Accused: A Rosato & Associates Novel (22 page)

“So your mom saw Fiona?”

“I don’t know. I just know I did, and she told me they broke up, or something.” Allegra scratched her head. “I don’t know how much I remember. I just know I saw Tim, and that I got the idea that I wasn’t supposed to be there, like she waved me away, or something. Whatever, I saw him there.”

“Were they fighting?”

“I don’t know.”

“Do you know why he would lie to us about that?”

“No.” Allegra looked stumped. “Why is everybody lying?”

“Could you remember wrong?”

“No.”

Mary didn’t dare look over at Judy, who was undoubtedly thinking that it was more likely that an almost seven-year-old Allegra was remembering wrong or imagining things, than that everybody was lying. “Were the friends Sue Winston, Mary Weiss, and Honor Jason, and Hannah Wicker?”

“Yes, they were there. Three of them were killed, though, in the accident. It’s so sad.”

“We know, Tim told us. But there is one friend, Hannah Wicker, whom he mentioned survived. Do you know where she is?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Was she close to Fiona?”

“Not as close as the others, but in the group. She came over our house a lot. She was a great rider and she used to exercise Paladin, my mom’s horse.”

Mary thought a minute. “Allegra, let me switch gears for a minute and ask you something. Who are you close to at home?”

“Nobody, really.”

Mary couldn’t even imagine what that felt like. “Who’s in the house on a regular basis, including staff? Is Janet Wolsey there?”

“Yes. How do you know about Janet?”

“Tim told us. How do you get along with her?”

“Great, she’s wonderful.” Allegra smiled. “She’s so nice and she practically raised me, after Fiona died. She really loved Fiona, too, and I guess I’m close to Alasdair, too.”

“Who’s that?”

“Alasdair Leahy, our caretaker.”

“Do you know where he lives?”

“Sure, in a house on the property. He’s been with us for a long time, too, since I was little. He used to drive me to school and stuff, if my mom was drinking.” Allegra flushed again. “I feel bad, telling you about that. Don’t tell anybody, okay?”

“Of course.”

“Alasdair is great. He does the stables and takes care of the roses, too. He knows everything about horses. He’s super handy, though now that he’s older, his back hurts.”

“And how about Janet? Where does she live?”

“She has a room in her own quarters in the house.”

Mary got an idea. “Let me ask you something. Was Alasdair or Janet at the opening party, by any chance, the night Fiona was killed?”

“Yes, they were both there. They’re like family.”

Mary made a mental note, and she knew Judy would, too. “Let’s switch gears a minute. How about down at the cottage? How does that work? Who’s there?”

“About six people, like secretaries and stuff. The main secretary, I guess she is like an office administrator, is Millie Marco. She’s been there a long time, too.”

“Was Millie at the party, the night Fiona was killed?”

“I don’t remember, but she would’ve been there. I’m not as close to the people in the cottage. Fiona used to work there after school, doing filing and stuff, but I was too little. My uncles sometimes come over and work in the cottage, when they don’t need to go into town. They don’t like the drive and it’s easier.”

“Tim Gage told us that, at the time Fiona was murdered, she was working on a big project for your uncle Richard, and that he’s really nice. Can you tell me anything about that?”

Allegra shook her head. “No, I don’t know what she was working on when she was down there. Just knew she worked there, and my dad always paid her, which she liked.”

“When she was working down there, would you be at the house?”

“Yes, before I went to boarding school.”

“Who babysat for you, during those times?”

“Janet.”

“Hold on, let me show you something.” Mary slipped a hand into her purse, pulled out the scrap of paper with the handwriting, and showed it to Allegra. “We found this in our car, which is how we knew you were here. Do you know who wrote this? Do you recognize the handwriting?”

“Yes, totally. Alasdair wrote that.”

“Aha! Mystery solved. You’re sure?”

“Totally.” Allegra moved her index finger back and forth over the paper. “Alasdair wrote this. He’s English. My mom used to go over there on riding vacations with Fiona, and that’s where she met Alasdair.”

“Do you ride?”

“No, I’m allergic.”

Mary noticed that outside the door, the escort was standing up and stretching. “Do you know why Alasdair would tell us where you were, when your parents wouldn’t?”

