Classified As Murder

I had no good answer to that. This incident was decidedly odd, but it might not have anything to do with James Delacorte’s death.

Dante pulling at his leash called me back from my woolgathering. “Okay, boy, we’ll get you back to Sean.” I resumed progress toward the small parlor, and as I reached it, Alexandra Pendergrast popped out of the door of the large parlor across the hall.

“Mr. Harris, could you join us for a moment?” She glanced down at the cat and dog. Diesel warbled for her, but she merely frowned. “Perhaps without the animals?”

“Give me a moment,” I said. “I’ll ask my son to watch them.” Not an animal lover, I supposed, or perhaps so rigidly proper that she couldn’t relax enough to let the animals be present during a business discussion.

I took the boys into the room to Sean, still playing with his phone. He nodded as I explained. “Progress of some kind, at least.” He shook his head. “I’m getting hungry, so whatever the decision is about the library, maybe we could find some lunch before doing anything else.”

“That sounds fine to me,” I said. “I’ll be back soon with the news.”

Diesel meowed hopefully at me as I headed for the door. I turned back for a moment. “Sorry, boy, you can’t come with me now, but it won’t be long.” He stared at me for a moment before turning his back to me.

I smiled as I shut the door behind me. That cat had as much personality as some people I knew.

What Alexandra thought of my smile as we crossed the foyer to the parlor I had no idea. Her brisk, businesslike manner remained intact as she opened the door and ushered me inside.

“Charlie, come on in and have a seat,” Pendergrast called out. He was seated near Kanesha on one of the sofas perpendicular to the fireplace. I took a spot on the other one, and Alexandra did also.

“Good news,” the lawyer said. “Deputy Berry here says you can resume working on the inventory.”

“That’s good,” I said.

Before I could speak further, Kanesha interrupted. “There is one condition, however. There will be an officer on duty in the library twenty-four hours a day until this case is solved.” She held up a hand as if she anticipated a protest. “This is a precaution because of the importance and value of the book collection. It’s not a reflection on you.”

“Thank you,” I said. “I didn’t think it was. I’m actually pleased to know that there will be an officer available while we work.”

“We?” Kanesha frowned, then her face cleared. “You mean your son, right? He’s going to be helping you.”

“Yes,” I said. “And we will also have the two animals with us.”

“As long as the job is done properly, it’s fine with me.” Kanesha stared at me. “There is an officer already posted at the door of the library. When you’re ready to resume work, he will unlock the room and remain inside with you.”

“Fine.” I rose. “I’ll have a quick look around, and then my son and are going home for a quick lunch, if you don’t mind.”

“That’s okay,” Kanesha said.

I hesitated for a moment. I felt I should tell her what I’d observed in the kitchen a few minutes ago, but I was uncomfortable telling her such things in front of the lawyers. I decided I would call her later.

“Do you need something else?” Pendergrast asked.

“No, I’m fine,” I said. “See you all later.”

Alexandra remained with her father and Kanesha, and I let myself out of the room.

I walked down the hall to the library and spotted Deputy Bates standing guard.

“Good morning, Deputy,” I said. “Deputy Berry didn’t mention that you were the officer on duty here.”

“Morning, Mr. Harris,” Bates replied with the ghost of a smile. “Let me unlock the door for you.”

The lights were already on when I stepped inside. I couldn’t help a quick glance at the desk to reassure myself there was no corpse present. I walked farther into the room and surveyed it.

The library seemed mostly undisturbed by the investigation. Mr. Delacorte’s desk wasn’t as tidy as it had been, and the books I had placed on the work table yesterday morning were all piled at one end now, instead of being spread out across the table. But overall there was less disarrangement than I expected.

I glanced toward the door and saw Deputy Bates watching me intently. I nodded and resumed checking the room. I looked at the desk again and realized that something didn’t seem quite right about it.

I moved closer and stared at it. What was it?

My gaze focused on the three bound volumes of the inventory.

Three?

There should be four.

TWENTY-TWO

Where was the fourth volume of the inventory?

I had been working with the first volume, and maybe I had left it on the work table. I walked over to check, thinking how foolish I’d feel for my momentary panic when I found the absent volume right there.

Except that it wasn’t there.

I went back to the desk and examined the three volumes lying atop it. There was a Roman numeral stamped in gold leaf near the base of the spine of each book. I saw I, II, and III, but no IV.

I got down on hands and knees and checked underneath the desk. No book.