[MaC] Interviewing Esme

[Pruehs, Ree M.]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: murder_at_christmas-bounces at gamera.cc 
> [mailto:murder_at_christmas-bounces at gamera.cc] On Behalf Of Mel Mason
> Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2005 12:06 PM
> To: murder_at_christmas at gamera.cc
> Subject: Re: [MaC] Interviewing Esme
> 
> 
> > There were footsteps resounding in the stairway. Vangie glanced at 
> > Esme, then headed in that direction. "Hallooo?" she called.
> >
> > Florence and Lucinda appeared, hurrying down the stairs.
> >
> > "I'm afraid there's been an ... "  Lucinda began, and then 
> hesitated.  
> > "An accident," she said.  "Mr Fitzroy.  We're just going to get
> > an ambulance."
> >
> > "My husband?" faltered Esme, clinging to Vangie.
> >
> > "He's ... erm ... eaten something that didn't agree with him," said 
> > Florence tactfully.
> >
> > But polite euphemisms went nowhere with Esme.
> >
> > "I didn't poison him!" she declared, clinging tighter to Vangie.
> 
> Vangie kept her own amazed thoughts to herself. "No one is 
> saying that anyone's been poisoned," she said firmly, patting 
> Esme's hand. =Where did I leave my smelling salts...?=
> 
> Oh. Back in that damned little clutch bag.
> 
> Whereever that was.
> 
> Lucinda was looking at them, troubled.  "I think you'd best go back 
> upstais," she said.  "Mr and Mrs Beaman's flat."
> 
> Esme started up the stairs.  Before Vangie could follow, 
> Lucinda caught her 
> arm.
> 
> "I'm afraid it probably is poison," she said in a low voice.  
> "I suspect it 
> may be arsenic ... can you stay with her?" 

Vangie blinked. Once. Then she said, "Of course," and hastened after
Esme. 

They were nearly to the top of the stairs when Vangie suddenly thought,
Oh.

=Oh.=

The bag. Sweetie had been playing with...

...now she remembered.