Chapter Twelve

At the insistence of a bedraggled Bo-Peep, Gabe and Isobel finally allowed Ms. Venture to go upstairs in order to get some rest. They were left with Maribeth and Ally in the front parlor.

"Ms. Rivers, you may as well leave too. Be sure the officer has your address and phone number. If you need someone to drive you home, just ask," Sergeant Sands offered, running a hand over his chin.

"Gray asked me to stay. I'll be upstairs if..." She left the room, crying once again.

Gabe and his partner turned to the attractive, well-endowed woman sitting on the settee. They took the chairs near her and began.

"You're a maid here aren't you, Ally? For how long?" Gabe asked.

"Mr. Westbrook hired me back in August... One of the maids left to have a baby."

"How well did you know Gregory?" Isobel wanted to know.

"What do you mean? He was Mr. Westbrook's son. I served him meals and cleaned up after him like I was told," Ally answered. She shifted on the small sofa and crossed her long, shapely legs.

Gabe cleared his throat, lifting his eyes back to her face. "Tell us what happened tonight. Where were you when the lights went out?"

"I was out in the kitchen. Gray—uh—Mr. Westbrook said to bring more canapés for the buffet. I spoke to Walter, the butler. He'll tell you."

"And why did you go to the study with the lights off?" Isobel wanted to know.

"Walter sent me to make sure some lamps were lit in that wing. He didn't want guests wandering around there in the dark. He was afraid they would knock over some of Mr. Westbrook's valuables."

The detective jotted some notes then asked, "Weren't you worried about roaming around in the dark?"

"I had a candle... Until I tripped over poor Gregory. Never even saw him laying on the floor before I fell on him. I caught a look at his face just before the candle went out. One hand went in all that – blood. The other landed on...him." Ally shuddered and closed her eyes. "I knew he was dead. Nothing else feels like a dead person...you know?"

"We know," Isobel assured her. "Did you hear or see anyone when you went into the study, Ally? Did you pass anyone in the hall?"

"I saw a couple of guests at the end of the hall as I went by. I heard giggling and they drew back around the corner as I passed. I figured they were fooling around away from the crowd, if you know what I mean. I didn't see or hear anyone in the study."

"What did you do next, Ally?" Gabe prompted.

"I screamed and I ran. Took me several tries to find the door in the dark. Then I ran straight into Gray... Uhm, Mr. Westbrook and those other men."

Isobel tossed out, "Did you and Gregory ever have a relationship?"

"No... We didn't. I mean – he offered, but I wouldn't. I didn't want to lose my job. And just because I'm...uhm ... like this, that doesn't mean I sleep around."

"It would be understandable though, wouldn't it? Attractive, wealthy man like Gregory. Could have been a real step up if he'd fallen for you. And we know he liked the ladies." Isobel pushed for more.

"You can say that again. He had plenty of them on a string. But he tossed them aside like empty cans too—including that lieutenant governor's daughter. I hear she's pregnant. Wouldn't surprise me at all if it was Gregory's. He sure loved the women. Glad he wasn't my type."

Gabe shook his head. They were right back to Samuel Stevenson again. Tomorrow would be a long day of chasing down the lieutenant governor and learning all about the affair between his daughter and the victim.

"We have to ask, Ally. Did you touch the knife when you fell? How could your fingerprints get on the knife?" Isobel could guess, but she had to ask.

Ally thought for a minute. "I don't remember touching the knife... But things happened so fast. I could have, I guess. I was awfully scared. And I helped set up the buffet by wiping down all the silverware before it was put out. There were knives with it."

"Okay, Ally. You can go for now. Don't leave town and be sure you give the officer at the door your contact information." Gabe stood and stretched. It had been a tiresome day.

"I don't like how this is shaping up, Gabe." Isobel flipped back through her notes. "We are going to be in a world of trouble if we go after Stevenson and it wasn't him."

"Yeah, but if we don't we may let a murderer go free. I'm beat. Let's get some rest and start again in a few hours."