“But who would want her dead?” Grace asked.
“I don’t have any idea.”
They circled the block.
“Oliver, I want to stay to help you, but—” Her throat closed with the embarrassment of it all. She gestured to the carpetbag in her hands. “I’ve imposed on your generosity long enough.”
“Don’t go,” he said. “Not now. I need you here. Your presence is worth more than a hundred days of hotels. I’ll pay for the rest of your stay tonight. Don’t worry, I’ll build you a whole new one if it comes to that.”
They looked up at the sound of a door slamming.
A group of black carriages were parked around the Carters’ front stoop.
“Reporters,” Oliver growled. “I’ll give them a piece of my—”
He wiped his face and began to stride toward them, but stopped suddenly. As if realizing that they weren’t reporters.
The man in front rang the bell.
He was wearing a police uniform.
Aunt Clove intercepted him before Oliver could.
“What is this?” she asked, frowning, standing in the frame of the front door. “Chief Harris? What are you doing here?”
The police chief sighed. He was a large man with pocked cheeks. “It’s probably better if we do this inside, Clove.”
Her voice rose in panic. “Reginald!” she yelled.
Grace could hear Lulu barking inside.
“Have you come for me?” Oliver asked.
The policemen turned around.
Oliver stood his ground bravely as they surrounded him on the sidewalk.
A neighbor opened their door, then abruptly shut it.
“Oliver Carter, you are under arrest for suspicion of murder in the death of Harriet Forbes.”
Lillie dashed out of the house, wearing a hastily thrown on house jacket. She gasped as the handcuffs closed around Oliver’s wrists, her hand covering her mouth.
The neighbors were starting to gather.
Lillie pleaded as they led Oliver toward the police carriages, trying to tell them, “He didn’t do this. He would never do this.”
“Well, right now it appears that he had some involvement,” Chief Harris said. “And unless other evidence comes to light, the circumstances point to him.”
Other evidence, Grace thought.
“Don’t say anything at all,” Uncle Reginald barked at Oliver, appearing on the sidewalk. “You’ll be hearing from our lawyers.”
“Surely that actress’s death was an accident, she must have taken something herself,” Aunt Clove was begging. “Chief Harris! You and your wife have dined in our home. How could you humiliate us like this?”
The chief sighed. He gestured the other officers to put Oliver in the carriage.
“I’m afraid not, Mrs. Carter,” he said quietly. “Your son lied about having a secret romantic relationship with Miss Forbes that was going south. They had an argument, witnessed by many people, just before she died. The preliminary medical examination indicates that Harriet Forbes was poisoned.”
