The Milburn Big Box Set

by Nancy McGovern

  “I do! That’s awesome!” Freddie smiled broadly. Joe began tapping his foot impatiently, and with a nod, Freddie rushed away.

  “Mind telling me who you are?” Joe asked, looking Nora up and down. “What are you doing in my factory?”

  “Wasn’t aware it was your factory, Joe.” Simone walked up behind Nora.

  “Oh. Simone.” Joe was taken aback. “I was just… she isn’t a regular visitor. I thought she could be a spy.”

  “A spy?” Simone laughed. “All right, Joe. Get back to work.” She slung an arm around Nora’s shoulders, and pivoted her. “Come on, Nora, my office is this way. We’ve got a lot to talk about.”

  *****

  Chapter 10

  “Pleasant guy, isn’t he?” Simone asked, shutting the door to her office. “I hate him, personally.”

  While the office of a CEO would traditionally be covered in mahogany with rich leather chairs, Simone’s office was very different. The walls were eggshell white, with one painted a rich magenta. A warm rug was splashed out on the floor, surrounded by patterned beanbags. On the magenta wall was a large flatscreen TV, and a small white desk cluttered with papers and brightly colored objects stood at the opposite wall. A refrigerator unobtrusively blended in next to it.

  “Nice,” Nora said, looking around.

  “Thanks,” Simone said. “I hardly spend any time here, though. I’m always out and about, either on the factory floor, or taste-testing our food scientists’ new recipes.” She opened up the refrigerator, and brought out two plain white plastic containers, along with tiny plastic spoons. “Check it out. This is our latest concoction. Kulfi.”

  “What’s that?” Nora hesitantly scooped up a chunk. It was far denser than normal ice-cream. She took a bite, and uttered a little “ooh” of delight. “This is amazing!” It was far creamier than normal ice-cream, and there was a unique caramel flavor to it.

  “Like it? We’re thinking of introducing a whole range. This is plain kulfi, but we can add pistachio, mango, pineapple or a whole bunch of flavors that complement that amazing caramelization.” Simone smiled. “I think this could be our next big product. We’ve recently started making batches. It’s a bit harder than normal because we need very high quality full-fat milk, and then it needs to be slow cooked and stirred continuously till it’s been reduced. Anyway, I think the end result is very much worth it even if it costs a bit more.”

  “It’s brilliant,” Nora said, putting another spoonful in her mouth. “How did you come up with it?”

  “Pretty easy,” Simone said. “I have a friend from college who’s from India. I visited her last year when she got married, and they served it at the wedding as dessert. It’s a traditional Indian “ice-cream”. They say it was originally made for the Mughal Emperors back in the 16th century. Now that’ll be a good way to sell it, don’t you think? Ice cream of the emperors!” Simone launched into an enthusiastic speech. “I can already picture the packages we’ll make. I told Bernard we should have some folk art from India on the front. He says we should focus more on the creaminess and emphasize the pure ingredients on the pack.”

  Nora smiled. “I love watching you talk about your work, Simone. You’re so passionate.”

  “Ice-cream has always been my dream,” Simone said. “It feels like some of the best memories of my life are associated with it. Hot summer days when grandpa taught me and my cousins how to swim, and took us for a cone after. We even had an ice-cream maker at home. Us cousins used to take turns churning it while my grandma added the ingredients.” Simone smiled. “It was hard work but very worth it.”

  Nora nodded. “Ice-cream does conjure up childhood summers,” she said. “I remember walking on the hot tar road, with a cone in my hand, and my best friend Raquel by my side. We’d talk about boys, and poetry, and fashion, and the world. It was… a simpler time. Now here we are…” She sighed. “Here we are, all grown up, and those innocent days are gone.”

  Simone caught the brief look of pain that appeared on Nora’s face. “Of course. I’m so sorry. Harvey’s in jail, isn’t he? I heard this morning. The police came to see us about our missing keys. It was a horrible tragedy, but I don’t believe for one moment that Harvey had anything to do with it.”

  “Thanks.” Nora smiled. “He’s out on bail anyway. I’m sure we’ll have his name cleared soon.”

