An Unlikely Suspect

The murder of Fritz Weiss, renowned chemist for Schuyler Square's second largest employer--Kutrate Kemicals--is growing cold. While the police are eyeing Bernard Morton as a person of interest, there is no hard evidence that will allow them to arrest him. Bernard, meanwhile, is focusing his considerable charm on Mavis Schuyler while recovering from the break-up of his engagement to Mindy Cooper. Mindy, an intrepid newspaper reporter, seems to be the only person left in Schuyler Square who wants to solve Fritz's murder...

"Drop it, Mindy," Sandy Cooper advised, "it's over. Move on to the next big story."

"Sandy, this is a small town. A murder is the big story until it's solved. I know you don't have a degree in journalism and don't really understand the concept of sticking with something until you figure it out but that's what I plan on doing. I'm going to hunt down Fritz's killer."

Sandy looked bored. "You tried that detective crap with Kutrate Kemicals and that didn't get you very far."

"I did too! Fat Off never made it onto the shelves and I saved countless consumers from a useless diet aid."

"But you  never wrote a story about it," Sandy pointed out. "You never got an award for it so big deal! Plus you lost your gorgeous, rich boyfriend in the process. I'd say you really screwed up that whole thing. Some investigative reporter. Lois Lane is probably spinning in her grave."

"Sandy, I don't see you doing anything all that hard hitting," Mindy observed. "In the few weeks that you've been working at the paper, all your stories have fallen into the 'lite' category that impart about the same amount of information as what's on the back of a corn flakes box."

"It's not my fault that I keep getting assigned fluff pieces. Besides, I'm getting a little bored with this whole reporter thing. I think I'm going to start looking for another job."

"Good! You can use me as a reference. When are you leaving?"

"I have an interview with Bernard tomorrow."

"My Bernard? At Kutrate Kemicals? Sandy, are you going after my old job?"

"Well, you left so why shouldn't I? And he's not your Bernard any longer. He's going to be my Bernard and I'm not going to be so dumb as to let him go. Don't forget, Mindy, Bernard's a lot older than us which means he'll die a lot sooner and leave oodles of money. One of us should marry wisely. I doubt that you ever will."

"Sandy, maybe you need to move to a bigger town, someplace where you won't be locked in this pathetic competition with me."

They were interrupted by the arrival of Peter Van Husen. The handsome police officer entered the newsroom and headed for Mindy's desk. Mindy sat up straight and smiled at him. After being engaged to a snake like Bernard, Peter, with his innocent, wide-open, honest face, was like a breath of fresh air. "Hi, Peter," Mindy said.

"Hello, Peter," Sandy cooed.

"Ladies," Peter nodded before focusing on Mindy. "Mindy, I have some questions I'd like to ask you."

"About what?"

"About the murder of Fritz Weiss and where you were when he was killed."