“He loves me.”

“Your parents love you, too, sweetie.”

“Oh, right.” Allegra permitted herself a sardonic smile. “I keep forgetting.”

Mary felt her pain. She couldn’t blame Allegra and she didn’t want to judge her. “How did Alasdair know where you are? Would your parents tell him?”

“My mom would have, when she used to ride. He would tack Paladin up for her and they would ride together. But she hasn’t ridden since Fiona.”

“So how did he know?”

“He’s in the house all the time. He could have heard them talking.”

“How come you didn’t hear them talking?” Mary noticed the escort outside the door, motioning to her through the window, then pointing at his wristwatch.

“I was outside a lot. I was actually avoiding them, after I hired you. My dad was pissed.”

“Okay, I think our time is up.” Mary gestured outside the door, then stood up, and so did Judy. “I don’t want to get you in trouble. We better say good-bye, and we’ll be in touch with you tomorrow. I assume that’s within the rules.”

“They gave me a phone in my room, but we’re not allowed to use cell phones and they restrict our email and online. You have to call the main number and connect to me.” Allegra rose, her forehead collapsing into a new frown. “This sucks, I hate to see you guys go. Do I really have to stay?”

“Yes, honey, for the time being.” Mary opened her arms and gave Allegra a final hug, feeling the young girl squeeze her tight. “Don’t worry, you’re going to be all right.”

“Would you visit me? Can you stop by tomorrow?” Allegra sprang out of Mary’s arms, alarmed. “Oh my God, I almost forgot to ask you. Can you help me out with something really important?”

“Sure, what?”

“My bees are coming in the mail, and they’ll be at the post office tomorrow morning. If you don’t pick them up, they’ll die.”

“
Live bees?
” Mary recoiled. “What, do they come in a box?”

“Yes, with screens for air. They’re Italian bees, very docile, and I even got an Italian Queen.”

“Is this a joke? I
am
an Italian Queen, and I don’t know what to do with live bees.”

“You have to get them when the post office opens or they’ll die, and please mist them, first thing when you pick them up. They’ll be thirsty.”

“Bees drink?”

Allegra smiled. “Everything drinks.”

“What if I get stung?”

“Are you allergic?”

“No.”

“Then you have nothing to be afraid of.” Allegra smiled in a way that was supposed to be reassuring, but didn’t succeed. “I order from an apiary that sells bees to people who want to get stung.”

“They
want
to?” Mary never understood people’s sex lives. She was Catholic.

“It’s a holistic remedy that helps a lot of people. It’s called apitherapy, and you can even buy bee venom in a bottle.” Allegra brightened. “I rubbed propolis on my zits and it helped.”

“I’ll remember that.” Mary opened the door. “Just tell me what to do with the bees. Let them out, right?”

“No, then they
will
sting you.”

“So what do I do?”

“Bring them to Alasdair. He’ll help you. He knows a bit about how to install them.”

“A bit?” Mary asked, aghast. “Does he know or not?”

“He’s never done it by himself, but he’s a sweetheart and he’ll help you. He can show you how the smoker works and he knows where my outfit and veil are. Wear them and you’ll be fine. You can install the bees with his help.”

“I can install software, but bees?” Mary said, dismayed, as the escort approached them. They were out of time, and somehow she was getting stuck babysitting bees, or beesitting. “Can’t I just let them die?”

“No, please,” Allegra wailed. “Please don’t.”

“Allegra,” Judy chirped up, and they passed through the door. “Does Alasdair have a cell phone?”

“Sure, I’ll give you the number.” Allegra brightened. “He doesn’t email or text, and don’t call him this late, okay? He’ll be at work at six o’clock in the morning.”

Judy turned to wink at Mary. “Think, girl. The bees will help with our next step.”

“Great,” Mary said, but the only next step she saw was a trip to the emergency room.

Chapter Twenty-five

Mary and Judy left the Pavilion, walking down the long flagstone path to the visitors’ parking lot. The night air felt cool and the breeze velvet-soft on Mary’s face, and there were no lights this far out in the country. She looked up at the starry bower of night sky, wishing she knew some constellations, and breathed in the loamy smell of fresh crops, but when she exhaled, it sounded like a sigh. “I feel bad leaving her here, all by herself,” Mary said, folding her arms across her chest.