  “I’ve been trying to focus on work and put the murder out of my mind all day,” Simone said. “Bernard says the key is to continue working. That way, we can let our subconscious mind slowly process all our feelings, while our conscious minds have a stable structure. In simpler words, Bernard wants us to keep a stiff upper lip.” She gave a weak smile. “I’m not as strong as he is. Every time I think of that poor girl, I feel a chill go down my spine.”

  “Did you know her at all?” Nora asked.

  “I suppose I did, the way one knows a face one has seen everyday,” Simone said. “Even if I didn’t know who she was.”

  “What did you think of her?”

  “How could I have an opinion about her when I didn’t even know her?” Simone asked. “Some people were saying today that she was rather free with her affections, but in all honesty, I don’t think that’s any of their business. As long as she was doing her work, her personal life shouldn’t matter. And she definitely didn’t deserve to be murdered!”

  “No. She didn’t.”

  “I hope they bring the killer to justice,” Simone said. “The true killer.”

  “But before that,” Nora said, “what did you tell the police about the keys?”

  “The factory keys,” Simone said. “It’s a habit we’ve had since Bernard’s father ran the factory. Every evening, after he’s locked up, Joe comes over to our house and hands us the keys. He takes them back in the morning. I told Bernard once that it would be more efficient if he just kept them overnight, but Bernard said he liked the little tradition. Besides, it gave him time to talk to Joe about the general working of the factory.”

  “So Joe bought over the keys every evening?” Nora asked, excited. “Did he hand them to you or put them up on the peg himself?”

  “He put them up on the peg himself,” Simone said. “It’s right by the door. I said hi to him, then went upstairs to give little Will a bath. Joe and Bernard were talking for a bit. Afterwards, Joe left and Bernard began to prepare dinner.”

  “So when did you notice the keys were missing?” Nora asked.

  “This morning,” Simone said. “Bernard noticed they were missing and pointed it out to me, then not ten minutes later, we got a call saying that they’d found a body at the factory. Of course, we had to tell the police about the missing keys.” Simone shuddered. “I hate thinking about it. Imagine being killed and then tossed into a barrel! Poor girl! At least we know she was drugged first so she didn’t feel any pain when the killer injected her with ammonia.”

  “It’s horrible,” Nora agreed. “But Simone, you mentioned that Bernard pointed out the missing keys this morning. That means they were missing all night, presumably, and neither of you noticed, yes?”

  Simone nodded. “You know how it is, things just seem to blend in the background till you focus on them. Like, I know my phone is on the desk right now, but if it vanished, I wouldn’t really notice until I was looking for it. Bernard and I were too busy playing host to notice it.”

  “So isn’t it possible…” Nora said. “I’m not saying it happened, but isn’t it possible that Joe could just have slipped the keys off the peg and taken them away?”

  “Well. Yes,” Simone said.

  “It’s possible.” Bernard entered the room. He gave a nod to Nora, and gave a hug to his wife. “It’s entirely possible, Nora, except for the fact that it’s highly unlikely. Why would Joe do that? Why steal the keys? It would be easier for him to make a copy, wouldn’t it?”

  “Oh, no, it wouldn’t,” Simone said. “The keys to our factory are extra-special, remember? We got them from that specialty lock-maker
in Canada. They’re very difficult to duplicate, and I doubt anyone in Wyoming could do it.”

  “You’re right, I’d forgotten all about that!” Bernard exclaimed. “All right, so Nora has a solid theory, then. All this time, I was secretly convinced that Harvey must have taken the keys, to be honest… no offense, Nora… there are still a lot of holes in his alibi, and a lot of proof against him.”

  “I know. The police has plenty of proof incriminating him,” Nora said. “All I have is knowledge of the kind of man he is - a good man at his core. Harvey is not a murderer.”

  “That’s some loyalty,” Bernard said admiring her. “Simone, if I’m ever arrested, take pointers from Nora, all right?”

  “That joke’s in very poor taste, Bernard,” Simone said sternly.

  “Sorry,” he said. “You must be happy to hear there’s a chance Joe did it anyway. You’ve always hated Joe.”

  “Why?” Nora asked.

