“Well, one thing Peggy couldn’t tell you, since we managed to keep her out of the crime scene,” Al explained, “is that your mother-in-law managed to write a single letter in her own blood before she died. It was clearly a B.”
“That doesn’t mean I did anything. In the ten years I knew her, Isabelle never called me Beth. You can ask anyone. She always called me Elizabeth. She was very formal. But I’m sure there are plenty of people with B as an initial. I was home all night last night. I didn’t hurt Isabelle.”
Jonas got to his feet and paced the tiny room like a caged cat. “Come on, Mrs. Lamonte. You expect us to believe you weren’t angry at your mother-in-law’s accusation about your husband’s death? She said you killed him. We know she accused you to your face right in your home, in front of your friends. That must have made you upset. Maybe you didn’t mean to hurt her when you went over there. Maybe you just wanted to shut her up and things got out of hand.”
“Isabelle Lamonte meant her accusation metaphorically, Lieutenant, I’m sure,” Gary intervened. “Mrs. Lamonte and my client didn’t get along well, not an unusual relationship in families. When she said my client killed her husband, she meant in the sense that she wasn’t good enough for him. But anyone who knew Isabelle knew how she felt about the relationship. It wasn’t a secret.”
“That’s not the impression we were under, Mr. Rusch,” Jonas said. “Isabelle Lamonte was explicit. She believed your client actively killed Mr. Lamonte for the ten million dollar life insurance policy. She told us that her daughter-in-law actually killed her son. There was nothing metaphoric about it.”
“Not that it matters, Lieutenant. As my client told you,” Gary reiterated, “she was here with the children all evening. I think that’s about all we have to say on the matter.”
Jonas glared at Beth, clearly not satisfied. “I hope you’ll advise your client to work with us, sir. This isn’t over yet. We’re conducting a more in-depth autopsy on Mr. Lamonte and checking out the car again as well as continuing the investigation into what happened to Isabelle Lamonte. If we find anything out of the ordinary, we’ll be back. Maybe with an arrest warrant. And we want to talk with your housekeeper. I need her name and address.”
Gary smiled, unruffled by the threat. “If that time comes, Lieutenant, we’ll be here. You’re welcome to the housekeeper’s name and address.”
Al and Jonas left after Beth wrote down Alice’s full name and phone number. She wasn’t sure about her address. Al remarked on the fact that the two households shared the same housekeeper.
Beth shook her head. “I’m sure you’re mistaken, Detective McDonald. I don’t think Alice has ever worked for Isabelle.”
Checking his notebook, Al replied, “I have her finding Mrs. Lamonte last night. She said she’s worked for her for years.”
“He’s telling you the truth,” Peggy chimed in. “I—uh—overheard the same thing outside.”
“Overheard, huh?” Jonas remarked.
“I-I don’t know what to say.” Beth glanced at Peggy and Gary.
“Does this have some bearing on the case, Detective?” Gary asked him.
Al shrugged. “I’m not sure yet, Mr. Rusch. It might. Talk to you later, Peggy.”
The lawyer showed Al and Jonas to the front door. Beth hid her face in her hands. “I can’t believe this is happening to me. Isn’t it enough that Park is dead? Why is this happening?”
Peggy didn’t know what to say. Gary came back and sat on the side of the chair beside Beth. “Sorry about that. We don’t want to give them the impression we’re not cooperating. You need to think back, Beth. Maybe Alice saw you some time last night when you went downstairs for some water or you asked how the children were doing. Maybe she looked in on you while you were resting. She was worried about you. It would be a spontaneous thing to do.”
His meaning was clear. Peggy’s eyebrows raised, and Beth stared at him. “I didn’t do anything, Gary. I’m not going to ask Alice to lie for me.”
He shrugged, quite elegantly for wearing flannel, Peggy thought, watching him. “You have to know the police will be back whether they find anything wrong about Park’s death or not,” he informed her. “It isn’t a big stretch of the imagination for anyone to think you could sneak out when no one was looking, push Isabelle down the stairs, and come back. Her house is only a few minutes’ walk from here.”
“It took me about five minutes, maybe.” Peggy squeezed Beth’s hand again. “I agree with Gary. I don’t think it’s over either. But there’s no reason to lie about it. The evidence will prove you innocent.”
Gary got to his feet and glanced at his Rolex. “I’m just trying to help. I would rather nip this in the bud than fight it in court. You know we’ll all do whatever we can for you, Beth, but a B drawn in the old lady’s blood is pretty dramatic. All those friends of yours who heard Isabelle say you killed her son will testify for the DA against you, whether they want to or not. Having Alice say she glanced in and saw you sleeping seems easier to me. But you do what you think is right.”
“Thanks, Gary.” Beth shook his hand.
Was it Peggy’s imagination or did his hand linger on Beth’s a little longer than was necessary?
“I wish I could handle this for you, but I’m swamped. I’ll send someone from the firm over to help you out.” He smiled and hugged Beth, his hands sliding up and down her slender back, pressing her closer to him.
Peggy frowned. Really, the man had no sense of propriety!
Beth closed the door behind the attorney and leaned against it.
“I hope whoever he sends is better than Mr. Rusch,” Peggy said.
“Gary’s a very good attorney. Park always said so.”
“Maybe. But I wouldn’t want him on my side!”
“What else can I do?”
“I know just the right person,” Peggy took out her cell phone. “I’ll give her a call.”
Hunter Ollson was there in twenty minutes. She was tall, blond, and beautiful, more like a fashion model for Fitness Today than an attorney. She hugged Peggy when she saw her, dropping her briefcase on the wood floor. “I’m so happy to see you! You called at just the right time. I was trying to decide if I should give up being a lawyer and go into wrestling. I defended a lady wrestler last month. Do you realize how much money they make? The Warner case made me notorious in this town. All I can get now is DUI sports figures and race car drivers who slap their fans.”
Peggy laughed. Hunter was always a breath of fresh air. “Beth, this is Hunter Ollson. She’s Sam’s sister.”
Beth shook Hunter’s hand. “I remember your name. You defended Mr. Cheever when he was accused of killing that man in Peggy’s shop. Hello, Hunter. I’m Beth Lamonte.”
“Hello. I’m so sorry for your loss and this other mess. I hope I can help.” Hunter picked up her briefcase, and the three women went into the dining room. From the kitchen, they could hear Foxx and Reddman’s laughter as they helped Beth’s parents make cookies. “Wow! Something smells good.”
“Would you like a gingerbread man?” Beth went into the other room and came back with a tray of cookies.
“Thanks.” Hunter munched one, exclaiming when it was hot but continuing to eat. “I didn’t have time for breakfast. Sam was supposed to bring pizza by last night and got held up somewhere else or with someone else.”