“I think I do,” said Lucy. “And I think the same person tried to kill Barney.” She sat back and waited to see his reaction.

Ted was skeptical. “Tell me more.”

“Well, the person I’m thinking of had motive, means, and opportunity. Isn’t that what a suspect has to have? My suspect has all three.”

“Go on.”

“This person is very ambitious. He comes from a very poor background, but he educated himself and got a good job at Country Cousins. I think he realized he’d gotten as far as he was going to go as long as Sam Miller was in charge. Appearances counted a lot with Sam—just look at his wife and his car—and he’d never let this man crack the inner circle. On the other hand, the guy I suspect is good buddies with Tom Miller. His chances are much better with Sam gone.”

Ted smiled. “What about means?”

“A piece of hose? That’s not hard to come by. And this man does have a gun—I checked. He could have fired a shot and startled Barney so he went over the cliff. I think the way these crimes were done, kind of at arm’s length, goes along with this guy’s personality.”

“I’m beginning to think you might be on to something.”

“And he had lots of opportunity at Country Cousins. He saw Sam all the time. And he doesn’t have a family, at least not a family that would miss him if he was out Christmas night.”

“You’re talking about George Higham,” said Ted, putting down his chocolate shake.

“You think he did it, too.” Lucy was excited.

Ted shook his head. “George was one of the first suspects. The police investigated him thoroughly. They decided he couldn’t have done it.”

“Why?” Lucy demanded.

“I forget exactly,” said Ted. “I think he was someplace else and could prove it.”

“That doesn’t prove a thing,” insisted Lucy. “He probably arranged an alibi. I’m surprised Horowitz fell for it.”

“Horowitz is a pro,” Ted reminded her. “He knows what he’s doing.”

“If I could find some link between George and Barney, if I could show that Barney was so dangerous to George that he had to kill him, they’d have to investigate George again, wouldn’t they?”

“Hang on a minute, Mrs. Peel. This is real life. You have a husband and kids. If he did kill Sam and tried to kill Barney, he’s very dangerous. You’d better mind your own business.”

“You sound just like Bill.”