The Ginseng Conspiracy (A Kay Driscoll Mystery) by Susan Bernhardt

had both read, they in all likelihood knew every method and technique for solving crimes that had ever been written about. I decided to get together with them and feel them out, but first I would have to count them out as conspirators. If I thought them safe, I would reveal that I was investigating the cause of Sherman's death. The coroner’s report, corroborated by the police, was of a dubious nature. The more I thought about it, the better the idea was. They would be great assistants.
    Late in the morning, I called Deirdre and Elizabeth and asked them to join me at Marissa’s after lunch for dessert. It had been a while since they had stopped in for an afternoon chocolate binge, and I was worried about their going through withdrawals.
    When we arrived at Marissa’s, we sat in the furthest dining room on a leather sofa in front of the fireplace where it was most private.
    Marissa came in to greet us. “How are my favorite customers this afternoon?”
    “Great,” I said. “How have you been since this morning?”
    “Pretty good. Oh, Kay, before I forget, Al Stewart came in earlier. He said he knows you are here almost every day, and that I'd see you before he did. He wants you to stop by his house some evening this week. He has a surprise for you.”
    Elizabeth and Deirdre looked over at me with raised eyebrows. Elizabeth winked. Marissa stood smiling. I only felt a stab of trepidation.
    “Surprise? Did he say what?”
    “Sorry, that's all he said. Well, what are you all in the mood for today?”
    “I would like the caramel apple bread pudding,” Deirdre said. “I love the rum sauce.”
    Marissa turned to Elizabeth. “That does sound good. Just give me another minute to think. Kay, you go next.”
    “I’ll have a piece of the chocolate mousse cake,” I said.
    “Only one piece?” Marissa asked me and winked.
    I laughed. “Yes, just one. I'm trying hard to mend my wicked ways.”
    “Marissa, I’ll have the caramel apple bread pudding, also,” Elizabeth said, handing Marissa the menu.
    “I'm surprised you still need to look at a menu when you come in here. By the way, I just made a batch of madeleines using a new recipe. Can I bring a plate of those out right away for you to sample, and you can tell me what you think?”
    “I'm surprised you need to ask,” Elizabeth said.
    Marissa laughed and turned to Deirdre. “Deirdre, I thought it a nice touch this year that you, Mike, and Elizabeth greeted people at the Halloween Ball. Very welcoming.”
    “Marissa, what time did you and Pete arrive? I didn't see you come in,” I said.
    “About a quarter after seven. I'll be right back with those samples.”
    Relief washed over me like a wave. Elizabeth and Deirdre's alibis checked out. How could I have suspected my two best friends of having anything to do with the professor's murder?
    “Well, you're looking much better now,” Deirdre said. “When Marissa mentioned Al, I could see the color drain from your face.”
    “Yeah. We were only kidding with you, you know.”
    “What? Oh, right.” I waved a hand but then leaned in closer and dropped my voice. “Remember Saturday night when I was an hour late to the Ball?” I started to tell them about what happened to me on the way to the Ball, what I saw in the vacant store. Elizabeth and Deirdre stared at me with wide eyes as the story unfolded. “Talk about being frightened and with the chase, I was terrified!”
    “How awful for you, Kay,” Deirdre said, “and you've been keeping this all to yourself all this time?”
    “And now Al wants to see me. What's up with that? Does he know it was me in the store? I acted so nervous when we danced.”
    “Do you think he would have given Marissa the message if he suspected you?” Deirdre asked.
    “Good point, Deirdre,” Elizabeth said.
    “I can't go to the local police with this information because of Bill Murphy and who knows how many others. I need proof, hard evidence, before I can go to the state