Read Take Stock in Murder for Free Online

by the kitchen. Since the bar is closest to the library, I drove around to that side of the building and parked. This is the interesting part. I was so focused on getting the bracelet that I hopped out of the car and left my bag on the front seat.”
    “Was the evening bag there when you got back?”
    “I don’t remember, but obviously it wasn’t. I didn’t think about the purse again until that detective pulled it out of his pocket. That’s why I said I must have left it at the Club. I just didn’t mention it was the second time and not the first.”
    “Then what?”
    “The bar door was unlocked, but only the dim lights were on—you know, the ones they leave on for security after they close. I went through the bar and out into the hallway to the library.”
    Charles started to ask another question, but Carrie interrupted him.
    “I know your next question. I saw no one, and to my knowledge, no one saw me. In the library I found the bracelet under one of the seat cushions on the sofa.” Carrie took a sip of coffee. “I left through the library French doors and walked around the veranda back to the car. I got back into the car and left,” she added calmly.
    Carrie glanced at Charles with a twinkle in her eye. “I didn’t do it. I swear I didn’t kill nobody,” she said, trying to sound like a gangster’s moll.
    “I’m not amused. Be serious,” he said sternly. “How long were you in the Club?”
    “Let me think. From the car to the library—search for bracelet, found bracelet—and back to the car, I’d say fifteen to twenty minutes. Fifteen minutes to drive to the Club, then another fifteen minutes to drive back. That time frame works, because when I crawled back into bed and looked at the clock, it was just past three.”
    “You really think no one saw you?”
    “Charles, one hundred people might have seen me. But I didn’t see anyone, and they certainly didn’t speak to me.”
    “Well, at least one person must have seen you—or at least your purse.”
    “I forgot about that,” she said. “Hey, this is beginning to look like a frame.”
    “It may not have been planned, but it sure looks like someone took advantage of the situation.”
    “Charles, I’ve got a question for you.” The kitten gave a big sigh as it closed its eyes and snuggled between the two of them. “When I got back last night, you were nowhere around. I was no sooner back in bed than you joined me. Where were you between two and three?”
    “That’s a fair question.” He paused. “I was following you.”
    “You were following me!” she exclaimed.
    “My stomach was a little upset. I suspect too much buffet food. I went downstairs for a glass of milk. I was sitting at the kitchen table when I saw your car go down the lane. I was worried about you. I grabbed my keys and my overcoat andfollowed. I didn’t even take time to dress, and it was all I could do to keep your taillights in view.”
    “I still can’t believe you followed me. Where did you think I was going?” she said.
    “Honestly? I had no idea where you were going. But it was after two a.m. Most people don’t go out at that time.”
    “Suppose I was only going to the 7-Eleven for coffee?”
    “Then I’d have joined you for coffee.”
    “Suppose I was meeting my secret lover?” she asked coyly.
    “Then at last I’d get to meet him.” He grinned.
    “Don’t worry. The only taste I have in men is sitting beside me. Why didn’t you join me when you got to the Club?”
    “I tried to, but I got caught at a red light the block before the Club. When I arrived at TC3, I didn’t see your car. I tried to find you, but you knew where you were going, and I was looking in every room. I thought I heard a noise in the game room and headed in that direction. That’s when I saw several of the cleaning crew moving the extra tables and chairs out of the dining room. I figured they’d made the noise.”
    “Charles, did any of the crew see you?”
    “It’s