Classified as Murder

by Miranda James

  TWENTY-ONE

  Hearing that made me sick to my stomach. I had done my best not to think about the implications of poisoning, but confronted with the news of Mr. Delacorte’s allergy, I couldn’t help but feel ill.

  To think that a member of his family had, with cold, deliberate malice aforethought, watched him eat food with peanuts in it and then stood there and let him die from it—well, the whole thing was horrifying.

  Alexandra approached me with an expression of concern. I let her help me to the sofa. She bent over me, watching me anxiously. Diesel mewed, sensing my distress, and hopped up beside me.

  “Can I get you something?” she said.

  “What have you done to my father?” Sean’s furious tone startled both Alexandra and me.

  I looked up to see him looming over both of us, his face distorted by a fierce scowl.

  “Dad, are you okay? What’s going on here?” Sean appeared ready to do battle. Dante hopped about around his feet, whimpering.

  Diesel growled. I put my arm around him to calm him. “I’m okay; nothing’s really wrong. It was simply a reaction to something Q.C. said.”

  “What did he say?” Sean glared at Alexandra as she moved away from me to stand by her father.

  Pendergrast smiled. “Relax, young man. We were talking about James’s death. I stated that he was allergic to peanuts and that a member of the family killed him by feeding them to him.”

  Sean frowned down at me. “And that made you turn white as a sheet? I don’t get it.”

  I was getting exasperated by the questions and the attention. “I was unsettled by the thought of how cold-blooded that is, to feed a man something knowing that it will kill him. And probably to stand there and watch him die.”

  “I see what you mean,” Sean said, his irritation replaced by distaste. “Somebody sure hated him, to kill him like that.”

  “Unfortunately for him, James brought out the worst in the rest of the family. Money will do it every time.” Pendergrast consulted his watch. “You must excuse me. Deputy Berry should be along any minute now. Alexandra, if you’ll accompany me.”

  “Yes, sir.” Alexandra gathered her jacket and briefcase, but before she followed her parent out of the room she addressed me. “Mr. Harris, if there’s anything I can do for you, please let me know.” Her glance swept over Sean, and her nose wrinkled as if she smelled something unsavory.

  As she turned to leave, Sean spoke. “I apologize, Miss Pendergrast. I was concerned about my father, and I misread the situation.” His tone sounded grudging to me, but at least he was making an effort.

  Alexandra faced Sean. “Apology accepted, Mr. Harris. I really am not the enemy, you know.” With that she exited the room.

  Sean frowned at her back, but when he saw that I was observing him, he assumed a bland expression.

  “So I guess we’re supposed to cool our heels in here until we receive further orders?” He sat down in a chair near the sofa, and Dante hopped into his lap.

  “We’re waiting to find out when we’ll be allowed back in the library,” I said. “Q.C. said he would ask Kanesha about it right away.”

  “If we can’t get back in there today, you are planning to go home, aren’t you?”

  “Yes,” I said. “There would be no point in staying here.”

  Sean nodded. He pulled his cell phone out of his jacket pocket and started fiddling with it. I took it as a sign that conversation was not welcome right now.

  At the moment I didn’t feel like forcing Sean to talk to me. I was thirsty, and Diesel probably was, too. I stood and announced that I was going to the kitchen in search of something to drink.

  Sean nodded but didn’t look up from his phone. Dante opened one eye and quickly closed it again.

  “Come on, Dante, why don’t you go with us?” I said. “Want some water?”

  Dante perked up his head, and Sean handed me the leash. “Thanks for taking him. He probably could use some water. It was a bit warm outside.”

  I accepted the leash without comment, and he went right back to his phone.

  “Come on, boys,” I said, and the two animals preceded me to the door.

  In the hall I turned left toward the kitchen. I hoped the cook wouldn’t kick up too much of a fuss at my bringing the animals into her domain.

  What was her name? She was a friend of Azalea’s, and Azalea had mentioned her by name, I was sure of it. I thought hard as we walked down the hall, and when we reached the kitchen door, I had it—Lorraine.

  There was no sign of Lorraine in the kitchen when we walked in. I wondered where she could be, because it wasn’t long before lunchtime. Surely there ought to be food under preparation here, but when I scanned the room, I could see no evidence of it.

  I stood there for a moment, uncertain what to do. I didn’t like the idea of poking around the kitchen on my own because this was not my house. But at the same time I was increasingly thirsty, and I wanted to take care of Diesel’s and Dante’s needs as well.

  I took a few steps farther into the kitchen and surveyed the cabinets, hoping to identify the likeliest spot for glasses and bowls. I walked over to the sink, the boys trailing along, and opened a cabinet to the left of the sink.

  Pay dirt on the first try. One shelf of the cabinet held glasses, and another had some small dessert bowls. I pulled out bowls for each animal and a glass for myself, and filled them from the tap.

  Diesel and Dante lapped with enthusiasm, and I felt much better for the cool water. I drained my glass and refilled it. This time I sipped it more slowly.

  I glanced down at the boys to see if they needed more water, and both animals stiffened at the same time. Then I heard voices, growing more distinct as the speakers neared the kitchen.

