“We’re going to pack up, Miss Melville, if that’s okay with you?” Max DeNucci said.
“You’ve been incredible,” Nelly answered. “I’ll be sending you a large bonus to show my appreciation.”
“Thanks.” DeNucci shook his head. “This sure hasn’t been anything like our typical catering gig.”
Nelly smiled and shook hands with each caterer before they disappeared into the kitchen to gather their equipment.
“Are you planning on following your dad’s wishes and financing our film?” Corey Rockwell asked Nelly.
Robin could not believe how inappropriate the question was. Then she remembered who was asking it.
“I think that project died with my father, Mr. Rockwell. I’m sorry that you’ve been inconvenienced.”
“Why don’t you take a look at the deal later, when you have some time. Mr. Melville seemed pretty excited about it.”
“I’ll do that,” Nelly said in a way that let Robin know that the project was dead.
“When can I leave?” Rockwell asked Sergeant Pine.
“When you’ve given your statement.”
“My flight doesn’t leave until late tomorrow. Looks like I’ll have to stay one more night, if that’s okay?”
“Of course,” Nelly said.
“I’m going to leave some of my men here, in case we’re wrong about Zelko,” Pine told Nelly while Rockwell was leaving the dining hall.
“Thank you.”
As soon as Pine left to organize the protection detail, Nelly turned to Robin.
“Will you and Mr. Breland come up to my father’s office? I’d like to talk to you about something my father planned to bring up.”
When they got to the second-floor landing, Nelly spotted Luther in the hall with the servants’ quarters.
“Where have you been?” Nelly asked. “We searched the house again, and we could have used you on one of the teams.”
“I went outside and searched the grounds and the woods. I didn’t know that others were searching inside.”
“Very well,” Nelly said and continued up the stairs.
When Nelly was seated behind her father’s desk and Ken and Robin were seated across from her, she opened a drawer and pulled out a thick file.
“My father invited you two to Black Oaks to celebrate Jose’s release from prison. But Sheila just told me that he had another reason. This is a file he compiled on the murder of Claire Winters, Corey Rockwell’s wife. Dad was convinced that Rockwell killed her, and he was going to hire you to try and break his alibi in order to free the man who was sent to prison for Winters’s murder. I’d like to hire you to fulfill Dad’s wishes. Will you accept the case?”
“Sheila already told me that your father suspected that Rockwell killed his wife, so I know something about the case,” Robin said. “I’d like to read the file before I give you an answer.”
“Of course. Take it back to Portland. Let me know when you’ve decided.”
Nelly stood. “You must be exhausted. I’ll have Mrs. Raskin prepare a light dinner in an hour or so, and I’ll let you know when it’s ready.”
Robin took the file and walked along the corridor to her room.
“Are you interested in taking the case?” Robin asked Ken. “You’d be the one doing the investigation.”
“Let me see the file and I’ll let you know.”
Robin handed Ken the file. She thought Rockwell was obnoxious, but was he a killer? She had faith that Ken would be able to answer that question.