Yeah, But Houdini Didn't Have These Hips – post #8 According to legend, it only took Harry Houdini 2 minutes and 27 seconds to escape a straightjacket while being suspended from a crane being used to build the New York City Subway. Mattie, Milla's brother, had tried to copy the renowned magician's feats when they were kids. He had Milla tie him up in their Dad's old bathrobe, but it still took Mattie more than 10 minutes to escape. He finally had just wriggled out of the contraption. But Mattie's fighting weight was 97 pounds and he had the hips of a snake.
The Amazing Harry, topping 240 pounds and hired by G. Winston Howard to entertain his guests, couldn't have wriggled his way out of a paper bag.
In fact, the most amazing part of Harry was the size of the ketchup stain on his starched white shirt. Milla assumed it was ketchup because the Amazing Harry hadn't missed a bite during the entire interview, sloppily dipping handfuls of French Fries into the condiment bowl on the table.
"Is that what you wore to the party?" Milla still needed to find someone in a warlock costume – even if it was just to eliminate him/her as a suspect.
He nodded. "Black tux. My normal costume."
Milla noticed that the color of the ketchup and the color of the shirt stain weren't the same red, and she didn't think the difference was made by Heinz. She'd have to ask Fletcher to collect the shirt and have the stain analyzed. Whoever stabbed Carla Jordan probably got a splattering of the assistant's blood.
Milla looked at her barely-touched plate. The hamburger was going cold, the French Fries limp. G. Winston Howard was providing lunch for all of his guests that were still detained on the estate awaiting interviews. Even though it had been more than twelve hours since she'd had any food, she couldn't eat. Sitting at a table with Amazing Harry had killed her appetite.
Next Clue Location - http://ellenbyerrum.livejournal.com/
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Welcome to Yeah, But Houdini Didn't Have These Hips! I'm a member of the St. Louis chapter of Sisters in Crime. Leave a comment on this post to be entered into a drawing to win a recent book from one of our members! In your comment, be sure to mention whether you prefer noir, craft cozies, thrillers, or paranormal romances. Thanks for stopping by, and good luck on The Stiletto Gang's Hallopalooza Scavenger Hunt!
23 comments:
It's coming along - still no clue but I'm figuring things out.
I like craft cozies or thrillers.
I'm having fun.
I love cozies! Fun read so far.
There have been some great clues, just trying to figure out who it could be.
dlodden at frontiernet dot net
Ketchup stains, eh?
speer dot david at gmail
A mysterious red stain, a broken glass, an escape artist, a makeup artiste ... Wow, what a story this is turning out to be.
Julie
jagmiller5 at gmail dot com
Things are getting interesting...I love any kind of mystery but my favorite is paranormal romance.
kpg813@gmail.com
Ah ha! That reminds me that lunch is coming up ...
PK the Bookeemonster
peakae@aol.com
I am enjoying this story.
I like paranormal romances.
Crystal816{at}hotmail{dot}com
I love cozies the feature crafts or food! I am having so much fun with Hallopalooza.
jgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com
Leaving a comment for Suzy -
Ahhh.
Gazing into my crystal ball, I vaguely see a shadowy figure trying to surface in the forefront of the crowd. Could this be the shadow of dearly departed Carla trying to reveal who her killer is? I love all mysteries, but prefer paranormal such as ghostly ones, not gory ones. Thanks for your participation in Hallopalooza! Suzy
thorntonks@yahoo.com
Noir or thriller for me. Yes, the Amazing Harry has thrown a monkey wrench into this puzzle.
jbh307 at bellsouth dot net
I am getting hungry for fries but I will continue my search.
I like cozies.
Helen Kiker hdkiker@comcast.net
I am really enjoying this. I have not figured it out yet. I really like to cozy.
anpichette@gmail.com
Things are getting interesting, indeed. . .
zedster.tbb(at)gmail(DOT)com
I'm enjoying following the clues and entering the contests - I'm a cozy mystery fan if I should be lucky enough to win.
Penny
pennyt@hotmail.com
This is a blast!! I am enjoying this regardless if I am lucky enough to win or not. I like cozy mysteries and thrillers.
Thanks for being part of this Halloween fun!
pawsnstamp@crestviewcable.com
I'm still trying to figure it out.
I prefer paranormal romances.
mizztuts AT bellsouth DOT net
Hi my first time here - what fun!
I think I'd like noir, if given a choice.
mayamissani AT yahoo DOT ca
Could red stains be red herrings?
I like all mysteries, but prefer paranormal or noir.
emmasmom AT wi DOT rr DOT com
Hmm, while I'm guessing the red stain could be blood, I kinda doubt it's Carla's, but then who knows. Anything is still possible!
Dori (dc.gink@gmail.com)
And the clues go on ...
Great fun. I like thrillers or cozies.
Boots9k
Thank you all for playing! I'll announce the winner tonight. :)
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