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?“Isn't it? Thanks.”
?I grabbed one of the glossy magazines, which listed all the events, and faded back into the crowd.
?I worked my way through the filled hallways, and I was surprised to see that the conference had become quite a bit more raucous. There had been a huge influx of younger people and the majority of them in costume.
?I walked by two women dressed as a pair of famed super heroines. As I passed them, it dawned on me that they both wore nothing more than a G-string and the rest of their “costume” consisted of carefully applied body paint.
?In light of how staid the conference had been the first few days, it certainly was different.
?I considered for a moment that perhaps all of our deductions had been wrong. The real reason for the murders was to promote the conference.
?I arrived at Regent and peeked in. There was still a panel, with chairs about the room and a raised platform where people spoke. But it was fairly informal and I thought it would suit Sheryl’s needs.
?At least it fit what she told me she needed before she sneaked out the back way from the hotel.
?I pulled out my phone and quickly texted her the room name and the time I had set aside as per her request. I paused for a moment and remembered that I really enjoyed the moment when she input her number into my phone before she left.
?It gave me the sense that she wanted to stay in touch. Of course, when she told me the pair of us making love was a fait accompli, it had been even better.
?She texted me back her approval, and then I started to put her plan into action.
?I had to admit I would have preferred to know the entire plan, instead of merely my “assignments.” But Sheryl told me to trust her and carry them out.
?I looked through the magazine at the conference events until I saw that Charles Nederlander was part of a panel titled: The Mystery—An Outdated Construct?
?I went through the corridors where I passed a group of young people in jeans and casual clothes, but each one wore a deerstalker hat. They sat around on the floor and discussed something or other that was, and I quote, “dope.”
?I arrived just as the panel ended and people came out. I glanced in and saw Charles behind the table, where he smiled and shook hands with the other participants.
?As I approached, his eyes grew small.
?“Charles, I’m glad I caught you…”
?He pulled me aside.
?“What are you doing here?” he hissed in a loud whisper.
?“I was invited, remember?”
?“I think it would be best if you were not here at all! Candy—and now poor Jon!”
?“I had nothing to do with—”
?“You really expect me to believe that?” he demanded. “What with you and Ms. Homes stalking about the hotel and accusing me of—I don't know what—to cover your own guilt. I hope you realize I am an attorney and I will—”
?I held my hands up. “That’s not why I’m here.”
?He frowned. “What now?”
?“I’m here because Sheryl told me there is going to be a confession delivered at 5:00 PM. She thought you might be interested in hearing what actually happened.”
?The color drained from his face for a moment. “Confession? From the killer?”
?“That’s what I’ve been told.”
?“So you know who killed Candy? And Randall?”
?“We will be in the Regent Room at 5:00 PM, and she said it will be worth your while.”
