Arguing with a Mysterious Voice

…Well, the voice isn’t really mysterious, but what she’s saying may be thought to be–at least, it is supposed to fit into a cozy mystery and that makes it mysterious, doesn’t it? And, no one else can hear her except me but don’t think I’ve gone round the bend because hearing her is a good thing. It means that Ned McNeil, my protagonist in the next moonlight mystery, is talking to me. But, does she have to be so argumentative?

Ned: I really hope you let me have more than a cursory look around this nineteenth century mansion. It is beautiful. Can’t you sort of fix it so I live here?

Me: We’ve talked about this before. You have your own house, the Victorian that Uncle Javin left you. You told me you love it. And, the towns folk call it a mansion too–Granger Mansion.

Ned: Yes, but it isn’t half as big and fine as this one, where the murder takes place. Oh well, as you said, I like my own house and it is, after all, home.

Me: What do you think about the murderer, Ned? Should suspicions turn to him right away or should we throw in a few red herrings? He’s really an evil person, you know. I don’t want to make him too likable.

Ned: So, why are you asking me? You always keep these things a deep, dark secret. I don’t even know yet who the bad guy is. Are you telling me it’s a man and not a woman?

Me: Not sure yet. Could be both of them because they work together. So, help me out here–why would she know and keep his identity a secret?

Ned: Maybe she’s afraid of him? Maybe he is paying her to keep quiet?

Me: If she’s blackmailing him, she’s in terrible danger.

Ned: How about the old woman? Did she die of natural causes or did he murder her too? Or, did she murder her? Or, did they murder her?

Me: I’m getting a headache. Sometimes mysteries do this to me. How do you feel about just being very quiet for a moment while I settle down with another cup of Folgers?

Ned: Suits me. And, while you are recovering, I’ll probably just go ahead and solve the mystery!