Pressing a hand to her face, Joy stopped pacing. “I don’t mean to disparage you, it’s just… We need answers. And—and we need to make a statement. Soon. The media—it won’t stay contained much longer.”
“We’re going to ask for privacy.” Chloe spoke up and shifted yet closer to her mother. “We’re going to keep it brief.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I’m struggling with this. I want to do what’s best for everyone.”
“Lieutenant, can I get you a chair?”
Eve shook her head at Tyler. “No, this one’s fine.”
She took one of the oversized chairs angled between the sofa and the screen as Roarke did the same. Today, she thought, she could give the widow a little space.
“Ms. Carville.”
Aileen looked up. “He doesn’t belong in that place. Nate doesn’t belong there. It’s so cold.”
“It won’t be for long. Ms. Carville, we’re arranging to have the contents of the vault transported to a secure location.”
“All right. We don’t care. We don’t care about those things. Without those things, Nate would still be here.” Her voice rose. “I don’t want those things in our house.”
“Mom.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, baby.” She pressed her lips together as Anya rushed over, all but threw herself into her mother’s arms. “We’ll be all right.” She kissed Anya’s hair. “I need to find my strength. It just keeps slipping away.”
“I’ll be strong for you.” Chloe looked directly at Eve. “We need some answers.”
“While the investigation is in its early stages, there is movement. The NYPSD is coordinating with Interpol.”
“Interpol.” Joy dropped down on the end of the sofa.
“Many of the items in the vault were stolen from museums and private collections throughout Europe. It’s possible whoever broke in here last night has a connection to one or more of those previous thefts.”
“My grandfather stole those things—paid to have them stolen.”
“Oh, Chloe.” Anya pressed her face to her mother’s shoulder.
“We can’t pretend, Anya. We have to face it.”
“People will think Dad helped.”
“They won’t. They won’t because we won’t let them. Because he didn’t.” Once again, Chloe looked at Eve. “He didn’t and he wouldn’t.”
“There’s no evidence that your father conspired in those original thefts. And all indications are that he learned of the existence of the vault and its contents after his own father’s death.
“Mr. Tyler, where is Ms. Acker?”
“Seeing to some household tasks. Do you want her?”
“It would be helpful, yes.”
As Tyler took out his ’link, Divine carried over a tray.
“Now, you’ll have some tea, and some of these little sandwiches. You need your strength. You won’t find it, missus, if you don’t eat. Your girls need to eat.”
She looked at Eve, smiled at Roarke, then back to Eve. “You both help yourself here. You look tired to the bone, Lieutenant.”
“I’m fine. Ms. Carville, I know this is very difficult, but details can be missed. I’d like to go over exactly what you remember from last night. Your husband wasn’t feeling well.”
“He wasn’t. He came home early.”
