Did they think he killed himself? That was something she hadn’t considered. “Yes. He seemed normal. We discussed a party we were to attend this coming weekend.” Not that she’d wanted to go to a party. He’d already given her a list of guests she was to probe for information.
“Where did you and Mr. Smith go after you finished dinner?”
“I retired to my bedroom to read. As far as I know, Louis went to the library.”
“Is that your usual routine if you have no events to attend?”
“Yes.” No need to mention that other nights Louis would go to the library, but then slip out after a few hours to visit the brothels. If anything she considered that practice a reprieve for her.
“And when did you leave your bedroom?”
“This morning. When I came downstairs for breakfast.”
The Chief wrote furiously, sliding a toothpick back and forth in his mouth as he shot questions at her. Her brain had settled down a bit and she was beginning to think beyond her horrible discovery. She was free. Louis was dead. He could never hurt her again.
“Mrs. Smith. One last question before we examine the body.” The Chief’s question interrupted her thoughts.
“Yes.”
“Do you know of anyone who would want to kill your husband?”
“No. Absolutely not.”
Her head whipped around as Martin gave an exaggerated cough.
The sound had caught the Chief’s attention as well. He narrowed his eyes as if seeing the extra person in the room for the first time. “Who are you?”
“Martin Lopez. I am the driver for Mr. and Mrs. Smith.”
“Is that right? And do you know of anyone who would want to kill your employer?”
Martin hesitated and then shrugged. “No.”
“Chief, why did you ask if Louis was depressed? Do you think he might have killed himself?” Emily wanted the attention off Martin before he said anything that would implicate Hunter.
He dragged his attention back to her. “We’ll soon know when we finish here and take a look in the library.” He turned to Officer Mallory. “Any questions from you?”
“No, sir. You know my theory already.”
The Chief shut the notebook and stood. “Please wait here, Mrs. Smith, while we take a look in the other room.”
She nodded, glad to have the interview over. Martin stayed in the room with her when the officers left. The way he stared at her made her uncomfortable. He’d been very devoted to Louis. Or at least devoted to the paycheck Louis gave him.
“You don’t have to wait here with me, Martin. I’m sure if the Chief needs any further information from you, we can find you.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Although respectful words, the way he said them made her skin crawl. She turned and looked out the window, wondering if Hunter would be waiting for her at Millie’s Shop. If not him, then maybe a note telling her what plans he’d made. She just wanted this awful day to be over.
After about twenty minutes the police officers returned to the room. They stood on either side of the doorway, their Chief between them. “Mrs. Smith, we’ve determined that your husband was killed by someone other than himself. We’ve notified the coroner and he will be here shortly to make his report and remove the body.”
“I see. Now what will happen?”
“Well ma’am, you’ll be relieved to know we have a suspect that we’ll pick up as soon as we leave here.”
“Already?”
The Chief nodded. “A man came into the station last week about an old murder.” He chuckled. “Accused Mr. Smith of the deed. Officer Mallory sent him on his way, but with a warning not to take the law into his own hands. It appeared he did anyway.”
As the Chief continued to speak, Emily’s heart started to pound and her breathing hitched. She licked her suddenly dry lips.