Part 6 (1/2)
She shook her head. ”I'd have to look at the book.”
”What book is that?”
”The book that Vance and I keep our schedules together in. I have my own book, too, for things I don't do with him, and he has his own book that Betty keeps.”
”And who is Betty?”
”Betty Southard, his personal a.s.sistant; she works in his office at the studio.”
”What were you doing immediately before you spoke to Geraldo?” the doctor asked.
”I was cutting flowers in the garden,” she said.
”And what did you do after you finished cutting the flowers and speaking to Geraldo?”
Her shoulders sagged. ”I don't remember. I suppose I must have gone back into the house, but I can't remember doing it.”
”What jewelry had you planned to wear Sat.u.r.day night?” Stone asked.
”Diamonds,” she replied. ”It was black tie.”
”Who was the host?”
”What?”
”The host of the dinner party?”
”What dinner party?”
”The one on Sat.u.r.day night.”
She looked lost. ”I don't remember.”
”Did you take your jewelry out of the safe?”
”I don't know.”
”What is the last thing you remember Vance saying to you?” Judson asked.
”He said I should wear the diamonds. He was taking his jewelry box out of the safe; I remember that.”
”What else was in the safe?”
”I remember who was having the dinner party,” she said. ”It was Lou Regenstein.”
”Did you enjoy the party?” Judson asked.
”I don't remember the party,” she said.
”Arrington,” Stone said, ”does Vance own a gun?”
”I think so,” she replied. ”At least, he said he did. I've never seen a gun in the house.”
”Do you know how to fire a gun?” Stone asked.
”My father taught me to fire a rifle, a twenty-two, when I was sixteen.”
”Did he teach you how to fire a pistol, too?”
She shook her head. ”I don't think I've ever even held a pistol.”
”Well,” Dr. Judson said, ”I think we've covered about enough for now.”
”Is Peter all right?” Arrington asked.
”Your mother wants to take him back to Virginia with her for a visit.”
”I think that's a good idea,” Arrington said, nodding. ”I want to say good-bye to him.”
”Suppose you telephone him,” the doctor said.
”Yes, I could do that.” She turned to Stone. ”Tell me the truth. I'm not crazy, and I want to know. Is Vance dead?”
”Yes,” Stone replied. ”I'm afraid he is.”
She was silent, seeming to think hard. ”Who's taking care of everything?” she asked finally.
”You mean the house? The servants are there.”
”No, I mean, there has to be a funeral; things have to be done; decisions made. I don't know if I can do this.”
”I'll help in any way I can,” Stone said. He had intended to bring this up, himself.
”Oh, would you handle things, Stone? There are legal matters, too, I'm sure.”
”Who is your lawyer?” Stone asked.
”You are, I guess; I don't have another one. Vance has one, but I can't think of his name.”
”Would you like me to represent you both legally and personally?” Stone asked.
”Oh, yes, please, Stone. I'd feel so much better, if I knew you were handling everything.”
”What about medical decisions?”
”I'll make those myself,” she said. ”Unless I'm not able to, then I'd like you to make those decisions, too.”
Stone opened a hotel envelope and took out a sheaf of papers. ”Dr. Judson, do you believe that Arrington is capable of making decisions about her affairs?”
”I don't see any reason why she shouldn't,” the doctor replied.