Piper stepped back. Her voice was small and she sobbed when she said, “It’s Dooney, Mum. He’s . . . he’s . . . dead.”

Rita gasped. She covered her mouth with her hand. “What? How? Are you—”

“Sure?” Piper asked. She glanced at the detective. He nodded and she turned back to her mother. “Yes, I’m sure.”

Rita put her hand over her chest and sagged into the wall. “I can’t . . . I don’t understand.” She was very pale, and I was afraid she might faint like Piper had.

“Is there something I can get for you?” I asked.

Rita looked at me without really seeing me. “My husband. I need my husband.”

I looked at the detective. He nodded. “Do not speak to anyone else. Do not tell anyone else what is happening. Am I clear?”

“Yes.” I glanced at Sunny to see if she wanted to come with me but she was staring at the floor looking morose. Maybe it was better if she stayed away from the crowd for now. “I’ll be right back.”

I turned and hurried down the hallway. No, I had no idea where the dining room and veranda were, but I was hoping that the guests would be making enough noise that I could follow the sound. I turned left at a suit of arms that I remembered, then I went straight and ended up at a dead end, where I saw a game room of sorts, with a big billiards table. I turned, went back the way I came and took the only other passageway available.

I was doubting myself, when I heard the faint sound of chatter and laughter. Excellent. I was so close. I knew I wasn’t supposed to stop and talk to anyone else, but if I saw Viv and Andre, there was no way I couldn’t tell them what was happening.

The guests had left the veranda and were now in the dining room. I glanced around until I saw Mr. May standing beside his table, looking concerned as he watched the doors. I wondered if he sensed something was amiss.

I hurried across the room toward him. I had a sudden pang of anxiety at the thought that we’d get lost as I tried to lead him to the library. I pushed it aside. I’d figure it out. I was halfway across the room when Viv appeared in front of me.

“Scarlett, where have you been?” Viv cried. “Andre was convinced you’d fallen in the moat and drowned.”

“There is no moat,” I said.