In Death 23 - Born in Death

do such a thing?” Winfield demanded.
    “I didn’t say he hanged himself.”
    “You said…” Winfield checked himself as he stroked his mother’s hand. “You said he was found hanged, I assumed…” He widened his eyes. “Are you telling us he was murdered ?”
    She had to give him credit for the fancy British play on the word. It made it sound as if Randall should have been wearing a smoking jacket while he choked to death.
    “I didn’t say that either. The matter is under investigation. And as the investigator I’ll ask you both where you were on Friday between the hours of six and ten P . M .”
    “This is insulting! How dare you question my mother in this manner.” His fingers linked with Madeline’s now, and her free hand moved to rest on his thigh. “Do you know who she is?”
    “Bullock, Madeline. Formerly Chase, born Madeline Catherine Forrester.” Their body language had something curling in her gut, but she kept her eyes steady. “And in case you don’t know who I am, it’sDallas, Lieutenant Eve. Until the cause of death is determined by the Medical Examiner, this matter is being treated as an unattended, suspicious death. Answer the question.”
    “Mother, I’m going to ring our solicitor.”
    “Go ahead,” Eve invited. “You’ll need one if you’re afraid to tell me your whereabouts on Friday.”
    “Calm down, Win. Calm down. This is all so upsetting. We were home all evening. Win and I discussed plans for our spring gala, a fund-raiser the foundation is hosting in April in Madrid. We dined about eight, I believe, then listened to music and played cards. I suppose we retired about eleven. Does that sound right to you, Win?”
    He looked down his nose at Eve. “We had lamb cutlets for dinner, preceded by a smoked tomato soup.”
    “Yummy. Have either of you ever been to Randall Sloan’s New York residence?”
    “Of course.” Madeline kept a firm hold on her son’s hand. “He often entertained.”
    “On this trip?”
    “No. As I explained before, we were looking for quiet evenings.”
    “Right. Do you do any driving in the city, Mr. Chase?”
    “In New York.” He gave her a look of mild distaste. “Why would I?”
    “Couldn’t say. Well, thanks for your time.” Eve got to her feet. “Oh, your accounts, as overseen by Sloan, Myers, and Kraus will be turned over to the U.S. and British tax authorities—and, I imagine, those same agencies in several other countries.”
    “That’s outrageous!” Winfield might have lunged forward, but his mother surged to her feet and kept the reins on him.
    “What’s the meaning of this?” she demanded.
    “There are a number of questions regarding those accounts. Me, I’m a murder cop. What do I know? I’m sure the proper agencies will find the answers.”
    “If there are any questions regarding the foundation accounts, they’ll be answered by Sloan, Myers, and Kraus. Robert Kraus…” Madeline paused, laid her free hand on her breast again. “But, no, you said it was Randall who, in actuality, kept the accounts for us. That alone is an outrageous breach of trust. Has he embezzled? Dear God, we trusted them, trusted him.”
    She leaned into Chase, and his arm draped around her shoulders. “Was he using us?” Madeline demanded. “Is that why he killed himself?”
    “That would be tidy, wouldn’t it? Thanks for your time.”
    And that, Eve thought, would give them plenty to think about.
    She was grinning darkly when she slid into the car.
    “I don’t believe we’ll be invited to the spring gala in Madrid,” Roarke commented.
    “Breaks my heart. You get a load of them? They’re like one of those Brit drawing room vids you like—the old-time ones? She thinks on her feet, I’ll give her that. She never figured we’d come knocking on the door, but she was ready for us when we did. He, on the other hand, needs direction, and a short leash. Got a temper, he does.”
    “He killed them.”
    “Bet your righteous ass he did. Question me, will you? Threaten me? Oh yeah, he did them all, then he came home and told Mommy all about it. Bet they’re pissed off to realize three murders haven’t covered up the accounts after all.”
    “They’ll push it onto Randall Sloan.”
    “They’ll try. I’ll let the Feds and Global worry about that end. Murder in the First, three counts. Conspiracy to commit, accessory before and after. I’m going to roll them up in a ball on this.”
    “I might ask how?”
    “He left his