Page 96 of Without a Clue

Stop.

Start again.

Scenarios from a dozen of Hugh’s books fly through my mind simultaneously, fighting for attention.

The Quiet Cuban where Bembe tells the detective about the weapon. Doesn’t go well. He dies.

Murder on the I-95 where Stieg runs to the detective and leaves the weapon at the door for him to find. Doesn’t go well. Again: death.

Race Against Time. Monroe keeps the fact to herself. Doesn’t go well. Dies.

Man.

There’s just no good way to be an amateur sleuth here.

Doomed if you do. Doomed if you don’t.

The struggle is being a suspect and detective at the same time, isn’t it? It’s a little more challenging to clear yourself while announcing someone else’s guilt simultaneously.

Hence why the detective in the novel always says more or less, in the same gruff way, Stay out of it, puny civilian.

It’s not just because we tend to be clueless in matters of violence and causation.

It’s because there’s no easy way to clear ourselves of guilt.

Well, hang on. There’s one way.

One sliver of a chance.

Follow the book Ode.

Point Cedar to the weapon without him knowing we’re pointing him to the weapon. Something dramatic enough to catch his attention.

And fast.

Once Nash sets me down, I look around the room for possibilities.

Run to the patio.

Snatch up a votive.

Race back out the door, pause, backpedal, and open the little closet by the front door.

Nash frowns at the candle in my hand. “Pip, what are you doing?”

“I have a plan.” I reach for the fire extinguisher.

“I see that. And we need the fire extinguisher on our floating wooden vessel because . . .”

“In case my plan goes terribly awry. Let’s go.”

I tiptoe-race back down the hall, unlock the door (even quicker this time, thank you very much), and step inside. The question is, what can I light on fire that won’t go up in immediate flames?

Nash is slower behind me.

“I think there is another way,” he says cautiously.

“I’m sure there is. But what if she’s planning to throw the weapon overboard the second she gets back and we never see it again? All the evidence is gone.”