Murder by Mushroom by Virginia Smith

know that was unlikely.
    Pastor Palmer’s voice reclaimed her attention. “…hip surgery, and also Mr. Lewis as he recovers from a broken wrist. And now…” He raised his hand toward the congregation and gave the benediction.
    The first person out of her pew, Jackie beelined across the sanctuary toward the place where Jean Murphy stood chatting with Ellen Clarke. As the center aisle filled, Jackie slipped into the pew behind the pair and waited quietly for their conversation to end. When Mrs. Clarke turned away, Mrs. Murphy, wearing an expression of polite inquiry, shifted her focus to Jackie.
    Jackie cleared her throat. “Um, Mrs. Murphy, I’ve been thinking about what you said this morning. You know, about people not liking Mrs. Farmer.”
    Mrs. Murphy glanced quickly toward the end of the pew, where her husband stood talking to two men. “I really shouldn’t have said that. Bob says I talk too much, and I’m sure he’s right. I don’t want to gossip, you know.”
    “Of course not.” Jackie gave her a reassuring smile. “But in this case, with Mrs. Farmer dead and all, any information might be helpful in finding the person responsible. Or,” Jackie went on quickly when Mrs. Murphy’s brow creased with alarm, “in clearing the members of our church of suspicion. I’m sure the police being here this morning means they think someone here knows something.”
    “Oh!” Mrs. Murphy paled as her eyes flew toward the back of the sanctuary. “I don’t want to be questioned by the police!”
    “Trust me,” Jackie assured her drily, “you don’t. But if you know anything, perhaps you could tell me and if I think it’s important, I’ll pass it along as an anonymous tip.”
    “Well…” The woman’s face took on a cautious expression, and she lowered her voice. “I don’t want to cast suspicion on anyone. But it’s no secret that Alice was known for having a…well, a rather judgmental attitude. She was quick to find fault, and she held a grudge.”
    “Against who?”
    “Practically everyone. With my own ears I’ve heard her criticize everything from the placement of the flowers on the altar to the selection of hymns for the order of service. She even found fault with Pastor Palmer’s audition sermon because he preached on the subject of God’s love instead of calling people to repentance.” Warming to her topic, the woman leaned close, giving Jackie a whiff of stale coffee breath. “She was the single dissenting vote in offering him the job. I’ve even heard her talking about getting up a petition to have him removed. Of course, everyone loves Pastor Palmer, so that would have failed. But that wasn’t always the case.”
    Her mouth snapped shut abruptly. Jackie looked into her rounded eyes and prompted, “She was successful sometimes?”
    Mrs. Murphy’s gaze dropped. “You really should talk to Esther Hodges if you want to know about that. Anything else I can tell you would just be gossip, since I don’t know firsthand.”
    This was exactly the kind of information Jackie had hoped to discover. If she could keep Mrs. Murphy talking she was sure to uncover some more interesting tidbits. But at that moment Mr. Murphy turned away from the cluster of men at the end of the pew and glanced toward his wife, who threw a guilty look in his direction. Jackie flashed him her best smile and spoke in a low voice.
    “Thanks, Mrs. Murphy. And don’t worry. I won’t say a word to anyone about our conversation.”
    Mrs. Murphy gave her a grateful smile before stooping to collect her raincoat and purse. Jackie slipped out of the pew and headed toward the rear of the sanctuary.
    Detective Conner and Trooper Walsh stood alone like lepers, the members of Heritage Community Church making a wide path around them. One glance into Officer Walsh’s face told Jackie he felt conspicuous standing there in his uniform beside the smiling detective. The younger man managed to avoid looking directly into anyone’s