Page 34 of Gumbo, Ghosts, and Deadly Deception
Maggie stared at me. “Good question. So she hit her head? It was a small amount of blood, just a few drops, really.”
“The water wasn’t really bloody. Just…pink.” There went my stomach again. “Obviously the police factored that all in and aren’t really sharing anything with us.”
"Another reason to assume murder.”
I nod.
“Motive for her murder: She came back to New Orleans to expose what happened to Francine Darrow in 1984. We presume, anyway. That’s no guarantee."
"Which, according to Aunt Odette's journal, involved Claude Broussard arresting Francine and then something bad happening while she was in custody."
"And Father Claude was romantically involved with young Mary Vallon and was feeding information about the Bergeron Circle to his brother at the police department."
I took a sip of coffee, trying to organize my thoughts. "Current suspects: Father Claude, who had a motive to keep his past secret. Hollis, who might be protecting his father's reputation. And Ginger, who was found with angel's trumpet and a mysterious key."
"Except Ginger was also poisoned," Maggie pointed out. "Unless she accidentally dosed herself."
"Or someone wanted us to think she was the killer." I paused. "What did she mean about 'hidden'? She specifically said not basement."
"Could be the attic? Or..." Maggie's eyes lit up. "What about between floors? Old houses like yours sometimes have hidden spaces between the ceiling and the floor above."
That was actually a really good point. "The house is definitely old enough to have that. I think it was probably meant to prevent noise from carrying. And heat."
"You know we can’t really eliminate the other guests as suspects either," Maggie said. “They were all there. Everyone had the opportunity. We just might not know about the motive.”
“I think we can cross off Pete and Jan and the teen girls because they weren’t there when it happened,” I said. “Maybe Arthur was in his room? I’m not sure. The French couple were out for the night.”
“Good point. So we’ll add Arthur to the list. Plus, Beau.”
“I don’t think Beau is capable of murder.”
“Everyone is capable of murder. What have we been talking to our listeners about for the last three years?” Maggie looked at me like I’d lost my mind.
“You’re right.” She was right, what could I say?
"How are you feeling about having guests again?” she asked. “I know this whole thing has been traumatic."
I sighed. "Honestly? I'm terrified someone else is going to die. But I can't afford to keep the B&B closed. The bank doesn't care about suspicious deaths."
The house had been paid off for decades but there was an equity line of credit that had been used for repairs over the years. It wasn’t insurmountable, but when you added in property taxes and the cost of running the place day to day, it didn’t leave much for me to pay myself.
"Very practical of you."
"Aunt Odette would not be happy. She would want more respect shown for Delia."
“Have you ever wondered how Odette made the finances work? Because you’re always worried about money.”
I had. Over and over. But it felt disrespectful to question my great-aunt’s money prowess. “I just worry by nature. I only feel safe at full occupancy.”
Maggie grinned. “Well, the dead don't pay bills, but the living sure do.”
“Uh, lies. The dead technically do pay our bills thanks to Gumbo and Gris Gris.”
“Oh, my God, good point. If a little morbid. So what can we conclude about Delia’s death?”
“Nothing definitive. She could have poisoned herself and a nosy Ginger accidentally poisoned herself. Or Ginger killed Delia and then accidentally poisoned herself. Or poisoned herself on purpose. Or they were both poisoned by someone else.”
“That really does leave the field wide open.”
