Reunion in Death

«I was in the kitchen.» Another man spoke up. «I'm, um, Don Clump. You remember, Mr. Markie? We were in here together when we heard the commotion.»

«That's correct.» Markie nodded. «I'd just sent Charlie out with the crab puffs, and was instructing Don to begin a pass with the stuffed mushrooms. Gwen was just coming in with empties, and we heard shouting.»

«I have a witness who states that a female member of your staff handed Mr. Pettibone a glass of champagne just before he began his toast.»

Gazes shifted, dropped.

«It had to be Julie.» Sing-Yu spoke up again. «I'm sorry, Mr. Markie, but she's the only one who could've done it, and she's the only one who's not here.»

«Who's Julie and why isn't she here?» Eve demanded.

«I don't like my employees gossiping about one another,» Markie began.

«This is a police investigation. Witness statements aren't gossip, and I expect you and your staff to cooperate. Who is Julie?» Eve asked, turning to Sing-Yu.

«She's absolutely right.» Markie let out a long sigh, then moved over to pat Sing-Yu's shoulder. «I'm sorry, my dear, I'm not angry with you. Julie Dockport,» he said to Eve. «She's been with my company for two months. As to where she is, I can't say. She must have slipped out in the confusion immediately following Mr. Pettibone's collapse. It took me a few moments to realize there was a problem and to get from the kitchen to the living area. I didn't see her. When the police arrived and told us to come in here, to remain in here, she didn't come.»

«She wearing this getup?» Eve nodded toward the trim black pants and starched white shirts of the serving staff.

«Yes.»

«Describe her.»

«Medium build, I suppose, on the athletic side. Short red hair, attractive. About thirty, give or take a year one way or the other. I'd have to check my employment files to be exact on that.»

«Peabody, take the staff to another area. Put a uniform on them, then go find Julie Dockport.»

«Yes, sir.»

When they filed out, Eve sat, gestured to Markie.

«Now. Tell me what you know about this woman.»

It wasn't much. She heard words like competent, reliable, cooperative.

«She applied for a position,» Markie went on. «Her references checked out. She's been an excellent employee. I can only think she was upset and frightened about what happened here tonight and left.»

They both glanced over as Peabody came back in. «I can't locate her on the premises, Lieutenant.»

«Do a run, get her address. I want her picked up.» She got to her feet. «You can go.»

«My staff and I will pack up the food and supplies.»

«No, you won't. This is a crime scene. It stays as is for now. We'll contact you when it's clear for you to clean house.»

She took the son and daughter next. With their spouses they were huddled together at one end of the table in the formal dining room. Four pairs of eyes red and swollen with weeping turned to Eve.

The man who stood, bracing one hand on the table, was light complected with hair of a dull, dense blond worn short and straight. He had a soft chin and lips that all but disappeared when he pressed them together in a grim line.

«What's happening? Who are you? We need some answers.»

«Wally.» The woman beside him was also blonde, but her hair was brighter and upswept. «You'll only make it worse.»

«How can it be worse?» he demanded. «My father's dead.»

«I'm Lieutenant Dallas. I'm very sorry for your loss, and apologize for the delay in speaking with you, Mr. Pettibone.»

«Walter C. Pettibone IV,» he told her. «My wife, Nadine.» He turned his hand under the one the blonde had laid over his, gripped tight. «My sister, Sherilyn, and her husband, Noel Walker. Why are we being kept in here this way? We need to be with my father.»

«That's not possible at the moment. There are things that need to be done to get you those answers you need. Sit down, Mr. Pettibone.»

«What happened to my father?» It was Sherilyn who spoke. She was a petite brunette, and Eve thought she was probably remarkably pretty under most circumstances. Now her face was ravaged from weeping. «Could you just tell us, please?» She reached out, taking her brother's free hand, and her husband's, forming them into a unit. «What happened to Daddy?»

«The cause of death hasn't been confirmed.»

«I heard the MTs.» She took a long deep breath, and her voice strengthened. «I heard them say he was poisoned. That can't possibly be true.»

«We'll know very soon. It would help if you'd tell me what each of you were doing, where you were in the room when Mr. Pettibone collapsed.»

«We were right there, standing right beside him,» Sherilyn began. «Everyone was standing there-«

«Sherry.» Noel Walker brought their joined hands to his lips. It was a gesture Roarke often made, Eve noted. One of comfort, of love, of solidarity.