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To my astonishment, he stepped all the way inside and closed the front door. “I’ve been looking into Astrid’s death.”

I said automatically, “The case is closed. She committed suicide.”

“Officially, it is. But in my spare time, I’ve been going over some things that I don’t think add up.”

“Like what?”

“Were you allowed to read her suicide note?”

My mouth was dry. “No.”

“I thought that might be the case. I made a copy to show you.”

“I don’t…”

He said quickly, “I know. It doesn’t have to be now. But it does have to be soon.”

“Why? Why would I have to read that?”

“Honey—” Raleigh stopped himself. “I know it’s painful. I know you don’t want to. But it’s important.”

“But why?Whywould it be important?”

Raleigh hesitated. “I think there’s a possibility Astrid didn’t commit suicide.”

There was a high-pitched humming in my ears. I reached out for the arm of the sofa and sat down. Dimly, I was aware of Raleigh sitting beside me on the sofa. He put his hand on my back.

“It’s okay. This can wait until tomorrow.”

I rested my face in my hands.”

He rose, went into the kitchenette, poured a glass of water and brought it back to the sofa.

“Here you go. Take a couple of swallows.”

I lowered my hands, took the glass, took a couple of swallows. I did actually feel a little better.

Raleigh took the glass, set it on the table within reach, sat beside me again. He didn’t say anything.

I drew a couple of long, wavering breaths, said finally, “What you’re saying is, you think Astrid was murdered.”

He didn’t answer. He stroked my back.

I turned my head to stare at him. “That’s what you think, isn’t it? You’re not saying you think it was an accident.”

“No. I don’t think it was an accident. But we don’t have to go through everything tonight. Tomorrow morning—”

“Then you do think it was murder.”

He said reluctantly, “I think it was probably murder.”

“Who? Who do you think killed her?”

Raleigh looked startled, then he glanced at the front door. If that wasn’t a giveaway, I don’t know what would be.

“Malcolm?”

“I didn’t say that.”