Page 46 of When You're Safe

Morgan, herlips curling into a sardonic smile, retorted, “A walk? At this hour? And with aclutch bag, no less? Were you hoping to stumble upon a midnight party?”

“Come to thinkof it,” Lloyd said, “I did think I heard someone talking outside for a momentearlier when I was reading, but I put it down to the wind.”

Elizabeth’sface turned crimson. “Enough of this, Morgan! It was just a walk to clear mymind.”

Frau Wolf’spatience had clearly reached its end. Stepping forward, her silver hair cascadingaround her stern face, she declared, “This is enough! The DeGrey family willnot be torn apart by wild insinuations!”

Winters,always the picture of calm, replied, “With all due respect, Fraulein Wolf, weare conducting an investigation. Ms. Elizabeth’s discrepancy in her statement warrantsclarity. I’d hate to have to ask her to come with us to the police station toexplore that discrepancy.”

Frau Wolf’sgaze was icy. She clearly wanted to avoid further scandal or embarrassment forthe family. “Elizabeth, if you have nothing to hide, answer their questions.”Turning to the rest of the family, she ordered, “Everyone else, out. Now.”

As they beganto exit, she fixed Winters and Finn with a withering stare. “Detectives, doyour jobs. We’re a grieving family. Stop this charade and find Nathaniel’skiller. Allow us to grieve!”

Pausing at thedoorway, she turned to Elizabeth, her tone softening for the first time. “Ifthey attempt any subterfuge, my dear, I will ensure you have the best solicitorby your side.” With those final words, Frau Wolf shut the door, leavingElizabeth, Finn, and Winters in the thick, tension-filled air of the room.

Elizabeth, caughtin the eye of the storm, looked chalk white. Finn and Winters exchanged aglance. Without a word, they took their seats at the massive mahogany table,the weight of its history pressing down on them. They waited, ready to unravelthe tangled thread of Elizabeth’s actions and uncover what secrets lay buriedbeneath.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

Finn felt it,a creeping cold in the large hall that was more than just the temperature. Headjusted his coat collar, silently cursing the castle’s lack of modern heating.

The grandeurof the dining room seemed to diminish as night stretched its shadowy fingersacross Castle DeGrey. The walls, adorned with tapestries and paintings, seemedto recede into darkness. The roaring hearth, now dying embers, failed toprovide much warmth against the chill that had settled over the room.

Across themassive table, Elizabeth sat, her posture straight, her face an unreadablemask. Yet, every so often, a flicker from the fading fire would catch her handmovement, her right thumb and forefinger rubbing against each other almostimperceptibly.

Winters leanedforward, her notebook open before her. “Elizabeth, why the discrepancy in yourstatement? Everyone else said they were in their rooms. You initially did too.”

Elizabeth’sgaze never wavered as she met Winters’s eyes. “I didn’t lie, Detective. Isimply… forgot. It’s been a very distressing day.”

A heavysilence followed, punctuated only by the soft ticking of an antique clocksomewhere in the castle. Finn studied Elizabeth. There was a calmness abouther, a cool confidence that was both compelling and suspicious. Yet, her thumband forefinger told a different story. One of tension, of nerves, of somethinglurking beneath the surface.

Breaking thesilence, Finn asked, “What were you doing outside? At such an odd hour? Andwith a clutch?”

Elizabethlooked from Finn to Winters and back again. “Sometimes the walls of this castlesuffocate me. I needed air. A chance to breathe, to think. I took my clutchbecause it had my handkerchief and some personal items.”

Winters raisedan eyebrow, her skepticism evident. “In the middle of a murder investigation, whenyou know there’s a killer targeting your family, you decide to take a midnightstroll? Can you understand why that seems… odd?”

Elizabeth’s lipsquivered ever so slightly, the only hint other than her jittery hand of theturmoil she might be feeling. “Inspector, when your whole world is collapsing,sometimes you just need a moment alone.”

Finn tappedhis fingers on the table, noting the continued movement of Elizabeth’s thumband forefinger. He leaned in. “Elizabeth, we understand it’s been a difficulttime, but if there’s anything you’re not telling us, now’s the time. It’s notjust about finding Nathaniel’s killer, but about ensuring everyone’s safety.”

Elizabeth’s gazesoftened, her defense momentarily slipping. “I’ve told you everything Iremember,” she said.

The dyingembers in the fireplace cast an ever-deepening gloom upon the room, but Winters’ssharp eyes missed nothing. She leaned back in her chair, observing Elizabethclosely. “Your makeup,” she began, drawing Finn’s attention to Elizabeth’s face,“why the patchy foundation near your ear? It’s unlike the rest of yourapplication.”

Elizabeth’shand shot up to touch the area Winters pointed out, her eyes widening inmomentary surprise. “I… I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she replied,though there was a hesitant quality to her voice.

Finn foundhimself impressed by Winters’s keen observational skills. In the dim light ofthe room, the subtle inconsistency in Elizabeth’s makeup could be easily overlooked.But not by Inspector Amelia Winters.

Winters continuedher line of questioning, her tone cool and analytical. “It looks as though youwere in a hurry, Elizabeth. Like you missed a spot when you were cleaning offyour makeup. Or maybe you were trying to cover something up?”

Elizabeth’scomposure faltered. She blinked rapidly, as though fighting back tears. “Ialways wear makeup, Inspector. Even at night. It’s a habit.”

Winters didn’tseem convinced. “And I’m sure you apply it perfectly every time,” she said, ahint of sarcasm evident in her voice. “So why the discrepancy tonight? Did somethinghappen?”

Elizabethhesitated, her fingers still rubbing against one another. Finn could see theweight of whatever secret she held pressing down on her. “I… I had an argumentearlier. With Nathaniel. We… had some harsh words, and he… he grabbed my face.”She took a deep breath, fighting for composure. “I rushed to my roomafterwards, trying to cover the red mark he left. I must’ve missed that spot.”

A heavy, palpablesilence settled on the room. Winters and Finn exchanged another glance. Analtercation with the victim on the night of his death was a significant pieceof information, one that Elizabeth had initially failed to mention.

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