"A Murder In Milburn", Book 4: Death By Ice Cream by Nancy McGovern Page B

Joe never was. He taught me how all the machines work. Back then, he was just a worker on the factory floor, but he was always a favorite with the guys.”
    “With the guys, maybe. Certainly not with the girls, I’m sure.”
    “You’d be surprised. He was very handsome, and everyone knew he was going to reach a high position someday,” Bernard said. “Joe can be a little stupid where women are concerned, but he wouldn’t murder one! I remember how kind he was to me, and he had no reason to be.”
    “Of course, he had reason to be! He was ambitious and you were the boss’ son,” Simone said.
    “I don’t want to hear another word about this. Joe is a good guy. He wouldn’t do this,” Bernard said. “Simone, we’ve got to move past this. The whole affair is messy, and it can have some lasting repercussions for our factory. Have you thought about that? We could be caught in a very bad scandal.”
    “Is that why you’re so eager for Harvey to get convicted quickly?” Nora asked, suddenly furious. “You just want to tie up loose ends?”
    “I think he’s done it,” Bernard said. “It’s clear to me that it’s either you or him. Joe can’t be the one. Your theory about him pretending to drop off the keys and then leaving us is simply ridiculous. Of course I would have noticed that!”
    “Would you?” Simone asked. “I’m not so sure. You were busy cooking, and in between, answering work emails. I was busy tucking Will in.”
    “I’m very sure,” Bernard said. “Sean is an excellent sheriff, and if he thinks Harvey’s done it,   then that’s good enough for me. As a matter of fact, I’m going to cancel our contract with his company. I can’t possibly let them work for us after this.”
    Frustrated after her altercation with Bernard at the ice-cream factory, Nora took a long winding drive before heading back to the diner. She needed to be alone with her thoughts, and maybe some time in the company of the Teutons would help sort her out. She parked her car on the shoulder of the highway, and sat on a small bench at the viewpoint, looking out at the glorious scene in front of her. No matter what was happening in her life, the sheer grandiosity of Wyoming’s landscape always overwhelmed her with joy. It was almost like visiting a shrine. The mountains stood rugged over vast yellow fields, bordered at the edges by trees, and dotted at the edges by mirror-like lakes.
    A few deep breaths later, she was on her way back to the diner. Tina would need help, she knew. No matter how much she wanted to chase down the killer, she’d have to take it slow.
    Business was still slow at the diner, however, and Tina was happily talking to a customer when Nora entered.
    “Hi, Nora.” Tina waved to her. “Dr. Kurt dropped in to say hi.”
    Dr. Kurt Neil was the town doctor, and had been for as long as Nora could remember. She suspected he had even helped in the birth of her own mother. He looked a little bit like Einstein in his crazy-scientist days, with a shock of white hair that was always messy, and twinkling eyes that seemed to see through most people. He gave her a friendly wave, and patted the bar-stool next to him.
    “Come have a cup of coffee with us,” Dr. Kurt said.
    “I’d rather have a mint mocha milkshake actually,” Nora said. She batted her eyes at Tina. “Would you, Tina?”
    “Fine, I’ll make it, but you owe me one,” Tina teased. “Keep the Doctor company, will you? I’m dying to hear his thoughts about the case.”
    “Oh, I couldn’t tell.” Dr. Kurt put up his hands. He often helped out with forensics in the tiny town.
    “Well, the news is already out,” Nora said. “Sleeping pills, followed by an injection of ammonia killed her.”
    “That’s correct,” Dr. Kurt said, looking astonished. “How did you figure that one out, Nora? Very brilliant of you.”
    “There was a syringe found next to her body, and a bottle of sleeping pills in her pocket,” Nora said.