"Albert, Susan Wittig - An Unthymley Death" - читать интересную книгу автора (Albert Susan Wittig)

Luella nodded. "Aunt Hannah realized that she'd made a dangerous mistake, giving Jessica a job and letting her live in the garage apartment. And worse, naming her as her beneficiary. The woman has a green thumb, but she's simply taken over the place. She pushed poor Aunt Hannah right out of her own garden!"

"It's true, then, that Jessica Powell will inherit this place?" I asked.

Luella nodded. "Aunt Hannah called you, China, because she wanted you to help her rewrite her will. She had finally got up her courage and decided she had to get rid of Jessica. But unfortunately, she died before..."

She was interrupted by a knock on the screen door. We turned to see two uniformed police officers standing on the porch. "We're looking for Ms. Mitchell," one of them said, through the screen. "Hannah Mitchell's niece."

"I'm Luella Mitchell." She stood, her face suddenly apprehensive. "What can I do for you?"

The officer held out a paper. "We have a warrant to search the residence of Jessica Powell."

"My apartment?" Jessica Powell asked angrily. She had suddenly materialized beside the porch. "What are you looking for?"

"Please show us your living quarters, Ms. Powell," the officer said without answering her question. The two men followed her through the garden, in the direction of the two-story garage.

"Why have they come?" Luella asked in a bewildered voice. "What in the world do you suppose they're looking for?"

"They're looking for evidence," I said. "Evidence of a crime."

Ruby's eyes were large. "Murder?" she whispered.

"Your guess is as good as mine," I said grimly.

- - - - - - - - - -

Notes for Episode Three:

HOP (Humulus lupulus) is best known as an aromatic, bitter-tasting herb used to preserve and flavor beer. But it has also been used for centuries as a digestive aid and mild sedative. (Just try staying awake in the shade of a large, blooming hop vine!) If you're looking for a fast-growing herbal vine, this is it. Cut it back to the ground in the fall and it will return vigorously in spring.

SCENTED GERANIUMS aren't geraniums at all, but Pelargoniums, native to Africa and brought to Europe and England in the 17th century. Most of these lovely, strong-scented perennials are quite tender, so plan to take cuttings or move the plant indoors for winter. China's favorite varieties include lemon, nutmeg, rose, and peppermint geraniums.

- - - - - - - - - -

EPISODE FOUR

Fifteen minutes later the officers were back. Jessica Powell was with them, stony-faced and silent -- and handcuffed.

"But I don't understand!" Luella exclaimed. "Why are you arresting her?"

One officer gave her a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, ma'am, but your aunt didn't die of natural causes. The autopsy report you requested indicates that she was poisoned."

"Poisoned!" Luella whispered. Her hand went to her heart. "But -- but how? What kind of poison?"

The other deputy held up a plastic evidence bag. "Nicotine poisoning," he said.

In the bag was a can of chewing tobacco.

Later that day, Ruby and I were seated at the table in the dining room of Ramona's and Barbara's home, finishing a delicious dinner. It was a pretty room, with a pair of French doors that opened out onto a stone patio bordered with rosemary, and the setting sun cast a golden light over Ramona's garden. The two women bought the house together last year. Barbara is a lawyer, and Ramona has her own interior decorating business.