“And because we do know you’re going through a lot, we won’t take up much of your time,” Frank said.
“Oh, that’s quite alright,” Anna said. “I’m glad to help. I would like to see who was responsible for this in prison. I have to say, though—I’m told that you already have a man in custody, right?”
“There was an initial arrest, yes,” Ava said. “But there isn’t sufficient evidence against him.”
“I see. Well, we’d like to see the right man captured and punished for taking Monty from us.” She fought with tears for a moment but, blinking rapidly and looking up to the ceiling, she managed to keep control of herself.
“I suppose the first question,” Ava asked, “is how much you knew about Mr. Lincoln’s business. The people he worked with, the recent purchases he’d made, and so forth.”
“I’m ashamed to say I know very little,” Anna said. She nodded to the entryway of the den, where Samuel was still standing. “Samuel knows more than I would.”
“Did he ever mention people that he came into contact with throughout his day?” Frank asked. “Especially as of late, as he started venturing into Harlem?”
“Oh, no,” Anna said. A slight look of disgust crossed her face as she shook her head. “When Monty told me he was planning on purchasing buildings out there in that decrepit and sinful neighborhood, I told him I didn’t want to hear about it. And he seemed happy enough to stay quiet on it.”
Oh, I bet he was, Ava said, thinking of Harriet.
“But you do know his plan, correct?” Frank asked. “You knew why he was purchasing property out there, right?”
“Oh, certainly I do. He was very passionate about it. Trying to straighten things out in this city, trying to make sure white businesses remained thriving and relevant.”
She said it with such pride and conviction that it was hard for Ava not to say something. But as she digested this, something struck her as odd. She was speaking about her husband as if he were some great, moral hero. Ava wasn’t picking up any angst at all. Maybe she hadn’t known about his affair with Harriet or any others that he might have had. Or maybe she did and she was just very good at keeping up appearances.
“How about you, Marcus?” Frank asked. “Did you and your father ever discuss his businesses?”
“Sometimes,” he said. “He wanted me to take things over when he got too old to handle it, but he never forced me too, you know? He did let me know he was going to start buying up buildings in Harlem and then pricing out the…well, the current residents.” He smiled slyly as he said this. It was the first real emotion he’d showed since he’d come into the room. “I was against it at first because I can’t imagine dealing with their kind. But with what my father was trying to do, Harlem would be a white-dominant neighborhood within a few years and I wouldn’t have to deal with all of that.”
Ava saw that even Frank was starting to get uncomfortable with the way the Lincolns were speaking. And as an awkward silence came over the room, the same black woman came back in. She was carrying a small tray with a kettle and a cup on it. She set it on the coffee table in front of Anna, saying nothing. Ava watched the reactions of Anna and Marcus Lincoln as their colored household staff intruded upon their space. She noted that even though the woman was serving Anna, both Anna and Marcus seemed almost indignant toward her. She even saw the corner of Marcus’s mouth decline slightly in a sneer.
Ava waited until the servant was gone before she continued on with her questions. And now, with Marcus still looking in the direction the servant had headed with that same wretched look on his face, Ava redirected the course of her questions.
“I wasn’t aware you had hired household staff,” Ava said. “Has their presence helped take away some of the burden these last few days?”
“A bit, yes,” Anna said.
“Did Mr. Lincoln ever have much contact with them?”
The question seemed to take both mother and son by surprise. Anna looked as if she simply didn’t even understand the question, whereas Marcus looked like he might throw up at any given moment. He also looked at Ava as if he wanted to come across the room and slap her.
“I don’t believe so,” Anna said. “Of course, they spoke to him cordially when he was home, but that’s about all.”
“And how many staff do you have?” Ava asked.
“Two,” Marcus said, quickly and with a bit of force. “But with all due respect, what do our hired hands have to do with my father’s murder?”
“Marcus! These people are only trying to help! They know what they’re doing.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Lincoln. Would you allow me to speak with them?”
“Well, there is only one here today. You’ve seen her, of course. You’re welcome to speak with her, but I don’t know how much good it will do.”
“Mother,” Marcus said, “this is a waste of t—”
“Hush now, Marcus.”
He did as his mother asked while she got up to get the woman, but he looked furious about it. He glared at Ava and Frank, making Ava reconsider which member of the house they might truly need to consider. When Anna came back into the room with the servant, Ava noted that Marcus got incredibly uncomfortable. For a moment, it seemed he might get to his feet and exit the room. But in the end, he stayed where he was. The maid stood just inside the room, not too far away from Samuel. She looked around the room, her eyes taking it all in. It was quite clear that she wasn’t sure if she should be scared or not.
“Eve, these detectives want to ask you some questions,” Anna said. “You answer them honestly now, you hear me?”