Page 30 of One Last Goodbye

“Such as?”

“His wife, for example. Catherine doesn’t seem upset by his death at all. In fact, she seems happy. She has already taken a new lover, Hugo van Doren, and she is irritated that her children are grieving Frederick. Just this morning, I went to speak with her, and she was surprised when I asked about funeral arrangements.”

I wait, expecting him to exhibit some sort of shock or anger or appreciation. I am disappointed. He has an excellent poker face. “That is serious information,” he replies, “but it doesn’t necessarily mean she killed him.”

“No, but it’s worth looking into, don’t you think?”

He leans back and folds his arms, cocking his head to one side. “I spoke with Inspector Moreau of Interpol yesterday,” he says. “She seems certain his death was a suicide. She believes that Mr. Jensen was involved in some… shall we say,questionable business practices and that those practices placed a target on his back.”

“And that’s not evidence for murder?”

“If the death came in a different way, yes. But he left a note in his own handwriting and held the gun that took his life.”

“You’ve confirmed this?”

“Of course. His fingerprints were on the handle and trigger of the weapon, and there was a gunpowder burn that could only have been placed there if the barrel of the weapon was placed against his temple.”

My brow furrows. “But… He might not necessarily have been the one to fire. Were no one else’s prints found?”

“None that I’m aware of,” Dubois says. “But…” he stops and rubs his chin. “But it’s possible that the gun was placed in his hand. We found several prints that were smudged and unrecognizable. And Catherine’s behaviorhasbeen suspicious.”

“Yes!” I exclaim, excited to finally have someone listening. “And not just hers. Hugo van Doren wasted no time to jump into Catherine’s bed. And I’m pretty sure that Frederick’s paramour Veronica Baines is now sleeping with Thomas Keller, the estate manager.”

Dubois holds up a hand. “We should be careful not to jump to conclusions. It is very common for wealthy people to engage in sexual affairs. No doubt there are many more scandals that you are not even aware of. It is not necessarily a motive for murder.”

“I know,” I reply. “I’m only saying it’s too soon to rule out the possibility.”

Dubois rubs his chin again. “Yes. Yes, you’re right.” He leans back and folds his arms again. “How did you obtain this information?”

I scoff. “It’s not as though any of them have been hiding it.”

“Yet we didn’t notice.”

I choose to be polite. “Well, you’re not there every day the way I am.”

“That’s true.” He leans forward and uncrosses his arms, folding his hands on the table instead. “I must ask a favor of you, Mary. I need you to keep your eyes and ears open. If you learn anything else that you think might be relevant to the case, I would like you to come to me with that information as soon as possible. Do you have a cell phone?”

“I do.”

“Then I will give you my number.” He reaches into his desk and pulls out a business card. “Feel free to call or text at any time. And if you don’t mind, perhaps we leave Inspector Moreau out of the loop. She is trying to solve his financial crimes. I am concerned with the murder.”

He is absolutely concerned with taking credit over Moreau, but I don’t mind helping him if he helps me. “Of course.”

He nods. “Be careful, Mary. I’m not asking you to actively snoop or investigate yourself. I’m only asking you to keep your eyes and ears open. These are dangerous people. I don’t want you to put yourself at risk.”

“I understand. I’ll be careful.” I hope very much I’m not lying to him when I say that.

He holds my gaze a moment longer, then says. “What reason did you give Catherine for coming here?”

“To open an account with Swiss Bank.”

“Open one,” he instructs me. “And have your pay directed to that account. Set that up today and get receipts. You need to prove that you’re not lying.”

I nod. “I will. Thank you.”

I leave the office elated. Finally, we’re getting somewhere. Perhaps even more importantly, I’m not doing this alone. I have support from the police instead of dismissal or fear.

I don’t know yet who murdered Frederick Jensen, but whoever did, their days are numbered. Those children shall see justice for their father.

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