Page 74 of Little Shattered Dreams

“Who had access to your bedroom?”

“Everyone. You go through my room to get to the bathroom. Seems like everyone used it at some point during the evening.”

“Did anyone cut out early or stay longer than the rest?” I asked.

He pondered the question. “Clara left first, and Karl a few minutes after. She seemed upset.”

“What was she doing before she left?”

“Talking to Karl.”

“About what?”

“I don’t know. They were outside on the deck. Abby walked out to join them, and Clara got angry and took off. Karl left a few minutes later.”

“Did either of them return?’ I asked.

“Karl did.”

“How much later?”

“I can’t remember. Wasn’t long, I don’t think. He seemed a little odd when he walked back in, now that I think about it. About an hour later, we all called it a night.”

“What time was that?”

“Around nine.”

“Seems a bit early, doesn’t it?” I asked.

“It’s my doing, I’m afraid,” Grace said. “I always want them to be refreshed for the arrival of the new guests, so I remind them to wrap things up earlier than later. I never specify a time or check up on them or anything. They respect me, and I respect them.”

Turning back to Calvin, I said, “When did you notice the gun was missing?”

“After everyone had gone. I sat there, trying to remember when I saw it last.”

“Which was when?” Foley asked.

“It was there on Saturday. Saw it when I opened the drawer for some sleeping pills. On Sunday night, I noticed it was gone. I’ve been over that evening many times, trying to remember who was coming and going, when and where. Thing is, I may have indulged in a few more drinks than usual. It’s all a bit fuzzy.”

“What you’re saying is, you don’t remember anything specific,” Foley said.

Calvin shook his head. “Sorry. Wish I did.”

“I assume you looked around for the gun outside your own home,” Foley said.

“Not as much as I should have, but I did search Clara’s place when she wasn’t home.”

“Why Clara?” I asked.

“I remembered a conversation we’d had weeks a while back. An old boyfriend was trying to get in touch with her, someone from the past, from the days when she was thieving. She didn’t trust the guy, and she worried he’d find out where she worked and show up here. I assured her I would keep an eye out, like I always do.”

“And what did she say?”

“She said she appreciated it, but she thought she’d feel even more safe if she had a weapon.”

“Did you tell her you had one?”

“Of course not. Still, I wondered if she’d seen it that night and decided to take it or borrow it.”

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