Death of the Office Witch by Marlys Millhiser Page B

And she made it easier by being a good receptionist and keeping things running smoothly. We’re all in and out of the office so much, and you could always count on Gloria to know where everybody was. I just never spent a lot of time around the front desk. I’d breeze by on my way in and out. Larry picks up my mail and keeps track of my calls. I didn’t stop and talk to her much.”
    â€œYou never had lunch or coffee breaks with her?”
    â€œLord no. I’d grab a cup of coffee on my way in and drink it at my desk. If I didn’t have a lunch meeting, I’d probably had a breakfast meeting late and wouldn’t want lunch. One of the assistants would take a break with Gloria while another covered for her at the desk. At lunchtime she put the phones on the answering service and went out with other secretaries in the building. If I’m in, I find that a very good time to get caught up.”
    â€œIf you had no contact with her, how could she make you uncomfortable?”
    â€œThere was some contact of course. But I always had the feeling that if I stayed around her very long, she’d want something I didn’t want to give her, or try to tell me something I didn’t want to hear. I know it sounds dumb, but I avoided her whenever possible. Which doesn’t mean I killed her.”
    â€œSomething you didn’t want to hear. Something like the fact that she thought you might be sensitive to certain stimuli or even be psychic?”
    â€œYou’ve been talking to Larry Mann.” Charlie was forever passing on her irritations to her assistant.
    â€œI overheard you talking to a dead woman, Miss Greene.” His omelet was finally gone, and he wiped his lips carefully, folded the napkin, and placed it beside his plate so it looked like it hadn’t been used. He took out his little spiral notebook again. “‘You said you were in the garbage can, not in the bushes.’”
    â€œI was just talking to myself.”
    â€œI don’t think so. And another thing. You have never once asked me about any of the details of Gloria’s murder. I would think natural curiosity would lead to questions here. Whether you liked her or not, this is a woman you actually knew.” The mild-mannered homicide detective was going on the offensive. And he had all the clout in this deal. “One explanation for that could be that you already know the answers.”
    â€œIt’s only been two days, and there’s been a lot else going on. And sure, I have questions, but I figure that when the proper authorities find the answers, we’ll all know. You’re not going to answer them until you’re ready anyway. Why waste the effort? All I can tell you is I did not kill Gloria and I am not psychic. I was involved in a murder investigation last year, Lieutenant. In Oregon. And all I did was mess things up by asking questions. I learned my lesson. I will leave it all to you.” Like the good little citizen that I am. If you think I’m going to go through all that again with the Alpine Tunnel deal pending, you’re out of your mind.
    â€œYes, I phoned Sheriff Bennett of Moot County this morning. He spoke highly of you and sends his warm regards.”
    David Dalrymple waited for Charlie to respond to this easy opening. Actually, she had some warm memories of Sheriff Bennett that she figured were warming up her complexion about now, which probably said it all anyway. She must be on some interpolice computer thing just for having been involved in that murder at Moot Point last summer.
    â€œSo what are the questions you would ask me if you thought I’d answer them?” he said. “About the murder.”
    â€œI don’t believe this. You’re the expert on murder.”
    â€œBut I didn’t know Gloria alive. Help me, Miss Greene.”
    â€œMy questions have nothing to do with knowing Gloria. They’re the same you’d ask yourself