for the gallery. I know you two are the reason the gallery is a success. I’d like to talk to you all about running the gallery.”
Jillian took a deep breath and nodded. “Thank you so much for the confidence you have shown in us. It would be my pleasure to run the gallery.”
“And Angie, your job is also secured.”
“Thank you.” Angie sighed.
“What did the police say?” Jillian asked.
“The sergeant said that he is waiting on the autopsy results before he can determine if someone did harm to Harvey or whether he did it to himself. They guessed that it was some sort of poison,” Ilsa said as she shifted from one foot to another. “Until we know exactly what it was, I would recommend cleaning out the kitchen and not using anything that’s been opened.”
“Are you serious?” Angie blurted out. “Someone could have tried to poison all of us?”
“Doubtful, but we don’t know yet,” Ilsa said. “The police have released the site, but I wouldn’t take any chances.”
“I’ll clean out the kitchen tomorrow,” Jillian said.
“Good,” she said. “Let me know if you need anything. Let’s say we all meet here on Tuesday at ten. We’ll go over the books and the event schedule for the next quarter.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Jillian said. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“Before I leave, Jillian, I want to tell you that I think you did a wonderful job with this display. It highlights my collection superbly, especially the blood goblet. You’ve got an eye for art,” she said as she pointed to the glassware and the stoneware below it.
Jillian looked up at the blood goblet seeing it for the first time today. There was moisture on the glass and around the stem. It looked like it had been washed and put away damp. “That’s odd. That’s not how we left it last night,” she mused.
“I love that goblet,” Ilsa said. “It’s irresistible to a specific type of man—the greedy and dishonest sort who see its legend as a challenge. It has been useful to me through the years. My husband, Ira, was drawn to it. He couldn’t resist seeing if the legend were true. It was true—but not for him.”
Jillian stared at her new boss. What was she suggesting?
“And now, it’s worked its magic again, this time for both of us,” Ilsa continued, smiling. “But you might want to wipe up that goblet and shelf yourself, and burn the rag. Harvey left a mess everywhere last night.”
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Frances Aylor, CFA, combines her investing experience and love of travel in her financial thrillers. Money Grab is the first in the series. www.francesaylor.com
Mollie Cox Bryan is the author of cookbooks, articles, essays, poetr
y and fiction. An Agatha Award nominee, she lives in Central Virginia. www.molliecoxbryan.com
Lynn Cahoon is the NYT and USA Today author of the best-selling Tourist Trap, Cat Latimer, and Farm-to-Fork mystery series.
www.lynncahoon.com
J.A. Chalkley is a native Virginian. She is a writer, retired public safety communications officer, and a member of Sisters in Crime.
Stacie Giles lived many places before settling in Virginia where she is returning to ancestral Southern roots, including a grandfather who was a Memphis policeman.
Barb Goffman has won the Agatha, Macavity, and Silver Falchion awards for her short stories, and is a 23-time finalist for U.S. crime-writing awards. www.Barbgoffman.com
Libby Hall is a communication analyst with a consulting firm in Richmond, Virginia. She is also a blogger, freelance writer, wife, and mother of two.
Bradley Harper is a retired Army pathologist. Library Journal named his debut novel, A Knife in the Fog, Debut of the Month for October 2018. www.bharperauthor.com
Sherry Harris is the Agatha Award-nominated author of the Sarah Winston Garage Sale mystery series and is the President of Sisters in Crime. www.sherryharrisauthor.com
Maggie King penned the Hazel Rose Book Group mysteries. Her short stories appear in the Virginia is for Mysteries and 50 Shades of Cabernet anthologies. www.maggieking.com
Kristin Kisska is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime, and programs chair of the Sisters in Crime—Central Virginia chapter. www.kristinkisska.com
Samantha McGraw has a love of mysteries and afternoon tea. She lives in Richmond with her husband and blogs at Tea Cottage Mysteries. www.samanthamcgraw.com
K.L. Murphy is a freelance writer and the author of the Detective Cancini Mysteries. She lives in Richmond, Virginia, with her husband, four children, and two dogs. www.Kellielarsenmurphy.com
Genilee Swope Parente has written the romantic mystery The Fate Series with her mother F. Sharon Swope. The two also have several collections of short stories. www.swopeparente.com
Deb Rolfe primarily writes mystery novels. This is her first published short story. She and her husband enjoy life in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
Ronald Sterling is the author of six books and draws upon his colorful and varied life experience as a U.S. Airman, saloonkeeper, private detective, realtor, and New Jersey mayor.
S.E. Warwick, in the last century, earned a bachelor’s degree in American Studies. Ever since, she has been trying to decipher the American enigma.
Heather Weidner is the author of the Delanie Fitzgerald Mysteries. She has short stories in the Virginia is for Mysteries series, 50 Shades of Cabernet, and To Fetch a Thief. She lives in Central Virginia with her husband and Jack Russell terriers.
www.heatherweidner.com
ABOUT THE EDITORS
Mary Burton is a New York Times, USA Today, and Kindle best-selling author. She is currently working on her latest suspense. www.maryburton.com
Mary Miley is a historian and writer with 14 nonfiction books and 5 mystery novels to her credit. www.marymileytheobald.com