Jane made an attempt at fluffing the stiff hospital pillow. Finally the poor anemic thing surrendered into a lumpy bundle. The old woman leaned her frail spine into the pillow and wished for her goose feather pillows on her own sweet little bed. Some mornings when she first woke she thought she was home in her own bed, under her light coverlet and two hand knit blankets waiting for the light to traipse through her hellebores and wake her. The constant hum of the hospital always woke her too soon from this waking dream.

Firmly, Jane shook her head. Her pneumonia had improved and she was due to be released in a few days’ time. Her dear nephew Raymond was eager to take her on a restorative holiday. Nothing as eventful as her trip to Mesopotamia or her trip to the Caribbean or even at her stay at Bertram’s, someplace quiet and safe.

Raymond was devoted to keeping her safe. Jane hated to be fussed over. She knew that anywhere there were people there would be evil under the sun. Even a library could be dangerous, Jane well knew. Despite her genteel manners and steely gray curls, Jane uncovers wickedness wherever she encountered it.

So what does one bring to a deserted island, Jane mused to herself. Raymond would be stopping by this afternoon for her list of supplies for this secret adventure. She tapped her tiny gold pen against her temple. Jane returned to her notepad.

Raymond rushed into the regional hospital’s reception area. Traffic had been an absolute nightmare. St. Mary Mead has once been a bucolic village but progress had transformed it to McMansions and shopping centers masquerading as a quaint small town. Visiting hours were nearly over Raymond realized as he walked to the desk.

“I’m so sorry Mr. West, your aunt is fast asleep. She seemed so excited for your trip she wore herself out. But she left you her supply list. I’m afraid poor tabby may be a little confused. I can’t make heads nor tails of it,” Sister Hickson said.

The note read: latex gloves, magnifying glass, fingerprint powders in red and black, Rutherford’s Compendium of Everyday and Exotic Poisons, glassine envelopes, crime scene footprint casting powder, handcuffs, and sunblock.

“What do you think, Mr West?”

“I think my Aunt Jane is feeling up to her old tricks,” Raymond said chuckling. "and there is nothing we can do to stop it.”