“But she has an alibi with Beau,” Aunt Julia said. “Though he could be in on it, too. Was he really sleeping until Vera woke him? Maybe he was and she snuck out then back in thinking he could give her an alibi, but wouldn’t that wake him? In any event she did recover pretty quickly from whatever caused her to run out at the reception, but then she rushed off at the first mention of Delilah during breakfast.”
“It’s too bad the alibis are so hard to establish. Everyone was asleep. Or so they say.”
“Since we’ve determined the killer was likely known to Delilah, the next step is to ferret out the motive. That seems like your area of expertise. I assume you have some trick questions to trip them up?”
“I do.” Nora knew exactly how to phrase things so that the subject would stumble over answers or entrap themselves in a web of lies. It was one of her favorite things to do.
Aunt Julia capped her pen and looked out the window. “Well then, I guess we’d better go seek out our suspects and see what shakes out. With Artemis Leonard coming in two days, we don’t have a minute to waste.”
Nora thanked her stars there was a slight breeze on the veranda that ran along the edge of the boat, otherwise the thin fabric of her dusty-peach sheath dress would have clung to her like gravy on a biscuit. It was humid like only the south can be and being on the river added to it. Still, the lazy speed at which the boat glided along was soothing. Who would have guessed there was a murderer on board?
Beulah Entwhistle was seated in a rocking chair facing the shore, knitting needles racing along. Aunt Julia paused to speak to her.
“Hello there. Are you enjoying this lovely day?”
“Indeed! I’m almost finished with my project.” Beulah held up the hat, clearly pleased with herself. “Next I start on a scarf for my nephew.”
Harold was reading a hardcover and Nora could see Julia crane her neck to view the title of the book. When she realized it wasn’t one of hers, she scowled. “Oh I see you have the latest R.D. Hines book. I find the mysteries are not quite up to snuff, don’t you?”
Harold glanced up. “Not really. It’s quite engaging.”
“Hmmm… well, we must move along, need my exercise you know.”
When they got far enough away, Aunt Julia whispered, “Harold has no taste in books. Nice taste in jewelry though.”
Nora looked back to see if Beulah had her brooch on but couldn’t tell as they’d gotten too far away.
“Oh look! There’s Sven and Giles. Let’s hurry! We can catch Sven and maybe he’ll let something drop.” Julia took off like a racehorse determined to win a trophy. “Giles! Yoohoo!”
Giles turned and Nora couldn’t tell if he was happy to see Julia rushing after him or terrified. He nodded at both of them. Sven looked at them as if they were annoying insects and grunted.
Giles pulled them aside, out of earshot of anyone else. “Are you getting anywhere with the investigation?”
Julia shot a surprised look at Sven.
Upon noticing the look, Giles said, “Sven knows about your suspicions. He needs to know everything that is going on.”
“’Tis quite unusual,” Sven grumbled and shot an accusing look at Aunt Julia.
“Lucky thing that we can’t have the police send a smaller boat to come aboard now,” Giles said. “It will give you some more time.”
“That is a lucky thing.” Nora looked out at the river. When Giles had said that the next port that could accommodate the Miss Delta Belle was in Vicksburg she hadn’t considered that the police could simply send a boat out and dock alongside. “Why can’t the police send a boat out?”
“Rocks, ma’am,” Sven said.
“Could you elaborate?” Aunt Julia asked.
“The river is full of rocks. Right now we are in a smooth section, but t’int safe to try to maneuver the Miss Delta Belle through most of the river here and try to hold a steady course or speed her so a boat could pull up alongside.”
“Oh…” Aunt Julia smiled at Sven. “How convenient.”
Nora figured she was making a note about that to use in her next book. Since Sven was starting to open up, Nora decided to feel him out about the murder. “And you’re sure you didn’t notice anything that night? No one running about on the deck? No screams or yelling?”
Sven narrowed his eyes at her. “Did I not tell you that before?”
“Well, yes, but I thought maybe after you’d thought about it…”
“I don’t need to think about something like that. Now I must get back to help my co-pilot navigate.” Sven glanced at Giles, then turned on his heel and stomped off.
“Friendly sort, isn’t he?” Julia asked.
“He has his quirks but he’s a darn good river pilot,” Giles said. “Now, tell me, are you getting closer to figuring out what happened? Please tell me you have determined it was an accident after all.”
“Afraid not. I’m more certain than ever that it was murder,” Julia said.
Giles glanced around nervously. “Do you have any idea who did it?”
“I’m getting close, but I may need your help.”
“I’ll help with anything I can.”
“I’d like to inspect Delilah’s sleeping quarters and her dressing room. I’ve already inspected the scene of the crime but there might be something of interest in her rooms,” Aunt Julia said.
“Of course.” Giles looked at his watch. “Unfortunately I must run to another engagement and am tied up this evening. Will tomorrow do?”
Aunt Julia looked disappointed. “I suppose.”
“Very well then. Sorry to rush off.” Giles inclined his head at them and left.
Aunt Julia took Nora’s elbow and continued around the veranda. “What did you make of Sven? He was very abrupt when you mentioned the murder. Maybe we should consider him more seriously as a suspect.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure ’bout that. He did avoid answering by being brusque and that is something the killer might do, but that sort of avoidance usually happens with someone more impulsive. Statistics show that a person as regimented as Sven would have the patience to hide their guilt by drawing out the conversation and not storming away to end it.”
Aunt Julia made a face. “If you say so. I suppose his alibi would be easy to prove or disprove, perhaps we should ask the co-pilot—”
Aunt Julia stopped short and Nora followed her gaze. Percival Montford and Clifford Oxley were standing at the railing. They appeared to be in a deep discussion about something and, by the way they were standing so close, it looked as if it was something they didn’t want anyone to overhear.
“Is it just me or does it appear as if the good doctor and Mr. Oxley are more than acquaintances?” Julia asked.
“It’s not just you.” Nora could tell by their gestures and low voices there was an air of familiarity about them.
“Let’s go find out.” Julia headed toward them.
The two men saw them coming and stepped apart.
“Mr. Oxley! Doctor Montford! I didn’t realize the two of you knew each other,” Aunt Julia said.