“May I ask how long ago this was?”
“Yves was killed many years after our affair ended. He died about seven years ago.”
“And may I ask when you stopped seeing Yves?”
“Long before his murder. Years.” She gave Gage’s hand a final squeeze. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to be alone now.”
“Absolutely. But there’s one last thing—would you mind telling me about the staff who have access to the estate? I’ve seen a few people walking around.”
“Indeed. There are usually two people in the cookhouse. They get there very early in the morning and will be there until six or seven at night, when they’re done with cleanup. We run two shifts. Additionally, a grounds crew comes twice a week. If it snows, they get here as soon as they can to shovel the sidewalks and porches. Finally, there’s Thomas, the estate caretaker. His shop is behind the manor, next to the stable. He’s quite helpful. If he’s unable to take care of whatever you need, he usually arranges for outside assistance…plumbers, electricians, and the like.”
Gage tapped on the wall. “I hope you don’t mind, but I need to begin taking precautions. A few changes with the locks, alarms, stuff like that.”
“Call Thomas. He’s a fine man. Just lift a phone and dial the number two. If you need me, dial one, dear,” she said. “Tomorrow, you must prepare to indulge me with talk of the diaries. We don’t have to discuss any part that’s too painful.”
“Okay, Claudia. I can do that. A few more questions…”
“Yes?”
“I was wandering around all day. I never saw you leave, and I didn’t see any attorneys present. So, how did you manage to accomplish all those legalities you mentioned?”
She smiled. “You think I was bluffing.”
“It crossed my mind.”
Her smile dissolved. “I wasn’t bluffing, Gage. I took care of everything before I left for the U.S., at the same time I learned of your whereabouts. If I die, everything I own will be left to several charitable organizations. It’s the one decision I’ve made that has given me peace.”
Gage didn’t want to press, but couldn’t help himself. “But you mentioned the time of one in the afternoon? I didn’t see you sign any papers.”
“That’s when the papers were filed. I simply called my attorneys and told them to file the papers I’ve already signed.” She seemed content with her decision. “We now have witnesses and notarized papers. Everything has been set in motion.”
“One more.”
“Out with it.”
“Katja was correct. If one of them did do it, why would they confess?”
“That’s their problem, isn’t it?”
Claudia retired for the afternoon with the promise of their meeting the following day.
* * *
Dusk settled in around 4:45 P.M. Although Gage had attempted to mentally prepare for such early darkness, it still took him by surprise. Over time, he’d get used to it, but it was a bit depressing on this, his first day. And it would only get worse leading up to the winter solstice. Because of his six-month stipulation, he wouldn’t be around next summer for the payoff—when the sun wouldn’t stubbornly disappear until nearly 11 P.M. Those achingly long summer days were one of the best features of living in Germany.
When Thomas arrived at the manor just past 5 P.M., Gage ushered him in before he could ring the doorbell. “I’m Gage, Claudia’s friend.”
“Oh, yessir, I know. She called and told me all about you.”
Thomas was approximately 60 years old. He was lean and weather-beaten, wearing a heavy worker’s coat, thick dungarees and boots. Before he came into the manor, he slipped powder blue shoe covers over his boots. Thomas had a hatchet face and intelligent, light brown eyes. He smelled of wood smoke and a splash of spicy aftershave. Gage liked him immediately.
“Come on in and let’s chat,” Gage said. Without going into too much detail, he informed Thomas that he’d be staying there for the foreseeable future in a modified security role. “And, Thomas, I don’t want to offend you, but I’d like to secure the manor in such a way that no one can enter without my knowledge—even estate employees.”
“It’s already been done.”
“How’s that?”
“Come with me.” Thomas led Gage into the basement where he showed him a sizeable alarm panel in the room that housed Claudia’s computer server and other electronic equipment. The alarm panel looked new. When opened, Gage saw a rather large instruction booklet in a sleeve on the inside of the panel cover.
“I had this installed during Claudia’s trip. Believe you me, it was expensive.” Thomas removed the manual and unfolded a three-page receipt, holding his finger on the total near the bottom of the last page.
Gage nodded his agreement.
Thomas tapped the manual. “The instructions are all in this booklet. You download the application to your phone, and you can monitor the entire manor, inside and out. You can even unlock a few doors remotely.” Thomas pointed upward. “There are motion detectors and cameras throughout the manor. Once you learn how to work this system, this building will be as secure as the Deutsche Bundesbank in Frankfurt—our version of Fort Knox.”
“This covers windows, outer doors, basement?”
“Everything, Gage. Attic, inside doors, even certain cabinets. The only part of the house that’s not available is Missus Claudia’s room, for obvious reasons. But that can be secured better than any of the other rooms. She has four front-facing windows that I had replaced while she was on her trip. They’re blast resistant and bulletproof, custom made. You can’t even tell they’re different until you really scrutinize them.” Thomas tapped the instruction booklet. “The alarm company will send out a representative if you want to learn more.”
Gage was eager to dig into the security system, but something else was nagging at him. Claudia had been adamant that she was the
