“He says he was working late that night. Kate said Sabrina was the only one with him. She could be covering for him. And I just saw them both at a restaurant on my way here, looking very cozy. I left before they could spot me, though.” She paused and gave him a weighted look. “Maybe something’s going on, and Lily found out. The police are being very close-lipped about who they suspect, though I hope they questioned Sabrina. Did they question you?” She tried to make her tone casual.

He nodded. “Yes, I think they’ve talked to everyone in Lily’s circle.”

She smiled at him. “Well, I hope you have a good alibi.”

He made a face. “I was home that night, but they have no reason to suspect me.”

She laughed. “Of course not. Back to Simon. I know that he and Kate have a prenup, that Lily insisted on it. And apparently he and Kate had separated right before Lily died. Now he’s back in the house. Awfully convenient, don’t you think?” She had to break Kate’s confidence about the separation in the service of finding out more.

“I didn’t know that.” He picked up his drink and threw the rest back in one swallow, slammed the glass on the coffee table, then got up and brought the bottle of Blanton’s back with him, refilling his glass. Blaire wondered if he always drank this much after hours, or if it was their conversation stressing him out.

Finally, he continued. “That phony baloney. Who knows what he’s capable of? I tell you one thing, I’d like to wrap my hands around his neck for cheating on Kate.” As he spoke, he balled one hand into a fist, his knuckles white and straining.

Blaire instinctively inched back farther in her chair. “I think I’ll mention having seen them together tonight to the police, but I don’t want to upset Kate further,” she said.

A vein was bulging in Gordon’s forehead, and for a minute, Blaire wondered if he was going to have a stroke. He was muttering now. “Thinks he’s so damn good-looking with that mop of dark curls and his expensive clothes.” He narrowed his eyes at her. “Do you know he has all his suits custom-made? Who does he think he is, royalty? If it were up to him, he’d go through all her money. I knew he wasn’t the real deal the minute I laid eyes on him.”

At least Simon didn’t wear those stupid bow ties, Blaire thought, annoyed by Gordon’s snobbery, even if he was giving her helpful clues. She took a deep breath and made sure she kept her tone even. “I suppose it’s his choice to do what he wants with his money. After all, his architectural firm is so successful.”

“Hmph. Not really.”

Bingo. “Is his business in trouble?”