Fixing To Die

Even the police officer started to sit, evidently realized she wasn’t supposed to, and straightened up again. An’gel surveyed the results of her command with satisfaction. She heard light clapping and knew without turning her head that Dickce was applauding. She ignored her sister for the moment.

“Officer, I would like to speak to Lieutenant Steinberg,” An’gel said. “Please get word to him right away.”

The policewoman nodded. “Yes, ma’am.” She hurried from the room. An’gel hoped she wouldn’t get in trouble for leaving them alone, but the officer returned in less than twenty seconds at An’gel’s estimation.

“He’s ready for you, ma’am,” the officer told her.

“Thank you.” An’gel did not relish the thought of the conversation she was about to have with the taciturn Steinberg. He was not going to be happy with her when she had her say, but she had faced worse.

Another officer opened the library door for her, and An’gel walked in. Steinberg stood before the fireplace, his back to it. “You wanted to speak to me, Miss Ducote?” He gestured to a nearby chair, about seven feet away from where he stood.

“Thank you, Lieutenant.” An’gel approached the chair, but instead of seating herself, she took her position beside it. She let her right arm rest on the back of the chair.

“I have two things to discuss with you, although the first is more in the nature of a confession.” An’gel paused to gauge the effect of her words. The lieutenant did not react in any way that she could detect. “I’m not confessing to causing the death of Nathan Gamble, mind you. I believe it was my fault that Mrs. Pace had the opportunity to exit the house without being seen.”

Steinberg frowned. “Would you care to explain that, ma’am?”

“I plan to,” An’gel replied, a little more tartly than she’d intended. “I could see that Mr. Wilbanks appeared to be in distress. He had been perspiring heavily, and I was afraid he was becoming dehydrated. I asked the young officer in the room if we could have water brought to us. I believe that while he was distracted by my request and trying to get water for us, Mrs. Pace seized her chance and went out the window. I didn’t notice it for at least two or three minutes after she must have done it. I alerted the officer as soon as I realized what must have happened.”

“I appreciate your candor, Miss Ducote,” the lieutenant said.

Was that a none-too-subtle payback for her question earlier about Nathan Gamble’s death? An’gel wondered. If so, she decided to ignore it. She simply nodded.

“It’s unfortunate that Mrs. Pace chose to take such action,” Steinberg said, “but she will soon be in our custody. I’ll see that she doesn’t escape again. Now what is the second thing you wish to discuss?”

“Food,” An’gel said. “It’s nearly two o’clock now, and I don’t believe any of us has had anything to eat since around eight this morning. I request that you allow us to feed ourselves, either from the kitchen here, or I will be happy to call and have food delivered. Enough food for everyone, including you and your officers.”

“That’s kind of you,” Steinberg said. “My officers and I have to decline your offer, but I see no reason that you and everyone else can’t eat now. Except for Mrs. Pace, of course. I will need to talk with her first.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant,” An’gel said. “I know everyone will be grateful.” Did she dare push her luck and ask another question? She had many, of course, but figured the most she could hope to get away with was one. But which one?

“Was there anything else, ma’am?” Steinberg asked.

“Yes, there is.” Might as well try, she thought. “Was Nathan Gamble murdered? He didn’t seem the type to commit suicide.”

Steinberg regarded her in silence, probably only for ten seconds, but those ten seconds felt like a hundred when she thought about it later.

“Suicide seems unlikely,” the lieutenant said. “That’s all I can tell you. I trust it will go no further at the moment, although I’m sure you will want to tell your sister.”

“Yes, I will.” An’gel wondered why he had answered. She really hadn’t expected him to.

“I know who you are, you see,” Steinberg said.

“I beg your pardon,” An’gel said, confused.

“I know Kanesha Berry,” Steinberg said. “We recently served on a state law enforcement task force together. She had several interesting stories about the Ducote sisters.”

“I see,” An’gel said. She might have a little talk with Kanesha when they were home again. She wanted to know exactly what the deputy had been telling her colleagues.

“Kanesha assured me that if I ever encountered you in the course of an investigation, I might as well resign myself to being helped.” Steinberg quirked an eyebrow. “She also told me that you wouldn’t overstep and that I should listen to you if you had something to tell me.”

“That was kind of her,” An’gel said, now feeling embarrassed. Was the lieutenant about to confide in her? Give her more details of the case?