  “He downright harasses some of the women here,” Simone said, bristling. “The only reason we haven’t fired him is because none of the women wanted to make a big deal out of it, and he’s almost nearing his retirement. Believe me, it’s a topic I and Bernard have argued about aplenty.”

  “You were arguing about it yesterday too,” Nora remembered.

  “Exactly.”

  “All right, I’ll be going now,” Nora said. “Give you two some quality time. Say hi to little Will for me.”

  “Will do.” Simone smiled. “I know this is a hard time for you and Harvey, so if you need anything, just let us know.”

  “Oh, I did have one question,” Nora said, turning back around. “You and Karen both mentioned that she’d been killed with ammonia. How did you know so much since the forensic reports aren’t out yet?”

  “Deputy Ellerton’s to thank for that,” Simone said. “One of my aides was giving me a report, and Ellerton and Sean appeared wanting to check our ammonia supplies. Sure enough, a batch was missing. Ellerton immediately made a theory about sleeping pills and ammonia. By noon, everyone in the factory knew.”

  “Another question,” Nora said.

  “What is it now?” Bernard was looking at his watch a little impatiently.

  “What about the night watchmen? I know you had one by your main gates.”

  “The murderer must have gotten in through the back gate,” Bernard said. “That’s where the construction site is, and the watchmen don’t really go out there.”

  “But they did report something today,” Simone said, suddenly excited. “Our night watchman James was fast asleep last night, when the new guy, Ian, came in to relieve him. Ian said that he and James thought they heard a large crash, and immediately went to investigate in the back. Everything looked all right, so they went back. They thought maybe it was just a raccoon.”

  “But it wasn’t!” Nora exclaimed. “It must have been the murderer, mustn’t it?”

  “What a hideous thought,” Simone said. “Ian and James were so close to catching him, then!”

  “Or her,” Bernard said. He looked at Nora. “You know, we suspect Joe or Harvey of taking those keys, but it occurs to me, you were there last night, Nora. You could have taken them too.”

  “Bernard, don’t be ridiculous!” Simone said.

  “I read somewhere that murderers are so over-confident, they sometimes insert themselves into the scene of crime to get more attention, and get a thrill,” Bernard said. “Isn’t it funny, Simone, how Nora’s snooping around.”

  “Bernard, you’re being very rude.”

  “I’m being rude?” Bernard asked. “I don’t know, Simone. It seems to me Nora had an opportunity, and also a motive.”

  “Motive?”

  “It’s obvious, isn’t it? After all, Harvey was cheating on her with Tiffany!”

  *****

  Chapter 11

  “Bernard!” Simone was appalled. “You shouldn’t have said that!”

  “It’s a theory, isn’t it?” Bernard said. “Just like her theory about Joe?”

  “Why are you always so protective of Joe?” Simone asked. “He really isn’t a very nice guy.”

  “Joe was like a cool uncle to me, growing up,” Bernard said. “I’m very fond of him. I used to sneak into the factory as a ten year old, and Joe never once told my father about it. My father, of course, was far too busy to pay attention to me, but Joe never was. He taught me how all the machines work. Back then, he was just a worker on the factory floor, but he was always a favorite with the guys.”

  “With the guys, maybe. Certainly not with the girls, I’m sure.”

  “You’d be surprised. He was very handsome, and everyone knew he was going to reach a high position someday,” Bernard said. “Joe can be a little stupid where women are concerned, but he wouldn’t murder one! I remember how kind he was to me, and he had no reason to be.”

  “Of course, he had reason to be! He was ambitious and you were the boss’ son,” Simone said.

  “I don’t want to hear another word about this. Joe is a good guy. He wouldn’t do this,” Bernard said. “Simone, we’ve got to move past this. The whole affair is messy, and it can have some lasting repercussions for our factory. Have you thought about that? We could be caught in a very bad scandal.”

  “Is that why you’re so eager for Harvey to get convicted quickly?” Nora asked, suddenly furious. “You just want to tie up loose ends?”

  “I think he’s done it,” Bernard said. “It’s clear to me that it’s either you or him. Joe can’t be the one. Your theory about him pretending to drop off the keys and then leaving us is simply ridiculous. Of course I would have noticed that!”

  “Would you?” Simone asked. “I’m not so sure. You were busy cooking, and in between, answering work emails. I was busy tucking Will in.”

