The words must have come as a shock to Ms. Andrews, as it came as a shock to Maude, just to say them. Minutes after Ms. Andrews had hung up the phone, Maude kept replaying the phone call in her head. It was quick, but went somewhat like this:
"Hello? Is this Lynn Andrews?"
"It is, indeed. How can I help you?"
"I am very sorry to have to tell you this, but-"
Lynn Andrews rather rudely interrupted.
"But your husband has been murdered."
With a sharp "click" the phone hung up. Although Maude knew how much of a shock it must have been, she had so much as experienced it herself, she just couldn't get over how unpleasant the woman had been.
But none of that mattered now, she had a murder on her hands, and the only next of kin was rather.. Unwilling to speak to her. Although she didn't know how to solve a murder, she decided the best place to start would be the library. And so, she set off; half-hoping she wouldn't run into another murder.
What a funny thing it would be, to have such a thought. It's one thing, in itself, to hope you wouldn't run into one murder, nevermind two; but Maude was already in over her head, and didn't know what she would do if she had to do a thing such as this twice.
But, dear reader, as much as we can look upon Maude in a pathetic way, would you be able to solve one murder? And that is what Maude was doing at the moment.
Maude sauntered into the library, looking up to the eccentrically high ceilings in awe. She wished she could dally, as the antiquity of the esteemed library was enough to wisp her off her feet. The luxurious library held dozens of books; and the librarian was rather welcoming.
"Miss Miller!" the librarian's voice called out. The woman was wearing a green skirt and a white blouse, and had her glasses resting upon her head. "How can i help you, this fine day?"
It was enough to make Maude laugh, until she remembered she had serious business.
"Mrs. Smith! Please point me to the non-fiction books." Maude said sweetly.
"Not your usual pick, but they are the three last rows on the right, and there's a small section on the tenth row to the left."
"Thank you, Mrs. Smith." Maude quickly found her way to the most plentiful section of non-fiction books she had ever seen. Mrs. Smith clasped her hands together and headed back to her post at the front desk, hoping to greet the next visitor who walked in.
Meanwhile, Maude quickly- as she always did- found exactly what she was looking for.
She checked out three books, (and a fourth novel, just for fun.) and made her way back to the counter. She watched as Mrs. Smith scanned her very informative books on crime, starting with solving murder and chuckled as Mrs. Smith raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to comment on the out-of-the-ordinary book choices. Maude hurriedly piled the three books, and one novel, into her bag; before paying the fee.
"Say," started Mrs. Smith, "have you seen Mr. Andrews around lately?"