SHORT STORY WEDNESDAY: WHITE CARNATIONS

 "White Carnations" by "Q. Patrick " (pseudonym of Richard Wilson Webb and Hugh Callingham Wheeler) (first published in Colliers, February 10, 1945; reprinted in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine #25, November 1945, in John Creasy Mystery Magazine, April 1958, and in Suspense (UK), January 1959)

Lt. Timothy Trant made his debut in the 1937 novel Death for Dear Clare.  This, plus the following two novels were published under the "Q. Patrick" pseudonym; the remaining five novels in the series were written as "Patrick Quentin" -- two of which also features "Quentin" 's most famous detective, theatrical producer Peter Duluth.  The character also appeared in 23 short stories, plus five of the novels abridged for magazine publication under the "Quentin" by-line.

Trant is a Princeton-educated police lieutenant in New York City's Homicide Department;  it was his "passionate interest in the less orthodox behavior of human behavior which had deflected Timothy Trant, Princeton '35, from a solid business career into the police force."  I can only assume it was his ability to allow him to reach this position in such a short time.  Many of Trant's short story appearances involved quick little puzzles that confound all but himself -- sixteen of them appeared in the Sunday newspaper supplement This Week.  

"White Carnations" brings a beautiful girl from Trant's past to his office.  Nine years before, back in his college days, he once danced with her at a prom.  He specifically remembered her white evening gown with very little back and that she waltzed superbly,  Angela Forrest entered Trant's office carrying a bunch of white carnations.  She was obviously frightened.  Today was her birthday, she told Trant some one had anonymously sent her the carnations and she feared that she was marked for death, as had happened to two other family member.

It was a tradition that the family gather for a birthday celebration dinner for whoever's birthday it was.  Her Uncle John had died on his birthday six month before, shot with his own revolver.  Angela had arrived at the house first that evening and discovered the body lying among scattered white carnations knocked over from a nearby vase.  The police deemed it suicide and Angela accepted that verdict even though her uncle had never liked flowers.  Then, in February, her aunt had died of carbon monoxide poisoning on her birthday.  She had received white carnations from an unknown source.  The police seemed to think it was just an accident.  Two deaths, two birthdays, two bunches of white carnations...Trant was intrigued.  The aunt had died outside of Trant's jurisdiction but the investigating officer was a friend.  Calling him, Trant learned that his friend suspected murder but could not prove it.

Angela's father had been very wealthy.  His estate went in equal shares to Angela, his siblings, and their children.  If anyone died, their money would be divided among the remaining heirs.  Money is always a good motive for murder.  Angela's remaining family consisted of three cousins and an aunt.  Cousin Philip was an unsuccessful broker and a very successful alcoholic, twin cousins Lucy and Bertram were ardent and eccentric research chemists, and maiden Aunt Ellen (a "holy horror") was a disagreeable, pushy woman with a cat allergy.

It was decided that Trant would attend the birthday gathering as Angela's old friend from Princeton.  Angela's family was as terrible as promised.  After dinner there was peach brandy.  When Angela brought her glass up to her mouth, she hesitated slightly.  Trant immediately switched glasses with her.  Angela's glass smelled just a little bit off, with a faint scent of bitter almonds.  Circumstances had it that anyone could have poisoned Angela's drink.  With the murder attempt foiled, Trant felt it would be safe for Angela to retire for the night and lock her door.  he felt sure he could name the murderer when he returned the next morning.

Trant's confidence was shaken later that night when he remembered seeing Angela's cat playing  with a catnip mouse.  Suddenly he realized that the murders may continue.  Desperately, he rushed to Angela's just in time to stop the last murder and capture the culprit.

This is a fair play detective tale.  The clues are there for all to see but the authors do a yeoman's job in pacing red herrings and mystifying the reader.  Good stuff.

"Q. Patrick" had a somewhat varied background.  The pen name was first used by Richard Wilson Webb and Martha Mott Kelly, then by Webb and Mary Louise Aswell, then by Webb alone.  In 1936 Webb partnered with Hugh Callingham Wheeler and the started a prodigious output as "Q. Patrick" (mainly Timothy Trant novels), "Patrick Quenton" (the Peter Duluth novels), and :Jonathan Stagge (featuring Dr. Hugh Westlake, a G.P. in rural Pennsylvania).  The partnership ended in 1952 with Webb's death.  Wheeler then continued to write eight more novels under the "Patrick Quentin" name.  Wheeler then went on to great success as a playwright with such hits as We Have Always Lived in the Castle, A Little Night Music, Candide, Pacific Overtures, and Sweeney Todd:  The Demon Barber of  Fleet Street.  Wheeler garnered two Tonys, three New York Drama Critics Circle awards, a Vernon Rice award, and a Hull-Warriner award.

The Edgar-winning short story collection The Ordeal of Mrs, Snow and Other Stories (1961) is a must-read, as are the Peter Duluth novels.

The November 1945 issue of EQMM that contains "White Carnations" is available to read online/