“If it’s no trouble.”
“Not at all. Please, come this way.”
Tyler showed Peabody into the parlor, then escorted Eve toward the dining room.
“The family’s just finished breakfast. Divine urged Ms. Carville to eat. She told her the girls wouldn’t if she didn’t.”
“That did the trick?”
His lips curved slightly. “It did.”
The family sat together at one end of a dining room table that would have sat, comfortably, thirty. Though the day promised warm, a low fire simmered, surrounded by pink-grained white marble. A trio of chandeliers, their crystals winking with light, spanned the ceiling.
Both girls wore sweatpants, the older with a Harvard sweatshirt, the younger, a T-shirt where Mavis Freestone grinned. While Joy Barrister wore a business suit, the widow hit between her daughters and sister-in-law with black pants, black sweater.
And all looked at her with anticipation.
“I can’t give you much new information,” Eve began, “but I can assure you we’re working diligently on identifying the person responsible for Mr. Barrister’s death.”
“He’ll still be gone.”
Eve looked at the younger daughter. “Yes, he will. But your father deserves justice. You all deserve justice.”
“Please, sit down, Lieutenant.”
As Aileen spoke, Divine bustled in with coffee.
“Can I offer you some breakfast?”
“No, thanks. I would like to speak to everyone in the household. My partner is speaking to your day maid, but if I could speak to everyone else?”
“Ms. Acker is on her way down,” Tyler said. “I’ll take the detective her coffee, and come right back.”
“I’ll see to that.” Divine patted his arm before she started out.
“Lieutenant.” Joy took a long breath. “To say this is a difficult time doesn’t begin to cover it. We’ve had to screen our calls—even the girls. The media, they’re relentless.”
“We’ll conduct a media conference later today. I hope that will take some of the weight off that area.”
“You have to tell them Dad didn’t take those things.” Chloe gripped her hands together on the table. “You have to tell them he didn’t even know until…”
“As the primary in this investigation, I will tell them we have evidence Nathan Barrister was not responsible for the contents of the vault. And when he learned of them, began the process, along with his wife and sister, to expedite their return.”
“You believe us,” Aileen murmured.
“I believe you, but with your cooperation, EDD has searched your electronics, and in them found your considerable research on the contents—starting last July—your additional research on how best to facilitate their return, which corroborates your statements. I’ll be meeting with your estate lawyer as well, and trust he will further corroborate.”
“Thank you. I couldn’t stand for Nate’s reputation to be smeared by this.”
“I have to go in shortly.” Joy pressed her lips together, then lifted the back of her hand against them. “I have to speak to key staff, key accounts. The business has to… billions of people depend on Zip.”
“Understood. I’ll try not to keep you long.”
When Divine and Uma joined them, Eve looked back at Aileen. “Could everyone sit?”
“Oh yes, of course. I’m sorry. Please, everyone, sit down. I’d like to say something first. I want to say how much I, the girls, Joy appreciate and value everything you’ve done.”
“Ms. Carville—”
