TREVOR DEAD? Murdered? Jill staggered, her legs suddenly unable to hold her.
Deputy Rex Duncan pulled out a chair for her at one of the small round serving tables at the front of her bakery and helped her into it. He then drew up seats across from her for him and Samuelson, who pulled a small tape recorder from his pocket, set it on the table, and clicked it on.
There must be some mistake, she said, looking from one to the other of them.
There is no mistake, Samuelson said. Thats why were confused. Why would you say you were with Trevor Forester tonight at the party? Unless for some reason you think you need an alibi.
She stared at him, stunned. An alibi? I was with Trevor in the lake cottage during the time I told you. She looked from Samuelson to Duncan.
Duncan shook his head.
She felt the blood leave her head. If she hadnt been in the cottage with Trevor Oh, my God.
Why dont you start at the beginning? Duncan suggested as he handed her a napkin from the dispenser on the table. You arrived at the party at what time?
She took the napkin and wiped her eyes, panic making her hands shake. About seven-thirty.
Alone? Duncan asked.
She nodded. I thought Trevor would meet me at the party since he was running so late.
Trevor Forester was your fiancé? Deputy Samuelson asked.
She nodded, then glanced down at her ringless finger, the white mark on her lightly tanned skin where the diamond engagement ring had been. The deputies followed her gaze. She quickly covered her hand.
I think youd better tell us what happened tonight, Samuelson said. Its obvious youve been crying. How did you get that bump on your head?
She looked up at him, then at Deputy Duncan, and fought to swallow back the dam of tears that threatened to break loose. Trevor dead. Murdered. And the man in the cottage whod been dressed like Rhett Butler?
The truth, Ms. Lawson. You werent with Trevor Forester tonight at the party. So where were you? Samuelson asked impatiently.
I thought I was with Trevor, she cried, and saw them exchange another look. I know this will sound crazy
Believe me, weve heard it all, Duncan said, not unkindly. Just tell us what happened.
She took a breath. Trevor was supposed to pick me up for the party at six-thirty, she began. We were going as Rhett Butler and Scarlett OHara. Jill told them how shed gone alone to the Foresters at seven-thirty, waited for him in a room off the far wing until shed seen the man she believed to be Trevor dressed as Rhett Butler duck into the lake cottage at eight-fifteen. Shed just looked at her watchthat was why she remembered the time. It was just before the electricity went out.
Duncan nodded. A transformer blew on that side of the lake about then. The man you saw, he had on a mask?
She nodded and realized shed only gotten a glimpse as hed gone into the cottage. Just an impression of Rhett Butler.
So you went down to the cottage in a downpour to see him? Samuelson asked. Why not wait until the storm let up? Or he came up to the party?
I wanted to speak with Trevor alone first.
Samuelson raised an eyebrow. About what? I see you arent wearing
your engagement ring.
The truth is, I had planned to break off our engagement, she admitted, wondering if theyd already found her engagement ring in the cottage. She assumed theyd already talked with Heddy and Alistair. Had Heddy told the deputies how upset Jill had been? That shed planned to break the engagement?
Why break up? Samuelson asked, eyeing her closely.
She shook her head, not knowing where to begin. I had hardly seen Trevor lately, and I just felt that we shouldnt be getting married.
You said had planned to break off your engagement. Did something change your mind? Duncan asked.
Actually, Trevor didat first. Or at least the man I thought was Trevor. She could see the deputies skepticism. She hurriedly told them how the electricity had gone out, how in the darkness the man she thought was Trevor had grabbed her, kissed her, seduced herall without a word spoken between them.
She dropped her gaze to her hands, clasped in her lap, for a moment, the shame and humiliation almost getting the better of her as she thought of what shed done with a stranger. She had opened herself up to him. At the time shed thought it was the darkness that had let her put all her inhibitions aside and make love as shed never made love beforecompletely.
When she looked up, she saw they didnt believe a word shed said. Its true! I can prove it. Someone saw us together. A woman. She groaned silently, mortified to have to tell them.
What woman? Duncan asked.
Jill looked at him and realized she didnt have a clue who the woman was. Reluctantly she explained how it seemed Trevor had planned to meet, not her, but the other Scarlett in the cottage. The woman saw us, became angry and left.
I thought it was dark inside the cottage? Samuelson said.
It was, but there was a flash of lightning as she opened the door, Jill said.
You didnt see the man in this flash of lightning? he asked incredulously.