Page 16 of Backwater Justice

“Is there any way you can find out?”

“Sure. But?” He stopped, remembering something the cardiologist had said. Then he nodded. He understood where Annie was going with this. He pulled his phone from his pocket and called the housekeeper. “Ruby? Did you clean up Dad’s study the other night?”

Ruby hesitated. “Uh, not yet. I’m sorry. With everything happening the way it did . . .”

Benjamin interrupted her. “No problem, Ruby. It’s okay. Please do not touch anything in the room, and lock the door until I get there.”

Ruby answered immediately. “Of course, Benjamin. I’ll do it right now.”

Benjamin looked at Annie. “Want to go for a ride?”

“What kind of car do you have?” Annie grinned.

“A Lexus SUV.”

“Bummer,” Annie teased. “I was hoping for something sportier.”

Benjamin laughed for the first time in two days. “I’ll let them know we’ll be back in a half hour.”

Annie pulled on his arm. “No. Wait. We need a cover story.”

“A what?” Benjamin smirked.

“Shush. I’ll handle this.” Annie stuck her head inside the doorway. “Benjamin and I have to run an errand. We’ll be back shortly. You guys visit.” Before anyone could say anything, Annie was scampering down the hall with Ben in tow.

When they got into the elevator, Benjamin looked at her. “What is going on?”

“We need to get our hands on that glass.”

Benjamin nodded. Why hadn’t he thought of that? Maybe it was because the idea of someone wanting to poison his father was the furthest thing from his mind. When the cardiologist had told him something didn’t add up, he’d thought maybe his father had eaten or drunk something that had brought on the heart attack. Food poisoning, maybe.

It was a short drive to the Spangler mansion. When they arrived, there were several barking dogs inside. A woman opened the door. “Hi, Ruby. This is Annie De Silva. A friend of Pop’s.”

Annie hurriedly said, “Nice to meet you, Ruby,” and followed Benjamin to the locked study, with Ruby following quickly behind her. She handed Benjamin the key. Her hands were trembling. She was still shaky from the events two nights before.

“Thanks. You’re a peach.” He smiled at her.

Annie and Benjamin looked around the room. A Baccarat crystal tumbler lay on the rug next to one of the upholstered leather barrel chairs. It must have slipped out of Milton’s hand, and no one took notice of it during the commotion. Annie turned to Benjamin. “Do you have a clean handkerchief?”

He reached into his jacket pocket and handed one to her. Annie gingerly picked up the glass at the bottom. There was little liquid left. Most had spilled. She looked at Benjamin, then at the spot on the rug. He let out a deep sigh. “Mother is going to kill me.” He then proceeded to open his Swiss Army knife and make a four-by-four-inch cut in the rug.

“It’s tiny enough,” Annie said, as she pushed the barrel chair over a couple of inches to cover the hole. “See? All better.”

Benjamin smirked. “You are as funny as Dad said.”

Annie took a bow. “I met him on a few occasions. Lovely man. And we are going to get to the bottom of this.” She wrapped the four-inch square piece of hand-knotted Serapi wool in her scarf. “No reason to upset Ruby.” She winked. Now they had to find a lab that could test both for toxic substances. And fingerprints. Time to alert Charles and Fergus, but not until she had a little more privacy. She didn’t know how far this would go and didn’t want to entangle Benjamin at that particular moment.

“Listen. I know all of this seems a little bizarre, but you’re going to have to trust me. Okay?” Annie looked into Benjamin’s eyes.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, do I?” It was a half-question.

“Correct. Leave this part of the mystery to me. And Myra.”

“Are you junior detectives?” Benjamin asked wryly.

“No. Not junior.” Another wink, and she placed the items in her tote bag. “Come on. They’ll be wondering what we’re up to.”

“Yeah. So am I.” Benjamin grinned. He was fine with his father’s friends playing out an Agatha Christie story. He had a business to run and a duty to look after the rest of the family. When they got back into his car, he turned to Annie. “I’m glad you and Myra are here. You add a bit of chaos, and it’s good to have some distractions, especially for Dad.”

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