Chapter Eleven: "Joining Forces"

Residents were littering the hallway of Mrs. Newman's apartment. They were all there to see what had happened to one of their own, doing their best to witness death with their own eyes. After I had weaved myself through them, Chief Dunn noticed my presence and motioned me over. There were several policemen and detectives in the room. Josephine Newman was sitting in her tattered chair, one hand clutching the pearl necklace around her throat and the other hanging off the arm of the chair. There was an empty glass on the floor below her hand and a stain on the rug beneath it.

"What do you think Chief?" I asked. I'd already made a guess and wondered if we were on the same page.

"Massive stroke or heart attack maybe. I don't detect any foul play here. No signs of struggle and nothing seems out of place. She looks peaceful, and she was old. Really old."

I was glad I asked because I disagreed completely.

While watching everyone working to gather evidence, I decided to take a couple of photos before it was all gone. I specifically wanted a shot of that glass. Right after I'd taken it, a detective took samples of the substance that had stained the rug.

"May I?" I asked while pointing at the small amount of liquid in the glass.

"Be my guest," he told me.

The only way to prove my theory was to test it. I dipped a finger into the liquid and placed it on my tongue. Once I'd tasted it, I spit it out onto the floor.

"And what have you deduced, Detective?"

I stood up and joined Chief Dunn who seemed to be humored by my activity.

"Lemonade," I told him, although I wasn't yet satisfied. I withdrew my handkerchief and retrieved the glass itself. There was only a quarter of an inch or so of liquid in the glass but I stuck my nose into it anyway and inhaled deeply.

The results of my test were exactly what I'd hoped for and I passed the evidence to Chief Dunn. He looked skeptically at me but copied my actions.

"Smell that?" I asked him. I needed confirmation. I'd messed up so many times in this investigation, it was important for me to be right. Please, let me be right!

"Almonds," Chief Dunn replied, his brows lowering with concern.

"Cyanide," I confirmed. "This is a murder scene and I think I know who the murderer is. And it ain't Ashley Tanner."

"What makes you think that? Have you been withholding evidence from the police? I know Quinn's out of town, but I also know he wouldn't have left you in charge if he…"

I interrupted the man before he got carried away. "No, nothing like that. I just think…" I stopped and looked around. There were too many ears in this room. "I need to speak with you for a moment. In private."

"Very well. Let's take this to the kitchen."

I followed Dunn through the living room and off to the right. The kitchen was an adequate size for the half dozen or so cats roaming about. I shoved one away with my foot as it began rubbing against my leg.

"Share your thoughts, Noble."

I told Dunn about my conversation with Lucas Solowsky, his mannerisms and my threat of having an eyewitness.

"When I mentioned someone had seen him exit his brother's apartment the night of the murder, he got nervous and started sweating. He's guilty of this murder as well as his brother's. I'm sure of it."

"Your evidence is circumstantial," Dunn pointed out.

"He had access to Hank Jr's apartment. There's a key hidden in the plant just outside the door." I informed him.

"Anything else you've been keeping to yourself?"

I knew he was getting annoyed with me, but I was being paid to investigate. Only after I had something concrete did I inform the police, and so far, that hadn't happened.

"Josephine Newman was the eyewitness and I'm pretty sure Lucas figured that out after our talk and killed her."

Chief Dunn regarded me for a moment. His eyes were narrowed and his arms were crossed. I wasn't sure what he was thinking, but I was hoping he'd be on my side for once.

"Where is Lucas Solowsky at this particular moment? Do you know?"

A smile spread across my face. I couldn't help it, because I couldn't remember Dunn agreeing with me. Ever.

"If he's not at home, then he's probably at Abbott Gallery working in his studio," I answered.

"Then, let's you and I go visit him, shall we?"

Whether it was just curiosity or he was patronizing me, I didn't care. I motioned for Dunn to take the lead and I followed him. After a few commands to his officers, we were out of the building, in his squad car and on our way uptown.

I wasn't the only one who was going to be surprised today.