The Pinch of Death – a mystery by Alysse Aallyn

Chapter 29. Kleinemann-Lundt

They lunched together in the coffee shop. Jacquetta was afraid Nelson would say something more about leaving his wife – thank God he didn’t bring it up. Maybe last night changed his mind – she couldn’t take the time to care. No decisions could possibly be made.

She pulled out the anonymous letters from her bag and going over her notes, he saw the words Kleinemann-Lundt.

“Kleinemann-Lundt!” he exclaimed. “It must mean the crime case – what else could it mean?”

“A crime case? I hope so. I mean, how many Kleinemann-Lundts could there be?” she echoed hopefully.

“Kleinemann was one person and Lundt was the other but I don’t remember who was who. I’ll have to look it up.”

She poured more coffee. “I don’t remember anything about it. Tell me.”

“It was the kind of case I like to follow. Very psychological.” Nelson leaned back in his chair, seemingly better rested and more at peace. “About twelve years back. In upstate New York. A teenage girl and boy killed her grandmother. Actually tortured the old woman to death. There had been a lot of abuse in the family – not that the jury cared. Each kid blamed the other – so the question was, who was really responsible?”

“Well, if it was her grandmother –“

“Yeah, but the boy had a big motive, too. The old lady was preventing them from being together.”
“And each said the other did it?”

“Right. But the jury didn’t buy it and locked them both up. Of course, they were minors so they could be out now.”

“And they repudiated each other?”

“Totally. If you’re familiar with the concept of ‘folie a deux’ – “

She couldn’t avoid a sour grimace. “Some people say that’s what all love is.”

He took her hand – “I hope you’re not one of them.”

“I hope I’m not.” She was feeling helpless in the thrall of circumstance.

“I’m sorry in one way about this morning – and in another way I’m not sorry,” he tentatively suggested.

“I’m not sorry,” she insisted, more decisively than she felt.

“Obviously, I’m happy for me – you know I’m greedy and take all I can get – but I’m worried about you. I don’t want to influence you.”

He stroked her palm. Still influencing her. Though maybe it was unconscious.

“I can’t make decisions,” she told him. “Not till this is over. We have to decide what to tell the police.”

“Why now? Why decide?”

“Because Lt. Marie is over there, and I see he’s looking for me.”