The Unkindest Cut - By Honor Hartman Page 0,63

could mean, and he could take it from there. And if he thought I was a complete nutcase, then he would just have to think it.

I stepped off the elevator and took a few steps in the direction of the ballroom, then halted.

Maybe I should try to find the deputy and talk to him right away. Yes, best to get it over with, I decided.

I turned in the other direction and headed for the corridor where the sheriff’s department had set up its headquarters for the investigation.

Pausing on the threshold of the room, I glanced around, hoping to see Deputy Ainsworth. He didn’t appear to be there, and I didn’t know whether to be irritated or relieved.

‘‘Can I help you, ma’am?’’

The person addressing me was the young female deputy who had accompanied Ainsworth yesterday. I glanced discreetly at her name tag. ‘‘Um, Deputy Jordan, I was hoping to find Deputy Ainsworth.’’

‘‘He’s not here right now, Mrs. Diamond,’’ she said. ‘‘Is there something I can help you with?’’

I hesitated for a moment. I could explain everything to her; then she could convey it all to her superior. If he wanted to question me further, he could. If he didn’t, well, I wouldn’t have to worry about it anymore.

‘‘Yes, there is,’’ I said after a pause that went on just a bit too long.

‘‘Why don’t you come over here and sit down?’’ Deputy Jordan conducted me to a desk on the other side of the room. She indicated a chair by the desk, and I sat down.

‘‘It’s about the card that Avery Trowbridge had in his hand,’’ I said. I waited a moment, and she nodded encouragement.

‘‘I found a book on the history of bridge,’’ I said, ‘‘and one section of the book tells about the history of playing cards.’’ I could see her trying to hide her impatience. I hurried on. ‘‘The different face cards originally were symbols for historic persons, and it’s just possible that Avery Trowbridge was trying to tell us something by holding the queen of diamonds.’’

‘‘Like what?’’ Suddenly, Deputy Jordan appeared more interested in what I had to say.

‘‘Bear with me,’’ I said. ‘‘This will take a few minutes. ’’ As succinctly as I could, I explained the symbolism of the cards, and then I told her my theories about the queen of diamonds. At some point I realized she had begun jotting notes on a pad of paper.

‘‘Go on,’’ she said when I paused.

‘‘That’s about it,’’ I said. ‘‘It all may not mean a blessed thing, but I thought you should know, just in case.’’

‘‘So you don’t think the card refers to you?’’ A suspicion of smile lurked around her lips.

‘‘No, I don’t,’’ I said tartly. ‘‘I had only met the man the day before, and I had no reason to kill him. My name is just a coincidence in this case.’’

‘‘Yes, ma’am,’’ Deputy Jordan said, smiling broadly now. She stood up. ‘‘Thank you for telling me about this, Mrs. Diamond. I’ll make sure Deputy Ainsworth hears about this. He may have more questions for you.’’

‘‘Of course,’’ I said, standing up also. ‘‘I’m sure he’ll be able to find me if he wants to talk to me. Thank you, Deputy.’’ I turned away and walked toward the door. Once there, I paused and looked back. Jordan was on her cell phone, talking to someone. I hoped it was Ainsworth.

Out in the corridor, I glanced at my watch. It was about ten minutes till I was supposed to meet Sophie and Marylou in the dining room. I might as well wait there.

I stopped in the doorway of the dining room and looked around to see whether my dining companions had arrived early.

They hadn’t, and I was about to turn back and have a seat in the waiting area when I spotted someone waving at me from a table near one of the windows.

I waved back, and Will Trowbridge indicated that he wanted me to join him. Why not? I thought. I doubted that Marylou and Sophie would mind, and when Sophie joined us, I was sure she would charm Will to no end. She generally had that effect on men of any age.

‘‘Hello, Will,’’ I said as I reached the table.

He stood up. ‘‘Hello, Mrs. Diamond. Please sit with me. I really hate to eat alone.’’

He held my chair for me, and I sat down, feeling about a hundred years old. I wasn’t used to such courtly gestures from young men. ‘‘Thank you.’’ He ducked his head,