“I know you do, but I think it was the best thing for her.” Judy walked slightly ahead, her leggy stride characteristically longer, her head bent over her BlackBerry. “God, I have a ton of email.”

“She’s right, it does suck.”

“We could never have gone to court on these facts, and she’s smart enough to understand that.” Judy scrolled through her email and stepped off the flagstone, taking the most direct path over the grass, though Mary would’ve stayed on the path. She was a color-within-the-lines kind of girl.

“Can you imagine what it’s like to live in a family and not feel close to a single one of them?”

“No.” Judy looked up from her BlackBerry and led them through the parking lot, which was empty except for the blue BMW. Circles of light shone on the black asphalt, like hazy halos cast from mercury vapor lamps. “Allegra Gardner is your basic poor little rich girl.”

Mary thought it sounded harsh. “She’s such a sweet kid, though. She’s smart and funny, and she has an open heart.”

“I didn’t say she didn’t.” Judy halted at the car and gestured wearily at the door. “You want to unlock it?”

“Sure.” Mary dug in her purse for her keys, chirped the door unlocked, and they both got in. “So what’s your idea about the bees?” she asked, plugging the key into the ignition, starting the engine, and reversing out of the spot. “And did you follow what she told us later, about misting them and making sure they had enough syrup?”

“No. The bees are a complete nuisance, but they make a perfect excuse to get back on the property.”

“True, but
live bees
? Sheesh.” Mary steered out of the lot and onto the road that led from the Churchill campus. She switched on her high beams because the darkness was so complete, and her headlights illuminated underbrush, tree trunks, and moths flying this way and that, in random fashion. “I figure we go out to the post office in the morning, after we pick up the plant mister she was telling us about. I assume it’s the same thing I use on my fig trees. Maybe I’ll bring one from home.”

“Let me stop you right there, though. We need to talk about something more important.”

“More important than fig trees and bees?” Mary was making a joke, but when she glanced over, Judy wasn’t smiling, in the reflected glow of the dashboard lights. “What’s up?”

“I’m more worried about this case than I was before, even after today at the farm.”

“Why? I feel better about it. We actually have a lead, in Alasdair, and if that note means anything, he might be on our side.”

“True, but that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m worried about you and Fiona. The stuff I was telling you about before, but more so.”

“Like what?” Mary steered through the darkness, trying not to be spooked by the bugs flying into her high beams. They were traveling on another endless country road that she prayed would eventually lead to civilization, or failing that, Philadelphia.

“You were calling her ‘sweetie’ and ‘honey,’ and you hugged her.”

“So? I do that.”

“I know, but even though you do that with a lot of people, she doesn’t.”

Mary didn’t get it. “She needed a hug, and I gave her one.”

“Or three.”

“What difference does that make?” Mary felt herself on edge, between trying to understand what Judy was saying while worrying if a deer was going to jump out in front of the car, or maybe even a bear or a dragon.

“I just don’t think it’s such a good idea, and you see that she’s already beginning to identify you as her big sister, as Fiona.” Judy’s tone sounded concerned. “Plus she asked you to visit her, and now you’re running around getting her bees, and me, too. I didn’t go to law school to go fetch bees, and neither of us have the time to visit her, though I note she didn’t ask me, only you.”

“But we just said, the bees give us an excuse to talk to Alasdair and get information from them. It’s not only getting bees, it’s getting information on the case.”

“I’m not talking about our motives, I’m talking about the effect we’re having on her. Allegra is latching on to us, and by us I mean you. That concerns me.”

“I’m trying to understand why.”

Judy fell silent a minute, and the only sound was the rumbly tackiness of the BMW’s dry tires on the road.

Mary hated silence, so she started yapping. “I’m close to all of my clients. I built an entire client base of people from the neighborhood. Relatives, people’s parents, and girls from my high school Latin Club. Every one of my business relationships is personal.”

“I know that,” Judy said, her tone quieter.

“I go to their weddings, funerals, and their baby showers. I’m godparents to kids from a plumbing company and an auto body shop. I love them all, I do. It’s a different business model. You don’t have to be distant to be professional. You just have to be smart and work hard. You just have to care.”