Monument to the Dead Read Online Free Page A

about that other death that when I learned of Adeline Harrison’s
     death, I noticed the similarities, and I asked the ME to check what prescription drugs
     she was taking. Turns out it was the same one that registered high in the New Jersey
     case. It could be nothing, because it’s a common enough drug that plenty of older
     people use, although there are only a few of those that can be dangerous if too many
     are taken. But to get back to your question, if these deaths were both murders, that
     makes it an interstate matter, and therefore the FBI can and should be involved.”
    “So now you’re drumming up work for the Bureau?” I asked.
    “Not exactly—just being conscientious. If nothing comes of it, no loss. As I said,
     being around you has made me pay more attention to cultural matters and connections.
     And when I saw that Adeline had been one of your board members . . .”
    “You naturally assumed the worst.” I finished his sentence for him. “You do know that
     some people actually die from natural causes?” I thought for a moment. “Do you have
     any more information on that New Jersey death?”
    “Now you’re curious? I don’t have the file yet. It’s on its way.”
    “Anything like that death going back further?”
    “Nell, I just learned about the Harrison death this morning. I haven’t had time to
     look into the details, or for other incidents. This may be nothing.”
    “But you called me, just in case? Should I be flattered?”
    He smiled. “I knew you’d know something about Adeline. And I knew I could trust you
     not to talk about this.”
    “Fair enough. So you don’t have anything else, beyond a vague suspicion?”
    “Not yet. And I’ll admit, if they’re both murders, there’s no obvious motive for killing
     either of them. After all, both victims were well into their eighties. Why would anyone
     want these two nice, harmless old people dead? Why not just wait for old age to do
     its work? Unless someone out there just likes killing people and picks people who
     can’t put up much of a struggle.”
    “Odd, and sad, too. But I suppose I’m more used to it, given the demographic of most
     of our members.” I reached into my bag, pulled out a slender envelope containing the
     materials I’d gathered on Adeline Harrison, and passed it to James. “Nothing in there
     jumped out at me. She seems to have led a blameless life, managed her finances well,
     and served quite a number of mainstream good causes, as was typical of her generation
     and social group. I’m not sure that will help you much.”
    “I suppose it eliminates some possibilities. I know how thorough the Society’s research
     is.”
    “Sure, we like to hunt down people with ill-gotten funds or secret babies and blackmail
     them into giving us lots of contributions and serving on the board,” I replied, tongue
     firmly in cheek. “Or leaving us the entire contents of their family homes, sight unseen.
     Did Adeline have any nice old furniture? Silver?”
    James smiled again; I liked being able to make him smile. “That’s not exactly what
     goes into the preliminary report. ‘Victim was found lying in a north-south direction
     approximately eighteen inches from an exquisite Chippendale chest with original hardware.’”
    I chuckled. “Maybe you could suggest that. Who knows what such details might reveal?
     Did you have plans for dinner?”
    “Sorry, I’ve got to go back to the office. Rain check, definitely.”
    “No problem.” I hesitated a moment before adding, “I’ll look at the New Jersey file,
     if you want to send it to me. If you think it might help. We might have something
     on him—a lot of our members live in New Jersey.”
    “I’ll send you a copy once I receive it. You ready to go?” James asked. “May I walk
     you to your train?”
    “I would be delighted, sir.”
    Outside it was still bright—the longest day of the year was fast approaching. We stopped
     at City Hall