The Portrait of Doreene Gray (20 page)

“Doreene isn't the only one who kept secrets.” Suki put two fingers in a hole near the hem of her shirt and tore it a little more. “Maureene didn't tell her daughter about Enrico, and Enrico and Lupita know each other somehow.”

Angus looked at Michael. “You said there was speculation that Maureene's agent at the time was Lyndsay's father. If Enrico was the agent, then Lupita would know him that way.”

Michael shook his head. “Her agent had an American name. Jackson, I think it was.” He looked at Suki. “What makes you think Lupita knows Enrico?”

“She knew how he liked his coffee.” Suki looked from one to the other of them. “What, you didn't notice?”

“Maybe you should explain it to us,” Angus said.

Suki bent her knees and sat up. “When Lupita brought coffee around, she fixed it for some people but not others. Lyndsay was pleasantly surprised when Lupita remembered how she liked her coffee, and thanked her. Maureene was so used to it that she just nodded to let Lupita know when to stop pouring cream. And Enrico sat back and watched while Lupita put one sugar in his coffee.”

“What about Reynaldo?” Angus asked.

“He took his black.”

Angus shrugged. “Enrico must have spent some time here, and Lupita remembered how he took his coffee.”

“Then why was Lupita so shocked when Lyndsay called him ‘Dad'?” Suki insisted. “If he was a regular visitor around the time Maureene got pregnant, she must have had her suspicions. Anyway, I'm going by how Enrico acted as much as Lupita. He didn't reach for the sugar himself and he didn't thank her. He took it for granted that she would fix his coffee.” She folded her arms and leaned back. “Trust me, those two have known each other a while, and it has nothing to do with Lyndsay.”

Angus closed his laptop. “I think we should go talk to Lupita.” He got up and opened the door to find Gigi out in the hall.

She skittered away, toward Doreene's room.

“Now that's just sad.” Angus and the others followed the dog to the end of the hall.

Yellow crime-scene tape crisscrossed the closed door to Doreene's bedroom.

Angus squatted and held out his hand as though it contained a treat. “Is no one taking care of you?”

Gigi approached hesitantly.

Suki, leaning against the wall just outside the door, bent and scooped up the dog when she got close enough.

Gigi gave a startled yip and growl.

“No,” Suki said sternly. She held Gigi up to eye level and changed her tone to one of encouragement. “We're going downstairs now. I'm going to take you outside, and then I'll make sure someone has fed you.”

They went downstairs.

“It's awfully quiet,” Michael said. “I wonder if the cops are all gone.”

“We'll see if they're still parked outside,” Angus said.

Suki headed toward the front door, then stopped and held Gigi out toward Michael. “Take her for a minute.”

Gigi lifted her lip and growled at him.

“No,”
Suki said.

Michael put his hands behind his back. “I don't want to get bit.”

“She won't bite you.”

Michael reluctantly held out his hands. “Are you sure?”

Suki quickly handed him the dog. “Pretty sure.”

Gigi's growl escalated to a snarl as she was handed off, but then she fell silent and licked her nose.

“You might want to pet her,” Suki suggested.

Michael carefully scratched Gigi's silky neck.

Suki unwound the long green strip of fabric from her wrist. “This is one of my favorite accessories,” she told Gigi, tying it to the loop on her collar. “Try not to get any bodily fluids on it.”

Michael put the dog down and they went outside.

Angus gazed up and down the street. “No official police cars. Detective Kroger presumably drives something unmarked.” He glanced at Gigi, who had squatted on the lawn, then looked quickly away.

After Gigi finished her business, they went back inside and trooped through the empty house until they found Lupita dumping canned green chilies into a large pot on the stove.

“What are you making?” Michael asked.

“Posole.”
She stirred the contents. “I don't usually make soup so often, but with all the people coming and going, it's easier.”

Suki put Gigi on the floor, keeping a firm grip on the makeshift leash. “Who feeds the pooch?”

Lupita turned, wiping her hands on her apron. “She has dry food in Doreene's room.”

“Her bowl is empty, and that room is still off-limits,” Angus said. “I'd ask if we could go inside, but I don't know if any of the police are still around.”