  Across the room from where the animals and I entered was another door, partially open. The sounds emanated from that direction. As I watched, the door swung open to reveal Truesdale and Daphne Morris as they walked into the kitchen.

  The butler had his arm around Daphne’s shoulder, and Daphne leaned against Truesdale’s side.

  “Don’t worry,” Truesdale was saying. “Everything will be just fine.”

  “Oh, Nigel, whatever would I do . . .” Daphne broke off when she saw me standing at the sink. She stopped in her tracks and caused Truesdale to stumble. He righted himself, and Daphne nodded in my direction.

  I cleared my throat. “My apologies. I was thirsty, and the animals needed some water also. I hope you don’t mind.”

  Truesdale frowned, but then the frown smoothed away. “Certainly not, sir. You are more than welcome to refreshment, as are your companions.”

  Daphne stared at me for a moment, then seemed to collect herself. In a prim tone she said, “Thank you for your help, Nigel. I’ll leave the matter in your capable hands.” She nodded a couple of times before she scurried out the door into the front hall. I had no idea she could move so quickly.

  The butler did not acknowledge her departure. He continued to observe me. “Is there something more I can get for you, Mr. Harris?”

  “No, thank you,” I said. I had the distinct impression that he cordially wished me to the devil right about then. I drained my glass and set it in the sink. “I had what I needed, and I think the boys are done, too.” I reached down and retrieved both bowls, now almost empty, and put them in the sink, too.

  Diesel didn’t meow at me to let me know he wanted more, and Dante looked happy too, so I figured they’d had enough. Time to head back to Sean.

  “If you require anything further,” Truesdale said, “please ring the bell and I will attend to your needs.”

  Stay out of the kitchen, you mean, I thought. That was pretty clear. “Of course. I’ll ring next time.” I nodded and took a couple of steps toward the door along with the animals.

  Before I stepped any further, the back door opened, and a voice I knew called out, “Nigel, dearest, how are you? You poor thing. I came the minute I could get away from work. I really don’t kno
w why I put up with the way they treat me.”

  I turned to see Anita Milhaus, my least favorite library coworker, throw her arms around the butler and envelop him in a fierce hug. I didn’t think she had seen me.

  Truesdale coughed loudly, his body stiff. Anita released him and stepped back with a hurt expression. “Nigel, honey, what’s wrong?”

  “Will that be all, Mr. Harris?” Truesdale glared at me.

  Anita turned and saw me, and her eyes widened in shock. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’m sure Truesdale will explain,” I said in a bland tone. “Now, if you’ll both excuse me, I must get back to what I was doing.”

  With that, the animals and I hurried out of the room.

  Halfway down the hall, I slowed my pace. How should I interpret what I had witnessed in the kitchen? Was Truesdale involved romantically with Anita Milhaus?

  And what about Daphne Morris? She tried to pass it off as innocuous, simply asking the butler for help, but I thought their manner with each other betokened a more intimate relationship.

  Or were these women cozying up to the man who had inherited a significant amount of money and a beautiful antebellum mansion? But how could Anita Milhaus have known about the inheritance so quickly?

  I had no good answer to that. This incident was decidedly odd, but it might not have anything to do with James Delacorte’s death.

  Dante pulling at his leash called me back from my woolgathering. “Okay, boy, we’ll get you back to Sean.” I resumed progress toward the small parlor, and as I reached it, Alexandra Pendergrast popped out of the door of the large parlor across the hall.

  “Mr. Harris, could you join us for a moment?” She glanced down at the cat and dog. Diesel warbled for her, but she merely frowned. “Perhaps without the animals?”

  “Give me a moment,” I said. “I’ll ask my son to watch them.” Not an animal lover, I supposed, or perhaps so rigidly proper that she couldn’t relax enough to let the animals be present during a business discussion.

  I took the boys into the room to Sean, still playing with his phone. He nodded as I explained. “Progress of some kind, at least.” He shook his head. “I’m getting hungry, so whatever the decision is about the library, maybe we could find some lunch before doing anything else.”

  “That sounds fine to me,” I said. “I’ll be back soon with the news.”

  Diesel meowed hopefully at me as I headed for the door. I turned back for a moment. “Sorry, boy, you can’t come with me now, but it won’t be long.” He stared at me for a moment before turning his back to me.

  I smiled as I shut the door behind me. That cat had as much personality as some people I knew.

  What Alexandra thought of my smile as we crossed the foyer to the parlor I had no idea. Her brisk, businesslike manner remained intact as she opened the door and ushered me inside.

  “Charlie, come on in and have a seat,” Pendergrast called out. He was seated near Kanesha on one of the sofas perpendicular to the fireplace. I took a spot on the other one, and Alexandra did also.

  “Good news,” the lawyer said. “Deputy Berry here says you can resume working on the inventory.”

  “That’s good,” I said.

  Before I could speak further, Kanesha interrupted. “There is one condition, however. There will be an officer on duty in the library twenty-four hours a day until this case is solved.” She held up a hand as if she anticipated a protest. “This is a precaution because of the importance and value of the book collection. It’s not a reflection on you.”