  “I’m very sure,” Bernard said. “Sean is an excellent sheriff, and if he thinks Harvey’s done it, then that’s good enough for me. As a matter of fact, I’m going to cancel our contract with his company. I can’t possibly let them work for us after this.”

  Frustrated after her altercation with Bernard at the ice-cream factory, Nora took a long winding drive before heading back to the diner. She needed to be alone with her thoughts, and maybe some time in the company of the Teutons would help sort her out. She parked her car on the shoulder of the highway, and sat on a small bench at the viewpoint, looking out at the glorious scene in front of her. No matter what was happening in her life, the sheer grandiosity of Wyoming’s landscape always overwhelmed her with joy. It was almost like visiting a shrine. The mountains stood rugged over vast yellow fields, bordered at the edges by trees, and dotted at the edges by mirror-like lakes.

  A few deep breaths later, she was on her way back to the diner. Tina would need help, she knew. No matter how much she wanted to chase down the killer, she’d have to take it slow.

  Business was still slow at the diner, however, and Tina was happily talking to a customer when Nora entered.

  “Hi, Nora.” Tina waved to her. “Dr. Kurt dropped in to say hi.”

  Dr. Kurt Neil was the town doctor, and had been for as long as Nora could remember. She suspected he had even helped in the birth of her own mother. He looked a little bit like Einstein in his crazy-scientist days, with a shock of white hair that was always messy, and twinkling eyes that seemed to see through most people. He gave her a friendly wave, and patted the bar-stool next to him.

  “Come have a cup of coffee with us,” Dr. Kurt said.

  “I’d rather have a mint mocha milkshake actually,” Nora said. She batted her eyes at Tina. “Would you, Tina?”

  “Fine, I’ll make it, but you owe me one,” Tina teased. “Keep the Doctor company, will you? I’m dying to hear his thoughts about the case.”

  “Oh, I couldn’t tell.” Dr. Kurt put up his hands. He often helped out with forensics in the tiny town.

  “Well, the news is already out,” Nora said. “Sleeping pills, followed by an injection of ammonia killed her.”
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  “That’s correct,” Dr. Kurt said, looking astonished. “How did you figure that one out, Nora? Very brilliant of you.”

  “There was a syringe found next to her body, and a bottle of sleeping pills in her pocket,” Nora said. “Right?”

  “Right,” Dr. Kurt said. “Add the unmistakeable smell of ammonia, and Sean had pretty much figured it out. He just needed me to confirm it.”

  Nora nodded. “Deputy Ellerton let the cat out of the bag. By now, the whole town knows how she died.”

  “Ah, but they don’t know everything,” Dr. Kurt said. “The killer gave her Whiskey and mixed the pills in them. It took at least half an hour for the pills to work, which means he must have been plotting to kill her even as he sat talking to her. A real piece of work, this man.”

  “Or woman,” Tina said. “There’s gender equality in those committing murder, you know.”

  “I’m an old fashioned man. I think of murderers as men.” Dr. Kurt shrugged. “But my point is, whoever did it is clearly a psychopath.”

  “That part we figured out all by ourselves.” Tina smiled. “Dr. Kurt, do you think Harvey will be convicted?”

  Dr. Kurt took a sip of his coffee and looked at Nora sideways. “Whoa there, I really can’t comment on that. That’s up to Sean.”

  “Come on.” Tina bought out a warm slice of pie. “Try this, buttermilk and cardamom. Should go really well with the coffee.”

  “If I didn’t know you better, I’d think this was a bribe.” Dr. Kurt smiled.

  “Maybe it is,” Tina said coyly. “Come on, Dr. We already know that Tiffany met Harvey last night, and they fought. She scratched him.”

  “Harvey gave her some whiskey,” Dr. Kurt said. “He washed the glass afterwards, but there were still some fingerprints on it.”

  Nora felt her stomach sink. “Is this true?”

  “He admitted it, I heard,” Dr. Kurt said. “I’m sure he’ll tell you so himself. He swears he hadn’t mixed anything in it, but Nora, things are looking bad for him. There comes a point where even his staunchest supporter must ask, what if?”