Classified As Murder

TWENTY-TWO

Where was the fourth volume of the inventory?

I had been working with the first volume, and maybe I had left it on the work table. I walked over to check, thinking how foolish I’d feel for my momentary panic when I found the absent volume right there.

Except that it wasn’t there.

I went back to the desk and examined the three volumes lying atop it. There was a Roman numeral stamped in gold leaf near the base of the spine of each book. I saw I, II, and III, but no IV.

I got down on hands and knees and checked underneath the desk. No book.

Then I checked the desk. All the drawers were unlocked with nothing in them. I supposed the authorities had removed the contents.

Where the heck was the fourth volume?

That volume was where the latest addition to the collection, the copy of Tamerlane, would be listed, I realized. That could be the reason the book was missing.

I thought about it further.

If the killer wanted to obliterate evidence of the purchase, why hadn’t he or she simply removed the relevant page from the book? Why take the whole thing?

And why hadn’t the killer taken the time to remove those letters the police found on the desk?

The more I thought about it, the more it didn’t make sense to remove the book and not take the letters.

Unless, of course, the killer wasn’t smart enough to have considered the implications of his actions.

“Is there something wrong, Mr. Harris?”

I was so involved in my speculations that I had forgotten the presence of the deputy.

“There is, Deputy,” I said. “There should be four books like that.” I pointed to the inventory volumes on the desk and explained what they were. “The one that’s missing contains the information on the more recent additions to the collection.”

“I’d better get Deputy Berry in here,” Bates said. He stepped away from me and pulled out a cell phone. “I’ll see if she’s still here.”

I moved away while he conversed with Kanesha in a low voice. Bates flipped the phone shut. “She’ll be right here. Luckily she hadn’t left yet.”

He barely finished speaking when the door opened and Kanesha walked in.

“Tell me,” she said as she stopped about a foot away from me.

I explained again about the inventory and the missing volume. I paused when I finished and waited for a reaction. Kanesha didn’t speak right away, so I decided to share my speculations with her.

She listened to my reasoning, and when I concluded, this time she did speak.

“Very good questions,” she said. “There’s an inconsistency, and I don’t like inconsistencies—unless they help me solve the case.” She glanced around the room. “You think the missing book could be somewhere in here?”

“It would be a good place to hide a book, at least for a little while,” I said. “It would take some time to search the shelves, because of having to handle the contents carefully, but I don’t see the point of hiding it in here. Surely the killer would realize that it would turn up relatively quickly. Are you going to have to search the house again?”

Kanesha shook her head. “Doubtful. I’ll check with the officers who carried out the search, see if any of them recall seeing a book like that and whether it was in here when they searched.”

I could understand her reluctance to go through the whole house again, but the missing volume could be very important evidence. She was in charge, however, and I decided to let it go for now. I had something else to tell her anyway.

“Before I forget it,” I said, “I observed something a few minutes ago I think you should know about.”

“Go ahead, I’m listening.” Kanesha nodded at me.

I related the two scenes I had witnessed in the kitchen. “I don’t know whether any of this is pertinent to the investigation, but I thought you should know.”

“Thank you, Mr. Harris. I appreciate you observing, like we agreed you’d do.”

“You’re welcome,” I said. I checked my watch, and it was a few minutes past noon. Sean must be wondering what was taking me so long. “My son and I are going to run home for lunch, but we’ll be back soon to resume work on the inventory.”

“Yes, you already told me that. Deputy Bates will be here when you get back.” Kanesha glanced at the door and then back at me.

I took the hint. I nodded to the two deputies and left the library.

Sean and the two animals were waiting by the front door. Upon seeing me, Diesel meowed once, then turned his back to me. He was still annoyed I left him with Sean, but he’d forget about that in a few minutes.

“What took so long, Dad?”

I explained as we left the mansion and headed for the car.

“Strange” was Sean’s comment on the missing inventory book.

On the short drive home we talked about what to have for lunch and settled on sandwiches and potato chips. Fast and easy, which was good, because I was eager to get back to the inventory.

The animals disappeared in the direction of the utility room the minute we entered the kitchen. While I made the sandwiches, Sean got our drinks and the chips.

Cat and dog were back by the time we sat down to eat. Two hopeful faces regarded us, waiting for a treat.

While we ate, I gave Sean a summary of James Delacorte’s will. I thought he should know since he was going to be working on the inventory with me.

“Old Mr. Delacorte didn’t care much for his family, to judge by the will.” Sean had a sip of ice tea. “The only person he seems to have liked is the butler. Don’t you think that’s kind of strange?”

“He must have had his reasons.” I had another bite of my ham sandwich. “I’d say he had a lot to put up with while he was alive, and maybe this was his way of telling them what he really thought of them.”

“Maybe,” Sean said. “But what about the butler? Delacorte never married, did he?”

“I don’t think so,” I said. “But just because he never married and left the bulk of his estate to his butler doesn’t necessarily mean he had romantic feelings toward Truesdale. Or that Truesdale was in love with his employer. From what I observed earlier today, I don’t think he’s gay.” I gave Sean the rundown on the encounters I’d witnessed.

“Maybe not, but he doesn’t seem like the type to be juggling two women, and one of them his employer’s sister,” Sean said. “But the whole setup is interesting. It’s a good thing for Truesdale the estate doesn’t revert to the family after his death. Otherwise, I figure he’d probably be next on the hit list.”

“Agreed. The same thought occurred to me.” I finished my sandwich and considered having another but decided that two was enough. “Hubert seemed really surprised he wasn’t the chief heir. I wonder if he’ll contest the will. Pendergrast didn’t think he’d have much chance with it.”

“Hubert would have to find a lawyer willing to go up against Pendergrast first.” Sean scooped a handful of chips out of the bag onto his plate. “I did some research on the net last night on Pendergrast. He’s a legend in Mississippi legal circles—and beyond, actually. Hubert wouldn’t stand a snowball’s chance, the way I see it.”

“I’m sure you’re right.” I picked up my glass to refill it from the pitcher on the table. “Hubert impresses me as being more bluster than anything else. He’ll probably tuck his tail between his legs and slink off to some corner.”

Sean just laughed at that. He finished his sandwich and chips while I cleaned up the kitchen, and we were soon on our way to the Delacorte mansion with Diesel and Dante. As I drove, I outlined to Sean the method I was using to check the inventory.

Two official cars, one from the police department and the other from the sheriff’s department, were parked in the driveway. I pulled up behind them and cut the engine.

To my surprise it was Stewart Delacorte who opened the door to us. He grabbed at my arm and said, “You’re finally here. I’ve been watching for you.” His expression alarmed me.

Sean had to shut the door behind us because Stewart was too agitated to notice it was still open.

“What’s wrong?” I tried to disengage his hand from my arm, but he gripped it more tightly.

“I’ve got to get out of here.” Stewart’s voice was hoarse. “I need a place to stay. You’ve got to help me.”