“I do. But there are some questions here that need answers.” Peggy grasped Beth’s hands firmly in her own. “It may be hard on you while they ask the questions, but you want to know the truth about what happened to Park, don’t you?”
“You know I do.” Beth squeezed Peggy’s hands in return. “I’m just terrified. I’m not only worried about myself. I’m worried about Reddman and Foxx. What if I lose them, too?”
“We’ll make sure that doesn’t happen! But it’s not going to be easy for them either. Maybe your parents could take the boys home with them for a while until we get this cleared up.”
“I don’t want to sound selfish, Peggy, but I don’t know if I can stay in the house alone right now. I want to protect the boys, but I’m so alone without Park. The house seems so empty.”
“Pack a few things and stay with me,” Peggy suggested. “You can answer questions just as well from here. And you know I have plenty of space. It’s a little chilly because that stupid furnace is screwed up, but I’d love to have you here.”
Beth blinked tears out of her eyes as she wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand. “Thank you, Peggy. You’re so strong. I hope you don’t mind if I lean on you for a while.”
“I’m here for you.” Peggy grinned, tears in her eyes. “We’ll see this through. Frankly, I’m more worried about Shakespeare knocking you down the stairs than I am you being blamed for Park’s death. We just have to find out what happened to him and who was responsible.”
As Beth was about to speak, the sitting room door burst open, and Hunter raced out, waving her hands and talking so quickly, Beth and Peggy could barely understand her. Her face was red and her hair was messed up. Her burnt-red lipstick was smudged. “Well, I think we settled that issue. I’m your attorney, Beth. I’m advising you to answer any questions the police have regarding your husband’s death. We have nothing to hide, right? I’ll be there with you the whole time. You’re innocent. You have nothing to be ashamed of.”
David walked out slowly behind her. He was straightening his blue striped tie and trying to smooth his dark brown hair back but hadn’t touched the trace of burnt-red lipstick by the side of his mouth. One persistent strand of hair stood straight up on his head. He cleared his throat. “I think Hunter will do a good job for you, Beth. We knew each other briefly in school. She’s a good attorney. We talked, and we’ll be talking for a while. I mean, until you get through this. Then we’ll probably still be talking, of course. Maybe about different issues. But still talking.”
Peggy smiled and offered him a tissue to wipe off the lipstick. “That much is obvious.”
The attorney’s lean face suffused with pink as he took the hint and scrubbed the tissue against his mouth. “Anyway. I have to go. Hunter has agreed to keep her breast firm . . . I mean to keep the firm abreast of the investigation. Don’t hesitate to call if you need anything, Beth. We’re here for you and the boys.”
She thanked him, glancing at Hunter curiously. “Thank you for your help, David. I’ll be staying here with Peggy for a while until we get things straightened out.”
“Good idea.” He cleared his throat and gruffly told Hunter, “I’ll talk to you later. Good-bye, Peggy. Sorry for the interruption. I hope you’re okay.”
“I’m fine,” she reassured him, trying her best not to laugh as he almost tripped over a cane chair.
“I’ll walk you to your car to fill you in on some of the details, Davey,” Hunter volunteered with a wide smile, giving up on maintaining her professional demeanor.
“Thank you.” He opened the door for her. “We’ll just discuss a few more ideas about the . . . case . . . out here,” he explained to Peggy and Beth. He grinned and walked outside with Hunter, closing the door behind them.
“Well!” Peggy rolled her expressive green eyes. “That was interesting. Do you get the idea they may have been more than acquaintances in school?”
“I guess they’ll keep each other well-informed.” Beth sighed sadly. “It’s not going to be easy being alone, is it? I know you must be glad you have Steve in your life now. He seems so nice.”
“He is,” Peggy said. “And you’ll find someone else, too. I know it’s too soon to see that right now. But at least you have Foxx and Reddman.”
“I know.” Beth smiled. “And I’m happy I had Park all this time. But now I’ve lost my ride back to the house. You don’t by any chance have another bicycle do you?”
“No. But I’m going to call a taxi anyway, or I’ll be late. He can drop you at your house after he leaves me at the precinct.” She explained about the horse chestnut honey samples.
“And you really think eating that honey killed Park?”
“I think it was a factor.” Peggy called for the taxi, then put on her coat and scarf. “Maybe it was just an accident on the part of the honey manufacturer. Not all botanical poisonings happen on purpose. Most are accidental.”
They talked about the honey all the way to the uptown precinct. Peggy gave Beth a house key and told her to feel free to come and go, as she paid the driver’s fare. “I have to close up the shop when I’m done here. I should be home by seven, but if there’s a delivery, I could be later. Help yourself to some food. But whatever you do, don’t let the dog out of the laundry room. I’m afraid his lesson in obedience didn’t go well today. It may be a while before he can be in the house again.”
“Thank you, Peggy.” Beth took the key with a smile. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Waving as the taxi pulled away, Peggy glanced at her watch, then hurried into the police station. The sergeant at the desk sent her back to forensics with a visitor’s badge clipped to her sweater. She saw Mai waiting outside a door in the hall and called to her. “Sorry I’m late. I was trying to settle a few things.” She explained about Beth, Hunter, and David.
Mai frowned. “I’m not sure you should tell me anything else. This doesn’t look good for your friend. I work for the police. I can’t take sides. I can’t be your confidant in this.”
“Is something wrong?” Peggy was surprised by her attitude. Mai was helpful, determined to find the truth whether it was good for the case or not.
“I found out that I’m up for promotion,” Mai whispered with a shy, proud smile. “I might be the next senior assistant medical examiner. That means a lot to me, and I don’t want to do the wrong thing and mess it up. I’m sorry.”
“That’s all right.” Peggy smiled and patted the younger woman’s arm. “You work hard. You deserve the promotion. I’ll try not to make this bad for you.”
“Thanks. I’m glad you understand. The ME is waiting for you. We should go in.”
Peggy paused. “Would the promotion affect the situation with you and Paul?”
“You mean about the house?” Mai shrugged. “I don’t know yet. I still have so many doubts that have nothing to do with finances. I don’t know what to say. Have you spoken to him about it?”
Recalling her last visit with her son, Peggy shook her head. “No. He was upset with me about the honey. I thought it might be best to catch him when he’s more . . . amenable.”
Mai opened the door to the ME’s lab. “When it comes to talking about this house,” she told Peggy, “he’s never more amenable. Don’t worry about it. We’ll work it out. I’m sorry I tried to involve you. It was wrong. You’re Paul’s mother.”
“I’m also your friend, I hope.”
Mai smiled at her. “You are. Sorry. There’s just so much going on right now. I think I’m getting confused.”