CHAPTER 12

After the confusing experience with Chester Brewer, Gail and Fiona drove to Mrs. Shipley's residence--ex-residence. Gloria Carpenter, looking melancholy and visibly upset, let them in. She was wearing an apron and had been vacuuming the front hall. Considering the recent tragic event, the act seemed odd, although, in the light of what they had been hinted about Mrs. Shipley's behest, it seemed strangely appropriate.

"We need to talk," Fiona said.

Gloria grudgingly shrugged her consent, but as Fiona and Gail moved toward the great room, Gloria waylaid them.

"Not there. In the kitchen."

They followed her into the kitchen where she sat down at the kitchen table and motioned them to sit opposite her. She seemed far more in command of herself than at their last discussion. Angry, but far more confidant.

"Where is Roy?" Fiona asked.

"He does the food shopping," Gloria said, as if the house was still operating under Mrs. Shipley's routine. Offering no further explanation, she directed her gaze at Gail.

"You had no business bringing Lionel into it," she said with contempt. "He is not involved in this."

"He attacked me, Gloria," Gail said, taking off her glasses to reveal her swollen eye.

"Attacked you? He's lying in the hospital with a broken shoulder."

"I'm sorry about that Gloria. But he was quite violent. I had to protect myself."

"Did Lionel say that Officer Prentiss moved first?" Fiona asked.

"What difference would that make? You all stick together. And we have no video to prove otherwise."

"Gloria," Gail said. The confrontation seemed to have energized her. "Lionel has a history of violence. He's been in and out of prison. And he's a known alcoholic and drug abuser."

"And he was doing just fine," Gloria said huffily. "Until you came along."

"That's debatable," Gail said flatly. She was in a vulnerable position on this score, Fiona thought, having seduced Lionel into a drunken state.

"Are you suggesting that he was no longer abusing substances, alcohol included?" Fiona asked.

"He was trying," Gloria said. "I suppose you went after him because someone told you that he had once worked for Madame and he had been fired. Well, for your information, I was the one who suggested to Madame that he be dismissed. Lionel agreed with me. He needed help. And it was Madame who paid for his rehab. Bet you didn't know that."

"Gloria," Gail snapped. "Is your brother still addicted to drugs?"

"No, he's not. He's clean."

"But still alcoholic. He was drinking yesterday."

"He told me that. You made him."

"I offered. He accepted."

"Don't you know that you never put temptation deliberately in the way of an alcoholic?" Gloria said indignantly. "Don't they teach you that in Police school?"

Fiona was surprised at the intensity of her defense of her brother.

"I had no idea he was an alcoholic." She paused looked at Fiona then confronted Gloria again. "I'm afraid your brother is a suspect, Gloria," Gail said. Fiona could see she was wound up, anxious to control the interrogation. Without an explanation, Fiona nodded her consent. "He admitted he knew the boy and his mother, that he hung out in the same neighborhood. I'm not saying he was the one who coerced Martine. But I am saying he was connected in some way to the boy and his mother. In our work, we can't ignore these little coincidences."

"My brother would never do such a thing," Gloria cried. "Never. You people.... "She shook her head. "And what you're trying to do to Roy. It's a disgrace."

"Lionel told me," Gail said, ignoring her outburst. "That you expected a substantial behest from Mrs. Shipley. Lionel seemed elated by that prospect as if he expected to share your largesse."

"Would that be a crime?" Gloria said with obvious hostility. It struck Fiona that she had apparently fully recovered from the shock of Mrs. Shipley's death and it was obvious that Gail was deliberately pushing her. Fiona continued to allow herself to be a spectator.

"Not at all," Gail countered. "I understand that you've been very good to your family."

"Yes, I have."

"And that there have been many problems with your sister's family as well."

"All families have problems, woman" she blurted, her anger rising. "And I don't see what any of this has to do with Mrs. Shipley's death."

"What are you expecting from Mrs. Shipley's will?" Gail asked pointedly. Fiona could sense the mechanics of the trap. She was going for Gloria's jugular.

"What difference does that make? I told you before that she was a very good and generous woman."

"What specific promises did she make to you and Roy?"

Gloria hesitated, obviously irritated by the tone of Gail's questions.

"I really can't tell about these things. It's not your business," Gloria said.

