52 Steps to Murder by Steve Demaree
Authors: Steve Demaree
Tags: Humorous, Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Mystery; Thriller & Suspense, cozy, General Humor, Humor & Satire, Culinary
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from themselves.
I became more confused by the minute. I decided to put the case away until the next morning. Who knows? Maybe the lawyer, the mailman, the grocery boy, or the maid might be able to shed more light on the case.
+++
It was time to relax. Nothing relaxes me more than laughter, and nothing makes me laugh quite like some of the classic TV comedies I grew up with. I bought myself a DVD player last Christmas, and Lou got me a couple DVDs to play on it. When I celebrated my birthday a couple of weeks ago, Lou came through in grand style. While I don’t have DVDs of all my favorite shows, I have a good start. Besides, God willing, I will live to celebrate more birthdays and Christmases.
I rose from the chair and walked to the storage cabinet where I kept my new collection. I perused my choices, selected something to take my mind off my work. I plucked a DVD of Make Room for Daddy, starring Danny Thomas. I remember watching the show as a child. Back then, I laughed as Danny’s children and his wife got the best of him in each episode. I put in the DVD and sat back to enjoy. It seems not much has changed in all those years. Real comedy never goes out of style, at least not in my house.
13
Sam Schumann is a good friend and a good cop. He’s a gentle man who can get tough when he needs to. He has no outstanding physical features, which allows him to blend in no matter what the situation. All of this makes him an ideal investigator for the police department. When I want answers, I turn to Sam Schumann. I allowed Sam to spend a peaceful weekend before involving him in the Nelson murder case. Two days off were enough. It was time for Sam go to back to work.
“Good morning, Sam.”
“Hi, Cy. You must have something for me. Otherwise you wouldn’t bother me so early on a Monday morning.”
“Your deductive powers are amazing, Sam. That’s the reason I always call you when I need to know something.”
“I’m your man, Cy. What’ve you got?”
“A woman named Ethel Nelson was found dead in her home on Hilltop Place Saturday morning. She was murdered. Poisoned. Codeine. Check with Frank if you have any questions regarding the codeine. Then check around and see if anyone with a Hilltop Place connection bought any codeine. A few days ago an ambulance was dispatched to take Mrs. Nelson to the hospital. She had a broken left arm and leg, plus bruises on her body. See what you can find out about that. Also, see if you can find out if her granddaughter Angela Nelson inherits her estate.”
“Anything else, Cy?”
“Yeah, keep writing, Sam. Numbers 101 and 105 Hilltop Place are vacant. See if you can find out who owns those houses. And I have some other people for you to check on. There’s a Mrs. Reynolds on Hilltop Place. Her son Jimmy lives with her. Jimmy’s not right. Supposedly, he lost it in the war. One of the neighbors said Jimmy came running from Mrs. Nelson’s house screaming the day she suffered her broken bones. See, what you can find out about the Reynoldses.
“I’ve got one more for you to check on. His name is Stanley Silverman. He lived across the street from the murdered woman, and he seems to have seen everything except the murder. See what you can find out about him. Also, check on his mother. She died a few months ago. Find out if she died of natural causes and see what else you can tell me about Stanley and his mother.”
“I’m running out of paper and time, Cy. I hope this is all.”
“It is for the time being. I’m sure there’ll be more.”
“When do you want this, Cy? Two weeks?”
“Take your time, Sam. No hurry. Tomorrow morning will be fine.”
I chuckled as he hung up. I knew Sam well enough to know he was laughing too.
+++
I wondered what the day held for this detective duo. As soon as Lou opened the car door on Monday morning, I could contain myself no longer. I spewed out my question.
“Any messages from God today,
I became more confused by the minute. I decided to put the case away until the next morning. Who knows? Maybe the lawyer, the mailman, the grocery boy, or the maid might be able to shed more light on the case.
+++
It was time to relax. Nothing relaxes me more than laughter, and nothing makes me laugh quite like some of the classic TV comedies I grew up with. I bought myself a DVD player last Christmas, and Lou got me a couple DVDs to play on it. When I celebrated my birthday a couple of weeks ago, Lou came through in grand style. While I don’t have DVDs of all my favorite shows, I have a good start. Besides, God willing, I will live to celebrate more birthdays and Christmases.
I rose from the chair and walked to the storage cabinet where I kept my new collection. I perused my choices, selected something to take my mind off my work. I plucked a DVD of Make Room for Daddy, starring Danny Thomas. I remember watching the show as a child. Back then, I laughed as Danny’s children and his wife got the best of him in each episode. I put in the DVD and sat back to enjoy. It seems not much has changed in all those years. Real comedy never goes out of style, at least not in my house.
13
Sam Schumann is a good friend and a good cop. He’s a gentle man who can get tough when he needs to. He has no outstanding physical features, which allows him to blend in no matter what the situation. All of this makes him an ideal investigator for the police department. When I want answers, I turn to Sam Schumann. I allowed Sam to spend a peaceful weekend before involving him in the Nelson murder case. Two days off were enough. It was time for Sam go to back to work.
“Good morning, Sam.”
“Hi, Cy. You must have something for me. Otherwise you wouldn’t bother me so early on a Monday morning.”
“Your deductive powers are amazing, Sam. That’s the reason I always call you when I need to know something.”
“I’m your man, Cy. What’ve you got?”
“A woman named Ethel Nelson was found dead in her home on Hilltop Place Saturday morning. She was murdered. Poisoned. Codeine. Check with Frank if you have any questions regarding the codeine. Then check around and see if anyone with a Hilltop Place connection bought any codeine. A few days ago an ambulance was dispatched to take Mrs. Nelson to the hospital. She had a broken left arm and leg, plus bruises on her body. See what you can find out about that. Also, see if you can find out if her granddaughter Angela Nelson inherits her estate.”
“Anything else, Cy?”
“Yeah, keep writing, Sam. Numbers 101 and 105 Hilltop Place are vacant. See if you can find out who owns those houses. And I have some other people for you to check on. There’s a Mrs. Reynolds on Hilltop Place. Her son Jimmy lives with her. Jimmy’s not right. Supposedly, he lost it in the war. One of the neighbors said Jimmy came running from Mrs. Nelson’s house screaming the day she suffered her broken bones. See, what you can find out about the Reynoldses.
“I’ve got one more for you to check on. His name is Stanley Silverman. He lived across the street from the murdered woman, and he seems to have seen everything except the murder. See what you can find out about him. Also, check on his mother. She died a few months ago. Find out if she died of natural causes and see what else you can tell me about Stanley and his mother.”
“I’m running out of paper and time, Cy. I hope this is all.”
“It is for the time being. I’m sure there’ll be more.”
“When do you want this, Cy? Two weeks?”
“Take your time, Sam. No hurry. Tomorrow morning will be fine.”
I chuckled as he hung up. I knew Sam well enough to know he was laughing too.
+++
I wondered what the day held for this detective duo. As soon as Lou opened the car door on Monday morning, I could contain myself no longer. I spewed out my question.
“Any messages from God today,
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