A Study In Murder

?I put my robe back on, slipped into my bedroom, and was dressed in a few short minutes. I sat down to eggs, bacon, toast, and fresh coffee.

?“You are an amazing woman, Sheryl,” I said.

?“Don’t get used to it,” she replied flatly. “I’m just visiting.”

?I laughed and we ate.

?“What is your plan for the day?” I took a sip of coffee.

?“This entire case revolves around the conference,” Sheryl pondered. “Randall was deeply involved in the Northeast Mystery Club. Someone there must know something. We only have until Sunday, so we should get down there and find out what we can.”

?“Finding Candy Poole would be first on my list.”

?She extracted her notebook and reviewed a few pages. “You said that the last time you saw her was Wednesday night?”

?“Yes, in her room, before I blacked out.”

?“You didn’t see her yesterday at all?”

?“No, I kept missing her, and then the police—”

?“I wonder what she used on you?” Sheryl considered as she thoughtfully nibbled on her toast and glanced at her notes.

?“Why?”

?“Well, if she used Rohypnol, you should have enough motor control and been suggestible enough that she could have walked you back to your room.” She wrote another line in the pad.

?“Wouldn’t I remember that?”

?“No, Rohypnol’s major effect is loss of memory. However, it usually takes ten to twenty minutes to take effect. Now, if she used Ketamine, which is an animal sedative, it would explain why it would have worked so quickly and gave you the hangover the next day.”

?“But then she would have to carry me back to my room,” I pointed out.

?“Not an easy trick for Candy,” she hypothesized. “So, we’ll assume you were cooperative.” She pulled out her cell phone and quickly input a number.

?“Who are you calling?”

?She shushed me and began to talk. As she did, she got up from the table and wandered away. I continued eating.

?“Okay, Sylvia, thanks,” she said before she put her phone and notebook away. “You got anything to hold a urine specimen?”

?“I—I have some jelly jars with lids. They’re clean,” I offered.

?“I have a friend who is a hospital technician. She told me that Rohypnol can be tested in the urine for up to seventy-two hours.”

?“I guess we should check soon.”

?I quickly located one of the jars leftover from some jelly Susie and I bought at a farmer’s market. As I went into the bathroom and provided my sample, I reflected on how almost everything I owned brought me back to a memory with Susie.

?Was it any wonder I couldn’t get over her? I’d have to sell everything.

? I sealed the jar. As I came out of the bathroom, Sheryl handed me the paper bag she’d carried the lock in.

?“We’ll take it there in this,” she said, “and drop it off at the hospital on our way. Now, let’s get to that lock.”

?I pulled my toolbox out from the bedroom closet, and we got to work on the middle lock.

?“Shouldn’t we replace all of them?” I suggested.