In the Still of the Night

you?“
    “Yes, but in more detail.“
    “And Mrs. Ethridge told you another version, I believe you said?“ Walker had taken over Mr. Prinney’s chair, presumably as the more authoritative position.
    “She claimed that Addie had forced herself on Mr. Ethridge. That he had no real interests in common with her, as he had with Lorna. That he’d broken off the engagement with Addie of his own accord, with advice from Lorna, with whom he was seriously, and mutually, in love. That was the gist of it, anyway.“
    “Is that story believable from what you know of your friend Miss Jonson?”
    Lily hated being asked this. “It could be,“ she said reluctantly. “She gets enormous enthusiasms and pursues them avidly.“
    “And you hadn’t heard the story before about Mrs. Ethridge’s relationship with Julian West?“
    “Addie doesn’t gossip about anybody. She only told me about her own troubles with Lorna Ethridge because we’re good friends,“ Lily said and started to leave the room. She turned and asked, “Have you had lunch? We probably have a lot of food left over. I could bring you a plate.“
    “Just bring me your famous guest,“ Walker said. “I presume you have a room I can have. I’m not leaving here until I know who killed this woman.“
    “Yes, plenty of rooms,“ Lily said, turning to leave.
    “And call the Governor’s home and tell them that you won’t be coming to visit tomorrow,“ Walker added.

Chapter 13

    Julian West had gone back to his room. Lily had, against all common sense, looked for him all over the ground floor and outside first, reluctant to beard the Great Man in his temporary den. Eventually she gave up and knocked at his door, which Bud Carpenter opened.
    “Yes, Miss Brewster?“
    “I need to speak to Mr. West.“
    “The Captain’s quite busy,“ Carpenter said, starting to close the door.
    Lily slipped her foot in the way. “I’m sure he is, but the police chief wishes to speak to him. And I’m afraid everyone must stay here and we’re canceling the meeting with Governor Roosevelt.“
    “How very disappointing,“ Bud said blandly.
    “It is, indeed.“ She stepped into the room. Suitcases were open on the bed and obviously being packed. Julian West had his shaving kit in hand and had just come from the hall to the bath and large dressing room Bud occupied.
    Lily gave her messages again. A little more briskly this time.
    “Why should the police chief have any interest in me?“ West demanded.
    “He’s interviewing everyone,“ Lily said and turned away.
    “Well, he’s not keeping me here,“ West said.
    “We’ll see about that,“ Lily muttered to herself as she went back to the library. It was where she always went when she needed comfort and calm. She stood on the small balcony where she could see the river below. Damn Lorna Pratt Ethridge for getting herself killed at Grace and Favor, she thought unreasonably.
    She heard the door to the library open and assumed it was Robert, which it was. And he had Jack Summer with him. Jack was the editor of the Voorburg-on-Hudson Times and one of the first people Lily and Robert had met when they arrived in Voorburg. He was about their own ages, mid-twenties, short and with a remarkable resemblance to James Cagney. He had the same crinkly hair, bantam rooster strut, swagger and energy of a tightly coiled spring. And with his recently increased salary he must have been attending the talkies in town and had decided to imitate the young star’s curt style. Lily hoped it was only a passing fancy.
    “What’s going on here?“ he said. “Howard Walker won’t tell me a thing.“
    “How did you know anything was going on?“ Lily asked. “Your blabby cousin?“
    “Ralph keeps me up on local events,“ Jack said. “So who died? And how?“
    “A guest. And she was murdered, Chief Walker says,“ Robert answered.
    “You still having your dinner tonight?“ Jack asked, without sounding the least shocked. “You said I could come and interview Julian West.”
    Lily was on the verge of chiding him for his selfish attitude, but she had her own selfish attitude going on that was equally indefensible.
    “Nobody’s allowed to leave,“ she said. “Dinner will be as planned. You’re still invited. Though I’m not sure Julian West will be willing to be interviewed after being grilled by Howard Walker.“
    “Sure he will. Celebrities love to talk about themselves,“ Jack said without any previous experience with