For many years, Bernard Morton has been enjoying his role as leading industrialist in Schuyler Square. The invention of the diet aid Fat Off was one more large feather in his cap until it was proven that in the long run, Fat Off failed to live up to its promise of making weight loss effortless. When the inventor of Fat Off was murdered followed by Bernard's fiancee dumping him, he began to wonder if his life as the town's aging Golden Boy was coming to an end...
"Not only do I not know who killed Fritz Weiss, I also don't care," Bernard told his ex-fiancee, Mindy Cooper, through tight lips. Honestly, Mindy had some nerve coming to interview him after what she'd done to him. Pretending to be a secretary when she was really a reporter, pretending she was in love with him and wanted to marry him when all she really wanted was the low down on Fat Off. What a witch.
"Any thoughts on who might have wanted to get rid of him?" Mindy pestered.
"How should I know? I'm not the one who went to his apartment. I'm not the one who had cozy dinners with him while undoubtedly stabbing me in the back. That would be you, Mindy, not me."
With an exaggerated sigh, Mindy shut the cover on her reporter's notebook. "Obviously you're still holding a grudge against me, Bernard, although I'm not sure why."
"Maybe because you've been lying to me for over a year?"
"I never lied. I simply didn't tell you all of the truth."
Bernard's laugh was bitter. "I should be happy that I found out about you before we got married--although I doubt that we ever would have made it to the altar. It's obvious that you have not only severe emotional issues but also a deep rooted fear of any kind of commitment. I doubt you'll ever be able to get married and have a conventional kind of life."
"Well, not with you, that's for sure," Mindy agreed. "Bernard, this is getting us nowhere. A man was murdered. A man who worked for you and whom we both knew. I can't understand why you aren't more concerned and more interested in finding Fritz's killer."
"Why should I be?"
"Hasn't it occurred to you that whoever killed Fritz might be after you next?"
"Why? I never did anything to anyone."
"Oh, really? What about all the employees you've underpaid and over used? What about the people who wanted to make millions selling Fat Off? What about all the people you've lied to, fired and generally pissed off?"
"Nobody's perfect," Bernard replied sulkily. "Now I've told you everything I know and I'd appreciate it if the next time you send a reporter out here, you send your sister. At least I don't have a history with her."
"Yet," Mindy noted. "Good luck with that one, If you want a 'conventional' kind of life, I suggest you steer clear of my sister." Her cell phone rang. Glancing at the caller, Mindy saw that someone from the paper was calling. "Excuse me," she said while Bernard glared at her. "Yes? What? You're kidding me! I'll be right there."
"What is it?" Bernard asked.
"There's been a break in Fritz's murder," Mindy replied.
"Well, what happened?"
"Tyler Schuyler's niece's boyfriend has just been brought in for questioning."
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