Page 59 of Last Seen Alive
“Oh.” One syllable, and with it a wave of disapproval washed over her face, tightening her features. “What is it I can help you with then?”
“Well, we are here about your husband’s murder, but we have some specific questions relating to the robbery itself.”
“This way.” Mona took them to a grand sitting room with artwork painted on the ceiling that had Amanda thinking of the Sistine Chapel. Just fewer angels and demons, and more butterflies and flowers. “Ingrid,” Mona called out, and shortly after, the woman who had answered the door appeared. “Tea. Sugar, milk… cream?” She looked at Amanda and Trent and didn’t bother waiting for a response. “Yes. Cream.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Ingrid shuffled off.
Mona lowered herself into a wingback chair with the grace and elegance befitting royalty. “Proceed.”
Amanda and Trent each dropped into a chair.
Amanda spoke. “We believe your husband’s murder may be connected to a man and woman who worked together on several heists in Prince William County, as well as Washington.”Severalmight be a stretch as there was only one robbery that had surveillance footage. But as Trent had mentioned their targets and desired acquisitions set them apart from regular, everyday robberies.
“That’s nothing I’ve heard before.”
“Did you hear, then, there was a woman described as getting close to her male victims, working her looks and charm to her advantage?”
“Also news to me.” Mona looked at the doorway, pursed her lips and shifted in her chair.
“Were you aware of any women new to your husband’s life? Say working in his office?” Amanda wasn’t jumping to any immoral conclusions about Martin’s character. And Trent did tell her the investigating detectives at the time spoke to those at the firm, inquiring about new hires, etcetera, but no one flagged their continued interest.
“Not that I know of, but the business was his. I never got involved in the day to day or concerned myself with it.” Mona primly crossed her legs. “Work brought him pleasure, and I encourage pleasure.”
A quick look around this place would support that claim. She had an obvious desire to be surrounded by luxury. “Is that why you thought nothing of him returning to his building the night of the murder?”
“Martin was a busy man, but I knew that when I married him. Much better to have a man with ambition than one that sits around like a lump.” Mona leveled her gaze at Amanda, her gray eyes inquiring if Amanda agreed or had something to say on the subject.
“So it didn’t bother you at all when he excused himself that evening?” Trent asked.
“No reason that it should.”
“Do you know what business he had to attend to at midnight?” Amanda asked.
“As I said, his business was his own and he was ambitious. He was a very proud man. Thought of himself as a young buck still, but those years had long passed for him.”
It was with those words that Amanda noted the age difference that would have existed between the couple. Martin was fifty-six fifteen years ago, and Mona was about that now. “So when Martin returned to work, you stayed at the charity event?”
“Yes.” Spoken slowly and with irritation.
“You said you don’t know why he went to work, but records don’t show anyone called him. I’m curious what had him running off at that hour.” It would seem Amanda was more curious than the man’s wife had been.
Mona blinked slowly. “I don’t know why or if someone got him to leave, but you probably saw from the investigation file I was cleared of his murder.” Mona leveled a cool glance at Amanda. “And, seriously, why would I have killed—” Mona stopped talking as Ingrid entered the room with a silver tray with a silver teapot, silver spoons, and fine china teacups. It was surprising they weren’t silver too.
After Ingrid made up a cup for Mona, Trent and Amanda respectfully declined. Ingrid left the room, and Mona resumed talking.
“Now, you mentioned you had questions about the robbery itself.” She lifted her teacup to her lips, her pinkie finger curled.
“We understand that among the pieces stolen there was a Fabergé egg,” she began.
“Yes.” Mona laid a hand on her chest. “It was Martin’s pride and joy.”
“I can imagine so. How did Martin come to have it in his collection?” She was hoping to gain some insight into how this world worked.
“He was very much about watching auctions, estate sales. Call it a hobby for him. He also had a collector who worked for him and sourced out good pieces for investment.”
“Who was that?” Trent asked.
“I don’t remember after all this time. Sorry.”
