“It sounds like it’s my neighbor you should be interrogating,” Jack said. “A dead girl on his dock? That sounds suspicious. You know, I’ve never trusted that man. He doesn’t pick up after his dog.”

“She was here,” Archie said. “I need to look at the security footage. See the people she talked to—see if she had any altercations with anyone. For all we know, one of your cameras might have filmed the murder.”

Jack leaned forward, reached over Karim’s shoulder, and picked a piece of toast off Karim’s plate. The hierarchy of command. Jack took a bite off the corner of the toast and chewed on it a few times. “Get a warrant and we’ll talk,” he said.

“I don’t suppose you’d consent to allowing us to interview the rest of your staff?” Archie asked. “Maybe check some backgrounds for priors? There was a goon guarding the bottom of the first-floor stairs in the main house that could use a women’s studies class, and I wouldn’t mind asking him about his movements last night.”

“I think I’ve given you enough time today, Detective,” Jack said.

Archie stood up and pushed his chair in. “Say hi to Leo for me,” Archie said.

Jack didn’t blink. “Leo isn’t here.”

“Where is he?” Archie asked.

Jack shrugged. “Call him. Leave a message. If he wants to talk to you, I’m sure he’ll return it.”

“Can I take a piece of toast to go?” Archie asked, surveying the food on the table.

Jack sighed. “Help yourself,” he said.

“Want one?” Archie asked Henry.

Henry squinted at him. “No, thanks,” he said.

There was a paper napkin dispenser on the table next to the bowl of eggs. The paper napkins were for the help—Archie would have bet money that they used cloth napkins in the big house. He pulled a paper napkin out and picked up a piece of toast and spread some peanut butter on it. As he reached to put the knife back in the peanut butter jar, his elbow caught the edge of Karim’s teacup.

The teacup tipped over, rolled off its saucer, and then came to a stop, spilling its entire contents.

Karim jumped back, swearing in Hindi, as hot tea poured over the side of the table onto his lap. His chair clattered, upended, on the kitchen floor and Karim stood pulling at his trousers to keep the scalding liquid off his legs.

Archie handed Karim the dispenser of paper napkins. “Sorry,” he said.

Jack didn’t come to Karim’s aid as he frantically dabbed at his slacks with napkin after napkin. He didn’t move. His eyes were on Archie. “You should go now,” Jack said.

Archie leaned toward Karim. “If you need a shower,” he said, “I suggest the second-floor guest bathroom in the main house.” Archie gave Jack a wink. “Just be sure to lock it.”