Away in a Murder by Tina Anne

I’m sure you’re in shock. I’d get you something stronger but Frankie told me you don’t drink,” he said.
    I sat next to Frankie.
    “Mom, who was it?”
    “Al Learner. And he had Nigel’s penguin knife sticking out of him,” I said.
    Pete handed me a Dr. Pepper and sat down on the other side of me.
    “Are you sure?” Frankie asked. “About the knife I mean.”
    “Pretty sure. I admire it every time I’m in Nigel’s office.”
    “Oh, damn,” Frankie said.
    “What?” Pete said.
    “That means Mom’s fingerprints are all over it. If the killer wore gloves my mom could be a suspect.”
    “Oh, that’s bad,” Pete said.
    “You know what that means, Frankie?” I asked.
    We just looked at each other for a moment while Pete just stared and waited.
    “Yes,” Frankie said, “it means that we have another murder to solve.”
    Frankie got up from the couch, went in to my office, and came back out with a notebook and a pen in hand. He sat back down and said, “Ok, who are the other suspects?”
    “Me. Nigel. Dad. You. And I don’t know who else,” I said. “Probably lots of people though.”
    “Me?” Frankie said.
    “You. He accused us of having an inappropriate relationship on national TV. You are well known in the field of finance. Something like that could be very bad publicity for you.”
    “Good point,” Frankie said. “Pete you do this you have better hand writing.”
    Frankie handed the notebook and pen to Pete. Pete titled one page in the notebook with the names of each of the suspects.
    “Ok, I get the reason you, Frank, and Frankie might be suspects. I wrote those down. But why Nigel? Just because his knife was in the victim?” Pete asked.
    “Well, that is some pretty compelling evidence,” I said.
    “Yes, but couldn’t somebody have taken it from his office?” Pete asked. I think he was going in to lawyer mode.
    “Yes,” I said. “That list includes me, Frankie, and Frank.”
    “Ok, but who else has access to his office? Almost everyone, he never locked it. That didn’t help,” Frankie asked
    “Frankie, go research Al’s past. See if he’s crossed paths with anyone else from the company,” I said
    “I’ll help,” Pete said. “I’m not as good with a computer but I don’t suck at it either.”
    “We’ll go upstairs and do that. Anything important comes up we’ll let you know, Mom. Otherwise I’ll see you tomorrow when we walk to work.”
    Pete took the notebook and pen with him and they both left. I went in to my bedroom and changed in to comfortable pajamas. I didn’t know how well I’d sleep, but at least I’d be comfortable.
     
     
    ***
     
     
    Morning came much too soon. I wasn’t sure how much I’d actually slept, if I had at all. However I got showered and dressed for work as usual. I wasn’t sure that I wanted to go in to work today. After all a knife belonging to my PR guy was sticking out of the dead body of the man who interviewed and embarrassed me and my family on national TV. It wouldn’t be a good day. Interesting, but not good.
    I was blasting my favorite music to help me think. I was just sitting down to my breakfast when my doorbell rang. It was Marlowe. He was still dressed in the clothes he wore last night. I let him in.
    “What the hell are you listening to?” he yelled.
    I went over to my stereo and turned down the volume. I’d forgotten how loud it was. Loud helps me think.
    “It’s a band called Thor and the Imps . This is their 1977 album, Keep the Dogs Away ,” I said.
    “Dear God. People actually listened to that stuff?”
    “Yes, they did,” I sneered at him.
    He looked over at my stereo. “And it really is an album?” he said.
    “Oh, yea, this is the original album.”
    “Impressive. But Heavy Metal?”
    “Heavy Metal helps me think. The louder the better. That or absolute silence.”
    “Just one more interesting thing I’ve learned about you,” Marlowe said looking a bit more afraid than interested.
    I sat