Mona inspected the great mahogany desk in the library with her magnifying glass and found minute scratches near the drawer locks. “This is why Uncle Manfred didn’t trust his desk and kept important documents in his room. Someone pried the drawers of his desk open,” she muttered, ringing for Jetta.
“Yes, Miss Mona. You called for me?”
“Where did Uncle Manfred keep his checkbook, Jetta?”
“In the desk drawer.”
“Always?”
“Yes.”
“Did he keep it locked?”
“Yes, he kept the key on his watch fob.”
“He didn’t have a safe?”
“I was never aware of one.”
“I can’t seem to find his checkbook. Do you know where it is?”
“Mr. Deatherage has it.”
“Another thing. I can’t find any of Uncle Manfred’s correspondence after 1931.”
“Mr. Deatherage had the post office forward all of the estate’s mail to his office.”
“Why?”
“You need to ask him, Miss.”
“I’m asking you.”
Jetta shifted her feet uncomfortably. “Mr. Moon and Mr. Deatherage believed it was in the best interest of the estate if the checkbook was locked in Mr. Deatherage’s office, and his staff review all of Mr. Moon’s mail.”
“Why was that?”
“I hesitate to say.”
“It wouldn’t be because Uncle Manfred believed his sister, Melanie, was embezzling from the estate, and he felt someone was going through his private papers?”
Jetta grew wide-eyed. “How did you hear?”
Mona took this as confirmation of what Mildred Chandler had told her. “So it’s true. Is that why Melanie and her children were asked to leave Moon Manor?”
“Yes, but Mr. Deatherage couldn’t prove Miss Melanie was the culprit.”
“Who else was suspected?”
“All of the servants were questioned, even myself I’m ashamed to say.”
“Since no one has been fired, I take it nobody took the blame—or has someone been let go?”
“No one, Miss Mona. I assure you.”
“Jetta, besides Mr. Deatherage, no one knew Uncle Manfred’s business like you did. Was someone blackmailing him?”
“He became anxious and was secretive, but I was not privy to Mr. Moon’s thoughts, let alone his secrets.”
“Let me assure you that I don’t appreciate information kept from me. I’ve been met with nothing but resistance from the staff regarding my uncle’s demise, and I’m tired of it. If you wish to continue here, you’d better speak up. I don’t like to be kept in the dark.”
“I understand. Is that all?”
Mona sighed. “You may go.” She hated being harsh with Jetta, as she thought her secretary to be a kind, thoughtful person, but something was not right at Moon Manor, and Mona was determined to ferret it out.