A Study In Murder
Page 28
?“Well, about that—”
?“What’s the matter, couldn’t get it up?” I sneered.
?For
only a second, I saw a flash of anger appear on his face, and I had to admit it both scared and excited me. Mark seemed like this sweet guy, but there was a fire in him, one that he controlled very well.
?“Actually, I don’t know what happened last night,” he expressed in a quiet and sincere tone.
?“What?” I blurted in shock.
?“I admit I went to her room, and it did seem as if…well…something was about to happen.”
?“What does that mean?” I nagged impatiently.
?“She was in lingerie, all right?” he bickered, a bit annoyed.
?“I know, I saw her.”
?“That’s right,” he agreed and gave a nod. “When things…started, I…uh…blacked out.”
?“Blacked out?” I repeated.
?“And woke up at noon today in my own room. Like you pointed out, I was terribly hungover, yet I only had two glasses of wine last night. Oh yes, and one glass of cognac in her room.”
?I reached into a side pocket on my outfit and extracted a tiny notebook along with the short stub of a pencil. I glanced around the room, moved close, and lowered my voice. “Do you think you were drugged?”
?“What are you doing?” he wondered.
?“I take notes. Go on,” I shrugged.
?He considered it for a moment, and then went on. “Well, drugged…seems like the only logical explanation I can come up with.”
?“But why would she do that?”
?“I have no idea. And I have been unable to locate Candy today to ask her about it. However, I’m pretty sure that I did not sleep with her.”
?“You merely wanted to,” I said, and scribbled a few things in the notebook.
?He looked down at his hands, and I could see the pain on his face. “Sheryl, I have spent the last two years in my apartment avoiding people. To have an attractive woman throw herself at me—”
?“Good for the ego,” I agreed and looked up at the ceiling wistfully. “She probably pursued you because she knew I was a fan.”
?“You’re a fan of me?”
?“Yes, I always brought up your name at Northeast Mystery Club meetings, despite the ravings of Mr. Alexander. In fact, you were the inspiration to write my first Holmes book.”
?“Then why did you go after me so vehemently last night, and again today?”
?“I saw you in the lobby yesterday. I was about to come over and introduce myself…but that…that…person was there with you.”
?“Candy?”
?“Yes. And Jon Kane and Charles Nederlander. Ever since the divorce, I’m considered persona non grata by that entire group. You see, Randall was one of the founding members, and Charles is his partner in his financial business.”
?“What does your husband do?”
?“Ex-husband. He’s an investment counselor, and Charles takes care of the legal end. He’s a lawyer. Jon Kane is the insurance part of the team but plays a minor role. They’ve closed ranks to shut me out.”