Reed, Briggs firm. They’re both members of the Westmont. From what I’ve been told, they were horrified when Mrs. Dowd married Chesterfield. Chesterfield has caused a rift between Mrs. Dowd and her children, and her resignation from the Westmont has isolated her from many of her friends.”
“Can you get us a list of people who might help us in our investigation?” Quinlan asked.
“I’ll have it to you by tomorrow.”
“Thank you. Can you think of anyone else who might have a grudge against you or Mrs. Randall?”
Before he could answer, the door opened and Landon Crawford walked in.
“My God, Sam, I just heard.”
“Who are you, sir?” Dillon asked.
“It’s okay, Roger. I know the judge,” Quinlan said.
Before his appointment to the federal bench, Crawford had been a trial judge on the Multnomah County Circuit Court. Crawford took a hard look at Quinlan. “You’re a detective, Quinlan, right? You testified in a few of my cases.”
“That’s right, Judge. What are you doing here?”
“He’s the chair of the Westmont board,” Ragland said.
“I just learned that Sophie Randall is dead,” Crawford said. “What happened?”
“She was poisoned, Landon,” Moser answered.
“Poisoned? How could that happen?”
“We just started our investigation,” Quinlan said. “We have an idea about what happened, but I don’t like speculating.”
“Quite right,” Crawford agreed. Then he looked at Moser. “Are you okay?”
“Not really,” Moser answered as a tear welled up.
“I can see how upsetting this has been for you,” Quinlan said. “Do you have any more questions, Pete, Roger?”
“Not right now,” the deputy DA said. Roger shook his head.
Quinlan handed Moser his card. “Why don’t you go home. If you think of anything that might help us, please call.”
Moser nodded and stood up to go. Crawford started to follow him.
“Can you wait a moment?” Quinlan said. “I have a few questions for you.”
“Certainly. Do you want me to drive you home?” the judge asked Moser.
“Thanks, but I’m okay.”
“How can I help?” Crawford asked as soon as the door closed behind Moser.
“From what we know, someone sent a box of poisoned chocolates to Mr. Moser. He’s on a diet so he gave the candy to Mrs. Randall, who ate some and died.”
“My God. Do you have any idea who sent them?”
“No. Do you? Can you think of someone with a grudge against Mr. Moser or Mrs. Randall?”
The judge went quiet and the detectives let him think. After a few minutes, Crawford’s brow furrowed and they could tell he’d thought of something.
“One person does come to mind.”
“Who’s that?” Quinlan asked.
“There’s a man named Robert Chesterfield, an ex-member who resigned under pressure. He’d been cheating at cards, accosting the female staff. It was pretty sordid. Sam and I confronted him and he threatened Sam.”
“That’s the only name Mr. Moser could come up with. He told us that Mr. Chesterfield and a Mr. Gentry were courting a Lily Dowd and mentioned that Mr. Gentry died shortly before Chesterfield and Dowd married. Do you know anything about that?”
“My wife is a friend of Lily’s and she might know something of use.”
“I’d like to talk to her.”
“I’ll set up a meeting.”
“I have a question,” Peter Ragland interjected. “Were there ever any rumors about Sam and Sophie?”
“What type of rumors?” the judge asked, although it was obvious from his facial expression that he knew exactly what the deputy district attorney was getting at.
“Were they having an affair?”
“You’re way off track with that.”
Ragland shrugged. “I’ve got to ask. If something was going on and she was calling it off or threatening to tell Sam’s wife, there’s a scenario where Moser sends the candy to himself, then gives the box to Sophie under the pretext of being on a diet.”
“No, no, Pete. I’ve been to Sam’s house and seen him at social occasions. He’s been married for twenty-plus years. He talks glowingly about his wife all the time. And Sophie has … had an equally happy marriage. She doted on her husband and their daughter.”
“Okay. Good to know.”
“Can I ask you a question, Judge Crawford?” Roger interjected.
“This is Roger Dillon, my new partner. This is his first homicide case.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Crawford said. “Listen to Detective Quinlan. He’s one of the bright spots in the bureau. Now, what did you want to know?”
“Is Mr. Chesterfield really British and from London?”
“That’s what he claims. Why?”
“Just an idea. Can you tell me anything more about his background?”
“Sorry, but I don’t know him well. For that matter, I don’t think any of the members did.”
Crawford left and Quinlan turned to his partner. “What’s your idea?”