Smarty Bones by Carolyn Haines Page A

walked toward us. “Tinkie, Sarah Booth, Dr. Webber,” he said. His gaze pinned Webber. “Do you have something to add to the investigation?”
    “Not really. I believe Olive killed him, but I can’t prove it.”
    “Thanks for the unsubstantiated opinion,” Coleman said. He clasped my wrist and led me to the side. “What have you found out?”
    So far, Twist hadn’t hired me, so I relayed Webber’s accusation, and had a few questions of my own. “Was Boswell really poisoned?”
    “It would seem so. I’ll know more after Doc finishes the autopsy.”
    “Could it have been accidental?”
    Coleman lifted one shoulder. “Twist insists Boswell was fine, up until this morning. He was drinking coffee and slumped over. By the time the paramedics arrived, he was dead. But it seems Olive has plenty of reason to want Boswell dead. And I did find a printout of poisons and their symptoms in her suitcase. She claims someone planted it on her, but who knows. If Boswell was actually trying to blackmail her with extra footage, that would certainly be a motive for murder.”
    “Boswell was drinking coffee. Was it made from Twist’s special beans?” I remembered the coffee, the dark-roasted beans, and the grinder. “Did Olive drink coffee this morning?”
    “So you suspect it was in the coffee beans instead of just his cup?”
    I nodded. “If that should prove to be the case, I can’t help but wonder if the poison was meant for Dr. Twist rather than Boswell.”
    “And that’s exactly why I want to hire you and your partner,” Twist said as she came up behind us. “The sheriff is paid to find the guilty party. I want you and Mrs. Richmond to pursue proving my innocence. I didn’t harm Boswell. Why would I? He was an invaluable part of my team.”
    To my amazement, Twist wore baby doll pajamas. I hadn’t seen a pair since college, and these showed off her slender, mile-long legs and narrow hips and waist. I had to admit, she was very sexy in them.
    “Hiring private investigators isn’t necessary, Olive. You haven’t been charged with anything,” Coleman pointed out.
    “But I will be. Someone is setting me up. I want Ms. Delaney and Ms. Richmond to find out who.”
    “Why don’t you leave it to Coleman?” I didn’t relish the idea of working for Twist. She treated her employees like crap. Besides, it would be better for everyone in Sunflower and Holmes Counties if Twist was arrested and put in jail. The whole Lady in Red controversy would dissipate. History wouldn’t be perverted by the likes of Twist.
    “Someone is framing me for a heinous crime. I don’t want to stand around and wait to see what happens next.” Twist glared at all of us. “I want you to be proactive. Find out who’s trying to destroy me.”
    “What about Boswell?” Tinkie asked gently.
    “He’s dead. What about him?” Twist lifted her chin. “I mean, it’s terrible that he’s dead, but I didn’t kill him. I’ll never be able to properly train a replacement. This has thrown a monkey wrench in my work schedule.”
    “Poor you,” I said.
    “Will you take the job?” Olive asked.
    “Of course she will.” Coleman pressed my elbow. “Won’t you, Sarah Booth?”
    I looked at Tinkie, and she nodded, blue eyes sparkling with amusement.
    “We’ll take the case. It’s five grand, payable now.” Sometimes we didn’t charge a retainer, but with Twist, I figured we should get the money up-front.
    “I’ll have a check for you. Shall I drop it by, or will you be at Holmes County today?” Twist sidled away as if she had something more important on her mind.
    “You’re going forward with the exhumation hearing today?” I couldn’t believe it. Boswell was dead.
    “Of course. Jimmy would want me to continue with the project. I’ll give him a credit on the academic book I intend to write. But not the bestseller. That’s all mine. And naturally, the film documentary will bear his name.” She beamed at all of us. “He’ll be