In the Still of the Night

next. Robert hung around the entryway, trying to eavesdrop while pretending to look for missing car keys, which only Lily knew Robert would never lose.
    “Couldn’t decipher a word,“ Robert reported to her.
    Raymond Cameron spent a very short time being interviewed and came out of the office looking utterly unconcerned. The same was true of Rachel.
    Cecil Hoornart looked worried when he was called in.
    “Professor Hoornart, I hear you’re missing something,“ Walker said.
    “I am. I’m sure now that my paperwork was stolen. I’ve been retracing every single step I took since I last saw the work.“
    “And what is it that’s missing?“
    “Three years’ worth of research and writing on my biography of Julian West.“
    “Was Mrs. Ethridge mentioned anywhere?”
    “No. The first I ever heard of her was when I arrived at Grace and Favor.“
    “Do you think the possible theft of this research has anything to do with her death?”
    Howard Walker had been a deputy for three years before he decided he wanted to study law. He’d attended a small law school upstate for barely a year when the financial crisis interfered with his education. But he knew from experience how important academic research was and how jealously a professional guarded it. And as Cecil Hoornart was a professional academic, he trusted his views.
    Cecil was surprised at the question. “I can’t imagine how.“ He thought for a long moment. “No, I don’t think so. Do you?”
    Howard Walker wasn’t used to being questioned. “Perhaps. Had you learned anything about Julian West that was scandalous in any way?”
    Cecil laughed. “You must read the more ‘popular’ biographies. Unfortunately, I haven’t. Though I think most people would be somewhat surprised that he studied for the ministry, as he mentioned last night. There is no suggestion of lingering spirituality in his books. Particularly in the latter ones, which are frankly a bit too far on the grim side for most people, though I respect the work.“
    “So you know nothing about him that he’d wish to have suppressed?”
    “Do you consider him your primary suspect?“ Cecil answered.
    “No, merely the most central. That is, he’s the one everybody came here to see and talk with.”
    Cecil nodded. “Yes, I see that. Everybody here is a fan of his to some extent. He was the central figure of the gathering. But does that mean anything?“
    “That’s what I need to find out. And I’m troubled by your work disappearing. I’ll have my deputy search the house and grounds. You’re certain you didn’t lose it yourself?“
    “Quite certain. I had it with me last evening when I interviewed him.“
    “You interviewed him?“
    “He agreed to give me information for the appendix—a list of dates, really. Where and when he was born, where he was educated, places he’d lived, his rank and dates of service in the army, publication dates of his books,“ Cecil said. “Nothing very interesting or new to me except for the study for the ministry.“
    “Could you re-create that information for me?”
    “I’m not sure. But I suppose if he told it to me once, he would tell me again.“
    “Perhaps later. I just need the basics. I’ve not read his books, which puts me at a disadvantage. I’ll have my deputy search if you wouldn’t mind trying to jot down what you can remember.”
    Cecil went to his room and Walker summoned Ralph. “Professor Hoornart is missing a manuscript and some notes of an interview. I think it may be relevant. Search first anywhere that paper may have been burned. If you don’t find anything, start looking in cabinets, drawers, under furniture—you know the drill, I hope.”
    Ralph was thrilled to get to participate in the investigation instead of merely guarding the door. “Yessir!”

    “Are they going to be able to leave on Sunday?“ Robert asked Lily.
    “I hope so,“ Lily said. She was thinking about money, as usual. If they had to feed all these people for an extra day or two, it would wipe out their meager profit.
    When Cecil had returned to his room, Robert took Lily aside in the ballroom, which was unoccupied and so large that they could be sure not to be overheard. “Hoornart’s researching West, isn’t he? For a biography?“ Robert asked his sister.
    “Yes.“
    “Does this mean Walker is focusing on West being the perpetrator?“
    “I have no idea,“ Lily said. “I’d guess from the yelling that West simply refused to give