Chapter 12 #2
“So she did receive the two paintings from the hallway?” Abby asked.
“I don’t know if she received them, just that I sent them. Another example of Victor’s generosity.”
“I understand you like the job and the money, but why continue working at your age? Why not retire?”
“And fill my days with what?” He shifted his gaze between them. “When you find a calling in life, there’s no reason to retire from it unless you can no longer perform the duties.”
“I don’t mean to cast aspersions on the job you’re doing as the estate manager,” Abby said. “But the property seems to be in great disrepair.”
“Not for lack of trying.” Ugo sighed. “I’ve wanted to get Victor to see the state of things and fix them.
He’s in savings mode. Or so he claims. And he’s the one who fired Juan López, the gardener, in a fit of anger.
After that, I couldn’t take care of it all, nor would Victor or Sylvia, so everything grew out of control. ”
“Do you know why he was angry at Juan?” Burke asked.
“My guess is he simply values his privacy and doesn’t want repairmen around the property.
I think he let the gardener go because of that, not finances.
He has plenty of money and will never run out of it in his lifetime.
Juan was hired by Estelle and lived in a caregiver’s house on the property.
After she disappeared, Victor not only lost interest in the garden, but he didn’t want someone else living here. ”
Abby didn’t understand it, but then she didn’t have the phobias Victor seemed to have. “Victor mentioned you broke the basement window, and he thought it’d been fixed.”
“I hit it with a ladder when I climbed up to stop a shutter from completely falling off the building. The window is on backorder. I told him that, but at our age we often forget things.”
She had no reason not to believe him. “Have you noticed anything unusual around here lately? Like people on the property who shouldn’t be. Things gone missing or even being moved in the house that didn’t make sense.”
“No. No. If I’d seen anyone other than our usual delivery service personnel, Victor would know about it. Why do you ask?”
“What about the cells in the basement?” Burke asked, thankfully changing the subject, so she didn’t have to sidestep what was going on. “Have you been down there lately?”
A flash of surprise lit in his eyes. “No one goes down there. Why would we? It’s a very depressing place that serves as a reminder of an equally depressing time in Oregon history. Imagine living without any real law enforcement and homeowners had to take the law into their own hands.”
Abby couldn’t even begin to imagine living among such lawlessness. Not when she liked things neat and tidy and according to plan. “Are you aware of any secret passages in the mansion?”
“There’s a passageway leading from the library up to the master bedroom,” Ugo said.
“Have you been in it recently?” Burke asked.
Ugo shook his head. “It’s Victor’s personal space, like his bedroom, and Sylvia and I don’t ever use it.”
“Do you know who has over the years?” Burke asked.
“Victor never really did, but Estelle used to.”
“Did Estelle like to shoot guns?”
“Estelle?” Ugo’s eyes widened. “She was far too much of a lady to touch a gun.”
“Have you seen or found any hidden storage cubbies in the house?” Burke was on a roll, so Abby sat back for now.
“I’ve never come across anything like that,” Ugo said.
“So you don’t know about the hidden compartment in the floor by the office fireplace?”
“No. Is there one?” His surprise seemed legit.
“Have you visited the greenhouse lately?” Burke wasn’t giving Ugo time to think, an interview method used to encourage him to say the first thing that came to mind.
Ugo raised his hands in frustration. “How would I even get to it? I’d need a machete, and there’s no point in going there when it might collapse on my head.”
“Have you seen anyone else in there?”
“Again, how would I see such a thing with the wall of greenery between it and the house?”
Burke took out his phone and displayed a picture of the locket. “Do you recognize this necklace?”
“Sure.” Ugo continued to study the screen. “It belonged to Estelle. She wore it every day.”
“So she had it on when she went missing?”
“I didn’t see her that day, but it seems likely.”
They needed a copy of the police files for Estelle’s disappearance, not only to check for any mention of a locket, but for any other details they might need to follow up on.
Abby would mention it later, but now, her questions. “Do you ever spend the night here?”
He looked at his hands. “I did, back when we lived in the servants’ quarters, but not since then.”
Avoiding eye contact could mean he was lying. “So in all the years you’ve worked here, you never missed the last ferry?”
“I didn’t say that,” Ugo lifted his head, his expression blank. “The few times it did happen, Victor arranged a water taxi for me. Did the same for Sylvia so neither of us had to stay over. As I’ve said, he likes his privacy. He particularly likes to be alone in the evening.”
She believed his last statement, but he seemed pretty wishy-washy about spending the night. Maybe his family members could further clarify. “Are you married? Have children?”
His eyes squeezed shut, brows knotting tight. “Was. Had a son. Both were killed in a hit and run three years ago.”
Oh no! Poor guy. If only she could take her question back. “I’m so sorry, Ugo. It must have been extremely hard to lose them.”
“Even more since I have no idea who hit them and got away with murder.” He shook his head. “Daniel took my sweet wife to Portland to buy a dress for our fiftieth wedding celebration. That makes it even worse.”
With such a terrible tragedy in Ugo’s past, Abby didn’t want to continue questioning him. He’d suffered mightily. Was still suffering. But he’d also been acting evasive, and she had to do her job. Still, she could offer some support. “I’ll pray for your comfort and peace, Ugo.”
He waved a hand. “Don’t trouble yourself. Walked away from God when He took my family. Your prayers won’t matter.”
She wanted to argue. Tell him no one could know God’s plan in the loss of his family, but now wasn’t the time to discuss his faith. But she would pray for him. Pray he was able to embrace his faith again and return to God. “Do you know of any extremely valuable items stored in this house?”
“Extremely valuable?” He stroked his goatee with twisted fingers.
“I can only tell you about the items I’ve arranged to be insured.
Most of the paintings would fetch a high price at auction.
Victor owns a large assortment of watches, and he still has Estelle’s jewelry.
She had quite the collection of rare gemstones when she married him.
Of course, there’s the silver and crystal, and the limited edition and rare books.
Most of the furniture is French antique, and it, too, would bring a good auction price. ”
Just as she expected. No crown. “Does Victor keep these items in a safe on the property?”
“There is a safe. It’s in the hallway leading to his bedroom, but the thing is ancient. Was installed when the house was built. The island has been crime-free until recently, so he had no need to use it.”
Extremely interested now, Abby sat forward. “You said recently. Why do you think it’s changed?”
“Several of the homes are now vacant. The homeowners have taken their valuables, but the houses have been broken into and vandalized.”
“What about here? Any unlawful entries?”
“No.”
So the crown likely hadn’t been stolen by someone breaking in and discovering it as Victor had suggested. “Has Victor mentioned any recent thefts?”
“Now wait a minute.” He shot forward. “If you’re accusing me or Sylvia of stealing something from him, you can stop right there. We would never do that. Not only is he family, but it would violate the ethics code we both try to live by.”
He might be hoping to eliminate her suspicion of his involvement in the crown theft, but she wouldn’t let this go so easily.
People lied. Especially people with a lot to lose.
If Ugo was found guilty of stealing the crown, he would have a tremendous amount to lose, including his freedom for his last days on earth.