Chapter Nine

Gabriel finished questioning the last of the men and let them leave the room. They didn't know anything beyond what they'd already told him. They all described pretty much the same details of finding the body. And all were accounted for when the lights went out. But he had learned Gray was not in the ballroom at that time. He'd soon find out where he'd been.

Gray accompanied the detective from the room without complaint. He rubbed a hand across his jaw. His son was dead. He'd needed him out of the way, and now he was gone forever. I really need to hold it together. I can do this.

The detective ushered the stately man into a chair in the library situated off the front parlor. "Mr. Westbrook, I'm very sorry for your loss. But I need to ask you some questions to determine exactly what happened. Are you able to talk with me?"

"Yes, I guess so." Gray sat with drooping shoulders and a vacant stare.

"Did your son have any enemies?"

"Of course he did. He... He was rich, good-looking, and my son. But I don't know anyone who would do this... Here, in my own home." The father's voice broke and he cleared his throat while blinking back the gathering moisture.

"I understand he and his girlfriend were arguing before it happened. Do you know anything about that?" Gabe recognized grief in Gray's eyes, but more than one murderer had felt remorse afterward. And there was something not quite right here, he was sure.

"I know Maribeth was quite upset with Gregory. But I don't know why. She told me he was being a jerk. Greg could be...inconsiderate of the ladies at times. Not as smooth as his old man." Gray ended with a little quirk to his lips, a glimmer of a smile.

"Inconsiderate how?"

"He often failed to send flowers or a gift after a night out. He wouldn't finish up one affair of the heart before embarking on another. He sometimes—no, often—forgot a prior engagement when someone new caught his interest. I think he really loved Maribeth, though. She was the first one he ever proposed to, you know? And I only... I just found that out after he died..." Gray turned his head away and swallowed hard, fighting the emotions roiling through him.

"Mr. Westbrook, what is it you're not telling me? We found your mask in the study. You have blood on your coat. You weren't in the ballroom when the lights went out. Now, wouldn't you like to tell me what happened?" prompted the detective.

"It's not what you think..." Gray's startled eyes met Gabe's. "Surely you don't believe I could have killed my own son? I must have dropped the mask when we found Greg. As for the blood... Let me think." He rubbed his face with a hand. "Ally, the maid... She came running out of the study and grabbed me. She must have had blood on her hands. But... I... Well, I might have been responsible for what happened to my son. You see, I was asked for a favor. A very big favor, but I brushed it off." Gray shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

"Yes, sir. I'm listening. You brushed off this favor? Any particular reason?" Gabe stopped writing and looked at Mr. Westbrook. Definitely unlike the self-assured man of the world to be so unsettled.

"I... Well, truthfully I wanted Maribeth to share her...affections with me. It was wrong, and I wish... But you see, she was so beautiful and just my type, a lot like Gregory's mother. I sent Erica to distract Gregory. I also slipped her a fifty to give to one of the waiters to trip the breaker – just as a Halloween prank. Then I tried to intercept Maribeth in order to comfort her and...ahem...become friendly. I saw her run into the bathroom. I waited around in the hallway, but she didn't come out. Then the power went off and..."

He shrugged and went on, "My plan seemed doomed to failure. I headed to the ballroom for candles then I heard a scream and the guests began to panic. I continued on to calm them and to get a light to see what had happened. Then we found him..." Once again, Gray cleared his throat and stared, unseeing, off into the distance.

Gabe believed the man. Who would admit to wanting his son's girlfriend if it wasn't the truth? "All right, Mr. Westbrook, only a few more questions. What was the favor you were asked for and who did the asking?"

Gray sighed. "The lieutenant governor asked the favor and was... Well, let's just say he was a bit out of sorts when I told him I would consider it and give him an answer in a few days. That's all I will say. You'll have to discuss the rest with him."

"Was Mr. Stevenson in the ballroom when you arrived after the scream?"

"No. At least, I don't think so... Surely, it couldn't have been Sam..."