Candy Cane Murder (Hannah Swensen #9.5)(118)

“Who was it?”

“The nurse. Angela.”

“No, no. She was so kind… .”

“It’s in a book. She killed at least twenty of her patients, maybe more.”

“She was convicted?”

“No. She killed herself before there could be a trial. There was an investigation, though, and some of her victims were exhumed and their bodies contained poison.”

“I can hardly believe it.”

“Nobody could. That’s how she had so many victims.”

“Papa never liked her.”

“He had good instincts.”

“He was innocent!” announced Miss Tilley, joyfully.

“Absolutely,” said Lucy. “I just wanted you to know, but I’ve got to get back to my family… .”

“Thank you. This was a wonderful Christmas present.

The best Christmas present I ever had.”

“But I still don’t know where the cane came from,” said Lucy. “Maybe it was a gift from Emil Boott.”

“Or maybe my mother planned to give it to my father as a Christmas gift.”

“We’ll never know,” said Lucy.

“No, that will have to remain a mystery,” said Miss Tilley.

“Merry Christmas!”