„Witnesses, sure,“ Monty said, with an insulting chuckle.
„Aren't you going to check the body, Monty?“ the sheriff asked.
„I don't want to contaminate the scene any more than it's already been contaminated by you two,“ Monty said. „I'm waiting for the crime-scene technician; I've sent a patrol officer out to find him.“
„We have a crime-scene technician?“ the sheriff asked. „When did that happen?“
„You remember, that file clerk who turned out to have a chemistry degree,“ Monty said, with exasperation. „You signed off last month on sending him up to Richmond for the training courses.“
„Oh, Horace,“ the sheriff said. „That's right. How's he doing, anyway?“
„Well, we'll find out when he gets here, won't we?“ Monty said, looking at his watch.
Just then Cousin Horace, looking more mouselike than ever, stuck his head around the corner of my booth.
„Jimmy said you wanted me here,“ he said. „What's the – Oh, hi, Meg.“
„You know this man?“ Monty demanded.
„It's a small town, Monty,“ the sheriff said. „Everybody knows everybody; I keep telling you that.“
„I'm Meg's cousin,“ Horace said, rather timidly, as if he still wasn't sure of his welcome.
„I thought he was your cousin,“ Monty said to the sheriff.
„Yes, he's my cousin, too,“ the sheriff said.
„We're all cousins,“ Horace said.
„Nearly everybody in town is cousins,“ I said. „You've got to make allowances for inbreeding; Monty. We're actually not that bad. You should see some of the cousins we hide in the attics.“
I suppose it would have been different if I'd said that in front of someone who'd find it funny. But Cousin Horace and the sheriff had grown used to just nodding and smiling whenever I said anything they didn't understand, and their reactions probably gave Monty the idea I was serious. I sighed.
„Why don't you let Horace do his crime-scene thing?“ I said. „If you don't want to listen to my story now, I'd like to go someplace where I can lie down. I'm getting a headache.“
„Oh, I want to hear your story all right,“ Monty said. „And you're not going anywhere until you take off that dress.“
„Excuse me?“
„I need it for evidence,“ Monty said.
„Evidence?“ the sheriff echoed.
„She says she found the body, but how do we know that?“ Monty explained. „We need to test the dress for blood spatters.“
Horace, the sheriff, and I looked down at my dress – which, except for the faint damp spot where Benson had spilled his gin and tonic, looked perfectly spotless.
„Minute blood spatters, okay?“ Monty said.
Just then, I saw Michael and Dad coming down the lane.
„Meg! What's going on?“ Michael called. „They came and got your cousin Horace and – “
„Stand back!“ Monty snapped. „This is a crime scene!“
„Michael, could you go to the tent and get some clothes for me to change into?“ I asked. „Jeans, please. I think the masquerade's over for the evening.“
Michael looked around, decided that I was safe enough with Dad, Horace, and the sheriff at my side, then nodded and took off.
„Meg, what's happened?“ Dad asked.
„Someone killed Mr. Benson in my booth,“ I said.
„Killed?“ Dad said. „Do you think it's murder, then? How exciting!“
„Who's this?“ Monty asked. „Another cousin?“
„Well, yes,“ the sheriff said. „By marriage, anyway. This is Meg's dad.“
„Would you like me to examine the body?“ Dad asked.
Monty looked alarmed and stepped protectively between Dad and the body.
„He's a doctor,“ I explained. „A medical doctor. He's… uh, he's had some experience with crime scenes.“ I didn't mention that his experience consisted largely of horning in on any homicide investigation that happened in his vicinity; I didn't think that would do much to allay Deputy Monty's obvious distrust. Dad beamed at me.
„I think we'd rather have the coroner for that,“ Monty said.
„He might still be at the party,“ Dad said, looking at his watch. „Want me to go and see? This'11 go a lot faster if we catch him before he starts for home.“
The fact that it might also give Dad a chance to talk the coroner into letting Dad help him was, of course, irrelevant.
„I'd appreciate it, James,“ the sheriff said. „And maybe one of the female officers, if you see any? To supervise when Meg… urn…“
„Right,“ Dad said.
Oh, great, I thought. I had to wait for a suitable audience to change out of my dress. I hoped Dad would hurry. The air was getting cool, which wouldn't have bothered me if I'd been fully dressed.