Page 7 of Lost Cause
Victor started writing, his hand moving furiously over the page. He finished, clipped the pen to the cover, and handed them both to her.
She glanced at the information. Vidal Lemoine lived in Salem, Oregon, as Victor had said. The name Vidal was likely French and the V was in keeping with Victor’s first initial andhis ancestors’ names too. Next Victor had listed Sylvia Bass, housekeeper, and Ugo Morell, estate manager. They worked two full days per week and two part-time days.
Abby looked up from the notepad. “And these are the only individuals you think could know about the crown?”
He nodded. “But I honestly don’t think my son does. I’m beginning to believe someone randomly broke in and discovered the case.”
“But you didn’t mention any evidence of a break-in,” Burke said.
“I haven’t seen any.”
Burke arched an eyebrow. “What about the broken basement window?”
“Oh that.” He waved a dismissive hand. “Ugo is responsible for the damage. He was trying to repair a shutter a month or so ago and accidentally hit the window with his ladder. I thought it had been fixed by now. I’ll have to talk to him about it.”
“No offense, Victor,” she said as gently as she could, “but why haven’t you noticed the window is still broken?”
He looked her up and down, weighing her, and his expression said he found her lacking. “I have no need to leave my house. Everything is brought to me, so I haven’t been outside for quite some time.”
This could explain the disrepair. Could Ugo be scamming Victor—charging him for repair materials and then never buying them? But wouldn’t Sylvia mention the state of the building to Ugo? Or were they in on this together? Questions she would need to ask them.
“Before I leave I need to check the building for any intrusions.” She slipped into her jacket and picked up the blueprints. “If you’ll please stay here, I’ll report back after I’ve checked all the doors and windows.”
Victor gave a solid nod of approval.
She didn’t wait for Burke’s consent, but charged into the hallway. She put on a pair of disposable gloves from her jacket pocket to keep from contaminating anything.
“Hold up.” Burke’s voice boomed through the cavernous foyer. “We’ll do nothing until we talk about your role in this investigation.”
“What’s to talk about?” Abby wasn’t normally one to seek conflict, but her company came first, and she had to pull out all stops to find this crown. “Victor hired me to investigate, and I’m going to investigate. Starting now by checking the doors and windows for forced entry.”
He paused, the time ticking slowly by. “You’re a former sheriff and used to being in charge. I get that. But this is now an official crime scene—mycrime scene—and you’re disregarding my authority.”
“And you can’t limit my access.” She raised her hand to indicate the space around them. “I don’t see a cordoned off area designated as a crime scene. I see private property of the man who hired me to investigate the theft of his crown.”
He stared at her as if he didn’t know how to respond.
She squared her shoulders and held up the key ring. “I have keys to every door, and unrestricted access to them—no questions asked.”
Burke curled his fingers into fists. “My deputies are locking the place down now. They’ll be in any minute to cordon off the library.”
Say what?“Deputies? This is the first time you’ve mentioned them.”
“Wasn’t sure what I’d be walking into, so I brought backup—just in case.”
She eyed him. “Seems like an extreme response for a simple theft.”
“Victor’s got pull around here, so my sheriff’s all over this theft. As soon as he finds out what was taken, I’m betting he’ll put me on this case full-time.”
“Doesn’t surprise me Victor has friends in high places. All the more reason to throw everything you’ve got at this—wrap it up fast and make your department look good in the press.”
He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “What are you suggesting?”
“That we work together. My team and I will back you all the way—no stepping on toes, no stealing credit if it’s due.”
He tilted his head and studied her. “Why would you do that?”
“Because, as Victor said, finding this crown is urgent.” She intensified her gaze, looking him straight in the eye. “Letting it disappear forever wouldn’t end well for either of us.”