"That again!" Gail shot back. "We'll find out one way or another. What did she promise you, Gloria?"

"I can't say."

"Or won't."

"It's none of your business."

"Gloria," Gail said with studied exasperation. "The fact is that both you and Roy had expectations to benefit from Mrs. Shipley's death. Moreover you and Roy, undoubtedly, knew you would benefit because Mrs. Shipley promised it."

"Yes we did," Gloria said. "She told us she had made provisions for us."

"Besides," Gail pressed. "After all those loyal years of service, you thought you deserved what you had been promised."

"And what if I did?" Gloria said and in a gesture of belligerence, she folded her arms across her chest.

"It was more than loyalty that kept you here, wasn't it Gloria?" Gail asked.

"I told you the truth," Gloria answered, exhibiting a growing agitation that was eroding her arrogance. "I loved working here. And I cared about Madame. We were a family, the three of us, a loving family. I would have stayed on forever without any promises."

"When did she make you this promise, Gloria?" Gail asked.

"Years ago," Gloria said.

"At about the time William married Madeline Newton? Say eight, nine years ago?" Knowing what she knew, Gail had Gloria at a distinct disadvantage.

"I can't remember," Gloria said.

"How did she put it when she told you?" Fiona asked.

"She.... she just said it."

"Said what?"

"That she would take care of us in her will."

"No more than that?"

Gloria shook her head, but it was obvious that she was holding back. Besides, Brewer had confirmed it for certain.

Gail got up from the table and began to pace the room. Occasionally she exchanged glances with Fiona. With her dark glasses and height, Gail looked both mysterious and menacing. Vindication, Fiona thought suddenly. She is looking for vindication. It was more than an interrogation. Gail was deliberately trying to win back her credibility in Fiona's eyes by an exhibition of what she must have interpreted as impartiality, following the police policy of colorblind engagement.

"Gloria," Gail said. She had stopped her pacing and returned to where Gloria was sitting, standing over her, her expression fierce and aggressive. "Why are you lying to us?"

"I am not lying," Gloria protested, the residue of her earlier cockiness fading fast.

"Yes you are," Gail shouted, surprising Fiona with her vehemence. "You know that you and Roy are getting everything. Why not say so? We know you called Mr. Brewer to confirm it. Time to end your little game of innocence."

"I ... I.... "Gloria was having a tough time trying to simulate indignation. "She ... she promised."

"Have you any reason to believe that she reneged on that promise?" Gail asked.

'"No," Gloria whispered.

"Mr. Brewer also told you that Riggs Banks is now the executor, am I right?"

Gloria nodded sheepishly.

"And you called them?" Gail asked. It seemed a logical conclusion.

Gloria nodded.

"Couldn't wait, could you?"

"I ... I wanted to be sure."

"Sure that she fulfilled her pledge?" Gail snapped.

"I ... I have nothing. It's my only security."

"What did the bank say?"

"They said they were checking things," Gloria said.

"Worried that something will go wrong?" Gail pressed.

Gloria shrugged and made no comment. But she was clearly concerned. She had removed her arms from her chest and was now nervously playing with her fingers. When she didn't answer, Fiona pressed her.

"Are you afraid that William will contest the will?"

She shook her head.

"It wouldn't be his idea," she muttered. "Not Billy."

"Whose idea?"

"Hers," Gloria said with sarcasm. "The star."

"For what reason? She has plenty of money."

"Control," Gloria mumbled.

"So you shared Mrs. Shipley's animosity about Madeline?"

"That was my personal feeling," Gloria said. "I can't speak for Madame."

"Or won't."

Gloria shrugged and turned away. So she was still protecting Madame's privacy, Fiona thought.

"I have one more question Gloria," Gail said.

Gloria seemed to grow frightened at the prospect.

"What did you promise Lionel?" Gail asked.

"Promise?"

"Don't play the innocent Gloria."

Gloria swallowed hard, then bit her lip.

"Help," Gloria said. "The help of a good sister."

She bowed her head and struggled to hold back tears. But Gail had certainly made her point, both to Gloria and to Fiona.

"I'm going to bust this one, Fi." Gail said.

"You've got the wheel," Fiona said.

As they left, Gloria was slumped over the kitchen table, her head in her arms, her shoulders wracked with sobs.