Jesus, I bet this woman was drop dead gorgeous her entire life, thought Val. The dress hugged the body of a stunning woman who went to the gym, and probably always had.

Gavin held out his hand. “I’m Detective Gavin from the homicide department. This is my partner Detective Warren, and this is Valentina Knight. She’s a death scene investigator with the Erie County Medical Examiner’s office. We’re here regarding the death of Gabrielle Morgan and her son Adam.”

The woman took Gavin’s hand, shaking it. “I’m Claudia Flynn, the Morgans’ household manager.” She then held out her hand for Warren and Val. “Please, come in. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan are expecting you.”

Household manager? Val couldn’t believe this woman was the housekeeper.

“It’s so tragic about Gabrielle and Adam. It’s been such a shock for all of us,” Claudia said as Gavin, Warren and Val entered a two-story, marble-floored foyer. Val turned her gaze in all directions to simply absorb the vastness of the place. A large crystal chandelier hung above. Straight ahead was a curved grand stairway leading to the next level.

“I’m sorry about Gabrielle and Adam,” Gavin said, his voice echoing in the cavernous space.

“Thank you, detective. I’ll take your coats.”

Gavin slipped his wool coat off and gave it to Claudia who placed it over her arm. Warren and Val followed, doing the same with their parkas. “How long have you worked for the Morgans?” Val asked.

“A little over thirty-three years now.” Claudia pointed to a large mat by a bench, strategically placed so guests could sit while removing their shoes. “You can leave your boots there. I can bring you something to cover your feet if you wish.”

Val quickly did the math. With Gabrielle dying at the age of thirty-one, Claudia was working in this house before Gabrielle herself arrived.

“Oh no, we’ll be fine,” Gavin, Warren and Val almost said in unison. The three were well accustomed to walking into people’s homes in the winter. While Warren and Gavin assured Claudia that they were more than comfortable in their heavy socks, Val pulled out a pair of soft soled fleece slippers from her bag.

Claudia nodded, opened a closet and hung the coats. “Please, come with me. I’ll take you to Mr. and Mrs. Morgan.”

“Were you close with Gabrielle?” Val asked Claudia as they followed her down the hallway.

Claudia halted for a split second before continuing. She seemed surprised by the question. Her jaw tensed. “Of course I was. I was her nanny. I was nanny to all the Morgan children, until they were too old to require one. Gabrielle was like my own.”