  “Thank you,” I said. “I didn’t think it was. I’m actually pleased to know that there will be an officer available while we work.”

  “We?” Kanesha frowned, then her face cleared. “You mean your son, right? He’s going to be helping you.”

  “Yes,” I said. “And we will also have the two animals with us.”

  “As long as the job is done properly, it’s fine with me.” Kanesha stared at me. “There is an officer already posted at the door of the library. When you’re ready to resume work, he will unlock the room and remain inside with you.”

  “Fine.” I rose. “I’ll have a quick look around, and then my son and are going home for a quick lunch, if you don’t mind.”

  “That’s okay,” Kanesha said.

  I hesitated for a moment. I felt I should tell her what I’d observed in the kitchen a few minutes ago, but I was uncomfortable telling her such things in front of the lawyers. I decided I would call her later.

  “Do you need something else?” Pendergrast asked.

  “No, I’m fine,” I said. “See you all later.”

  Alexandra remained with her father and Kanesha, and I let myself out of the room.

  I walked down the hall to the library and spotted Deputy Bates standing guard.

  “Good morning, Deputy,” I said. “Deputy Berry didn’t mention that you were the officer on duty here.”

  “Morning, Mr. Harris,” Bates replied with the ghost of a smile. “Let me unlock the door for you.”

  The lights were already on when I stepped inside. I couldn’t help a quick glance at the desk to reassure myself there was no corpse present. I walked farther into the room and surveyed it.

  The library seemed mostly undisturbed by the investigation. Mr. Delacorte’s desk wasn’t as tidy as it had been, and the books I had placed on the work table yesterday morning were all piled at one end now, instead of being spread out across the table. But overall there was less disarrangement than I expected.

  I glanced toward the door and saw Deputy Bates watching me intently. I nodded and resumed checking the room. I looked at the desk again and realized that something didn’t seem quite right about it.

  I moved closer and stared at it. What was it?

  My gaze focused on the three bound volumes of the inventory.

  Three?

  There should be four.

  TWENTY-TWO

  Where was the fourth volume of the inventory?

  I had been working with the first volume, and maybe I had left it on the work table. I walked over to check, thinking how foolish I’d feel for my momentary panic when I found the absent volume right there.

  Except that it wasn’t there.

  I went back to the desk and examined the three volumes lying atop it. There was a Roman numeral stamped in gold leaf near the base of the spine of each book. I saw I, II, and III, but no IV.

  I got down on hands and knees and checked underneath the desk. No book.

  Then I checked the desk. All the drawers were unlocked with nothing in them. I supposed the authorities had removed the contents.

  Where the heck was the fourth volume?

  That volume was where the latest addition to the collection, the copy of Tamerlane, would be listed, I realized. That could be the reason the book was missing.

  I thought about it further.

  If the killer wanted to obliterate evidence of the purchase, why hadn’t he or she simply removed the relevant page from the book? Why take the whole thing?

  And why hadn’t the killer taken the time to remove those letters the police found on the desk?

  The more I thought about it, the more it didn’t make sense to remove the book and not take the letters.

  Unless, of course, the killer wasn’t smart enough to have considered the implications of his actions.

  “Is there something wrong, Mr. Harris?”

  I was so involved in my speculations that I had forgotten the presence of the deputy.

  “There is, Deputy,” I said. “There should be four books like that.” I pointed to the inventory volumes on the desk and explained what they were. “The one that’s missing contains the information on the more recent additions to the collection.”

  “I’d better get Deputy Berry in here,” Bates said. He stepped away from me and pulled out a cell phone. “I’ll see if she’s still here.”

  I moved away while he conversed with Kanesha in a low voice. Bates
flipped the phone shut. “She’ll be right here. Luckily she hadn’t left yet.”

  He barely finished speaking when the door opened and Kanesha walked in.

  “Tell me,” she said as she stopped about a foot away from me.

  I explained again about the inventory and the missing volume. I paused when I finished and waited for a reaction. Kanesha didn’t speak right away, so I decided to share my speculations with her.

  She listened to my reasoning, and when I concluded, this time she did speak.

  “Very good questions,” she said. “There’s an inconsistency, and I don’t like inconsistencies—unless they help me solve the case.” She glanced around the room. “You think the missing book could be somewhere in here?”

  “It would be a good place to hide a book, at least for a little while,” I said. “It would take some time to search the shelves, because of having to handle the contents carefully, but I don’t see the point of hiding it in here. Surely the killer would realize that it would turn up relatively quickly. Are you going to have to search the house again?”

  Kanesha shook her head. “Doubtful. I’ll check with the officers who carried out the search, see if any of them recall seeing a book like that and whether it was in here when they searched.”

  I could understand her reluctance to go through the whole house again, but the missing volume could be very important evidence. She was in charge, however, and I decided to let it go for now. I had something else to tell her anyway.

  “Before I forget it,” I said, “I observed something a few minutes ago I think you should know about.”

  “Go ahead, I’m listening.” Kanesha nodded at me.

  I related the two scenes I had witnessed in the kitchen. “I don’t know whether any of this is pertinent to the investigation, but I thought you should know.”