“Frannie?” Theo asked. He barked out a laugh. “Frannie Allred?”
Grace scowled at him. “I told you you’d say it was silly.”
“Well, to be fair, you’ve never much liked her.”
“With good reason!”
“That doesn’t make her a killer.”
“Envy is a powerful drug,” Grace said. She ignored Theo and wrote down:
4.Frannie Allred
“Anyone else?” Theo asked, finishing his drink.
“I suppose we should clear ourselves,” she said. She cocked an eyebrow. “Where were you?”
He looked vaguely amused, wiping his mouth, and cocked one back. “I was speaking with my godfather. My father wanted to make sure I was integrating well into St. Louis society, since I insisted upon coming here against his wishes.”
“Your father wanted you to stay in Chicago?” Grace asked.
“He wishes I were more interested in carrying on the family name there, yes. But my mother was from St. Louis, and I’d rather do something more useful with my time than be a gentleman.”
“Window washer?” she asked. “High-rise construction worker?”
“Your mockery is so charming. If you must know, I’d rather be a lawyer.”
“And who is your godfather?” Grace asked.
“Thomas Squire.”
“The robber baron?” Grace asked.
“I don’t think he prefers that term,” Theodore said, delicately folding his napkin and placing it on the table. “He is known for banking and steel, yes. And you?”
“I was with Lillie,” Grace said. “We can vouch for each other.”
Grace racked her brain, visualizing the other guests at the party. She saw Lillie stiffen at the sound of the scream. Harriet’s body, seizing, the froth at her mouth. Earnest, rushing to her side.
“What happened?” he had asked.
Aunt Clove, looking stricken.
Grace froze. What had Aunt Clove told Oliver bitterly only a few nights ago?You’ll marry Harriet Forbes over my dead body.
Grace hid a shudder.
Aunt Clove was driven and could be heartless. But surely she would never resort to murder. Would she?
Grace set her pen down.
“I think that’s good enough for now,” she said.
“So where does this leave us?” Theo asked. “Do we bring this list to the police?”
Grace eyed the uneaten pickle on Theo’s plate. He placed it on her plate without comment. “I already tried to tell them some of this, but it seems they need something more substantial to take me seriously,” she said. “Do you have any connections in the police department?”
“No. But perhaps my father or godfather does.”
