Murder on Marble Row by Victoria Thompson Page A

exotic animals mounted in various poses of ferocity on every wall. Before he could take in more than that first impression, she closed the door behind them.
    â€œMalloy, Mr. Van Dyke’s oldest son is an anarchist,” she told him.
    Was that all? “I know. His wife told me. That’s what I have to see Miss Van Dyke about. Her stepmother said she’s the only one likely to know where to find him.”
    â€œYou aren’t going to arrest him, are you?” she asked in alarm.
    He bit back the sharp retort that sprang instantly to his lips. Getting into a shouting match with her here would be stupid. “I need to question him,” he said as calmly as he could.
    â€œHe wouldn’t have killed his own father!”
    â€œMaybe not, but his friends might have,” he countered.
    She couldn’t dispute that. “Alberta gave me his address. She wants me to warn him that the police are looking for him.”
    â€œWhat?” he cried, remembering at the last second not to shout.
    â€œBut that’s not all. I don’t know whether it has anything to do with the bomb or not, but . . . Alberta Van Dyke is with child.”

3
    F RANK WASN’T SURE HE’D HEARD HER CORRECTLY. “SHE’S what?”
    â€œShe’s going to have a baby. Which means she has a lover. But I mentioned that I thought I’d read she was engaged—to give her an opportunity to tell me about the man in her life—and she insisted she hadn’t even had a gentleman court her for years.”
    Frank was still confused. “How did she explain the baby then?”
    â€œShe didn’t. I didn’t tell her I knew.”
    â€œIf you didn’t talk about it, how do you know there’s a baby?”
    â€œBecause she’s been ill, and I asked her questions, and I saw her . . . her body, and I know. I’ve seen enough women in that condition before. She has all the signs.”
    Frank scratched his head in bewilderment. “All right, even if it’s true, what does this have to do with her father’s murder?”
    She rolled her eyes, silently telling him she thought he must be a dunderhead. “Alberta is my age, more than old enough to be considered definitely a spinster,” she explained patiently. “She said herself she hasn’t had a suitor in a very long time. That means there’s some mystery about who fathered her child.”
    â€œYou think she might have been forced?” Frank asked, growing more disturbed by the minute.
    â€œIt’s possible, but she doesn’t act as if she’s experienced that kind of an outrage. I’ve seen enough who have to know how they react.”
    â€œCould the father be . . . someone in her family?” he asked reluctantly. They both knew that happened far more often than anyone wanted to believe.
    â€œDear heaven, I hope not. It seems unlikely because of her age, though.”
    â€œIf she wasn’t forced and it’s not a member of her family, then she must have a lover,” Frank pointed out.
    â€œAnd since she denied having any suitors, we have to conclude that it’s someone her family wouldn’t have considered acceptable enough to call on her.”
    â€œA servant?” Frank guessed.
    â€œEntirely possible,” she agreed. “But whoever it is, if her father wouldn’t allow her to marry him, and then she discovered she’s with child . . .”
    â€œAlberta and her lover might have decided to kill him so they could be together,” Frank finished. “Of course, this might have nothing at all to do with who killed Van Dyke,” he reminded her. “Blowing your own father to kingdom come is an ugly thing to do, no matter what your reason.”
    â€œYes, but we don’t know who the lover is. He might be an anarchist, too. If Creighton knows some, Alberta might, too. But even if Alberta and her lover aren’t involved at all, we can use