Scam Chowder by Maya Corrigan Page B

walked from the B & B to the house, Val talked about her mother’s concern that Granddad had fallen for a gold digger. “The woman he’s seeing, Lillian Hinker, is younger than he is, good-looking, and in great shape.”
    â€œYour mother’s afraid of a sweetheart scam. A lot of old, and not so old, people fall for that one.”
    She winced. “You missed your cue. You were supposed to tell me not to worry about Lillian.”
    â€œFor years I tracked down the proceeds from criminal activities. You expect me to restore your faith in human nature?” He squeezed her arm. “I’ll try. Women are usually the targets in sweetheart scams, not the culprits. Scams are the exception, not the rule. Widows and widowers often find mates who make them happy. How’s that for upbeat?”
    â€œI’m hungry for good news. I’ll take whatever crumbs I can get.”
    â€œWho else was at the dinner besides Lillian, Scott, and your grandfather?”
    â€œIn order, from oldest to youngest. Scott’s mother, Thomasina Weal, from the retirement village. A local woman, Irene Pritchard. Omar, a mystery man Lillian added to the guest list just before the dinner.” Val ticked the guests on her fingers. “Junie May Jussup, a reporter for the Salisbury television station.”
    â€œThe name sounds familiar. I must have seen her on the TV. Thin, late thirties, straight dark hair?”
    â€œThat’s Junie May.” Val peered down the street as they rounded the corner. Granddad’s car wasn’t parked in front of the house. “My grandfather’s not back yet. When he comes home, don’t say anything about the scammer or Lillian or my concerns about his money. Let’s just keep it light.”
    â€œI’ll check his video collection for a frothy film we can all watch.”
    â€œHe’s mostly into Hitchcock and film noir. You’d think, with all the femme fatales he’s seen on the screen, he would have his guard up.”
    â€œFew men can resist an ego-stroking beauty.”
    The voice of experience? Val heard his rueful tone and saw the grim set of his mouth, maybe because she wanted to hear and see them.
    They went inside the house and browsed for movies. Granddad’s collection, the stock from the video store he used to run, filled half the shelves flanking the fireplace in the sitting room.
    The hall phone rang. Val hurried to answer it and glanced at the caller ID. The Bayport Police. Her heart leapt into her throat. She had visions of Granddad in a smashed-up car.
    â€œHello, this is Val Deniston.”
    â€œVal, it’s Chief Yardley. How’re you doing?”
    She relaxed. Earl Yardley wouldn’t make small talk if anything had happened to her grandfather, his childhood mentor. “I’m fine, and how are—”
    â€œYour granddaddy there?”
    The abrupt change in tone startled Val. The chief usually got what he wanted by letting a conversation develop rather than forcing it. “He should be home soon. Can I give him a message?”
    Silence on the line. “Yeah, maybe it’s better if you tell him. It’ll be less of a shock.”
    Val’s muscles tensed. “Tell him what?”
    â€œOne of his dinner guests, Scott Freaze, died.”
    â€œGranddad knows that.”
    â€œThe death looked suspicious to the doctor at the hospital. There’ll be an autopsy to determine the cause.”
    Val suppressed a groan. “What does the doctor suspect?”
    â€œSomething toxic.”

Chapter 6
    Val held the phone in a white-knuckled grip. Until the chief called, she’d clung to the belief that Scott had died of a natural cause, a rogue virus or bacteria. “What kind of toxin?”
    â€œNo one knows for sure until the autopsy results are in. Meantime, I’d like to talk to your granddaddy about the guests at his chowder dinner.”
    The guests and probably the food