Dead in Pleasant Company — Hannah Fairchild

Did the learning disabled CEO commit murder? That's the million-dollar question. Somebody did.In fact, for months someone has been killing people regardless of age, sex or geography and getting away with it. Oh sure, police know HOW they are dying. But why, where and, in particular, who is another story. The killer, dubbed Mastermind by the press, is protected by the same unique weapon he is using to kill indiscriminately and without apparent motive. Naturally the whole nation is in an uproar. Officials post huge rewards believing someone knows the truth and will come forward.Then Judd Tunnelson, the nation's top investigating television journalist, hints he knows whom it is. The next day, Tunnelson is found dead in Pleasant Company after dining with Sam and Salome in the Thaxton twins' restaurant. But Tunnelson's death does not fit Mastermind's established pattern and the Plainfield cops aren't buying it. Instead they fix on Barney Schantz, Pleasant Company's head chef, who had plenty of reason to bump the bombastic newsman off.Sal, now a police officer herself, is ordered to keep out of it so it is up to Sam to dig elsewhere. When a confession of sorts, one that will clear Barney, comes into Sal's hands, she convinces authorities the man couldn't have done it.Then who?