Lupita gestured to the closed door of the conservatory. “Detective Kroger is in there with the rest of the family.”

Angus raised his brows. “Is there new information about Doreene's death?”

“I don't think so. The detective is calling it an accidental death.” Lupita stood on tiptoe and opened one of the cupboards. “But the lawyer said he might as well go over the will while everyone was here, and the detective wanted to hear it.” She pushed cans aside, clearly looking for something.

Michael furrowed his brow. “If they're going over the will, shouldn't you be in there, too?”

“He already told me what I got. It's not great, but I don't have to be so worried.” She closed the cupboard and set a small can of dog food on the counter, then found a saucer and peeled back the lid of the can.

They watched her spoon brown glop onto the saucer while on the floor, Gigi danced in place. Lupita started to put the food on the floor, but Suki intercepted it.

“I want to see something,” she said, taking the saucer.

Gigi pranced on her hind legs as she followed Suki to a corner of the kitchen.

“Sit,” Suki said.

Gigi dropped to all fours, but continued to prance.

Suki looked at Lupita. “Doesn't she know how to sit?”

Lupita shrugged. “Miss Doreene either carried the Chihuahuita or ignored her.”

Gigi gave an urgent bark.

“No.” Suki stared down at the dog.

Gigi stared back and gave another, louder bark.

Angus leaned toward Michael. “Who do you think will win?”

Michael gave a huff of disbelief. “Please. Who do you think?”

Angus chuckled. “Don't know why I asked, really.”

Gigi alternately stood on her hind legs or barked for another minute. Finally she stopped and milled around uncertainly. Then she sat.

“Good girl!” Suki put the saucer in front of her.

“You should keep her,” Lupita said.

“I travel too much to own a dog.” Suki watched Gigi wolf down food. “I'm sure someone in the family will want her.”

“Or maybe they'll sell her to help pay creditors,” Michael said.

“Hush, Michael.” Angus gave Gigi a look of concern.

“What? She can't understand me.”

Enrico's voice came from behind the conservatory's closed door. The words were indistinguishable, but there was no mistaking the angry tone.

“Why is
he
in there?” Angus whispered to Lupita.

She shook some salt in the pot and stirred it. “Maureene wanted him.”

Suki leaned against the counter. “You and Enrico knew each other before he came for this visit.”

Lupita raised the wooden spoon to her mouth and blew on the soup it contained. “I don't think so.”

“You knew how he took his coffee,” Suki said. “One sugar.”

“Miss Maureene must have told me.” Lupita tasted the soup, then added more salt.

The door to the conservatory opened. Enrico came through and slammed the door behind him, his expression furious. His gaze fastened on Lupita. “Bring me a drink. I'll be in the downstairs parlor.” He glared at Angus a moment. “And I don't want to talk to anyone.” He stormed out.

Lupita released a slow breath and pointed to a lower cabinet, behind Suki's legs. “Excuse me. I need to get in there.”

“Sure.” Suki moved out of the way. “That is one angry guy.”

“Maybe he has reason.” Lupita opened the cabinet and pushed liquor bottles aside until she found a bottle of gin. She stood and closed the cupboard.

“How do you know that's what he wants?” Suki asked.

Lupita looked at the bottle she held and bit her lip.

“Don't pester her,” Angus said kindly. He rested a hand Lupita's shoulder. “If you ever need to talk someone, we'll respect your privacy.”

Lupita scanned his face. Her mouth opened, then closed as the conservatory door opened again.

Maureene came out first, lips compressed. Reynaldo came next, his face still dazed and tragic. Lyndsay and Baumgartner, the lawyer, followed. Detective Kroger brought up the rear, trench coat draped over one arm, a briefcase in his other hand.

Gigi scampered across the room toward them, trailing her brightly colored leash. She looked from face to face and stopped, her tail drooping.

“Gigi,” Suki said quietly.

Gigi looked over her shoulder at Suki, then walked slowly back.

Suki picked her up. “Who's taking care of the dog? I don't think she's been fed or taken outside today.”

Maureene heaved a sigh. “I let her out this morning when I took Hilda for a walk, but I didn't think about food. Lupita, will you look after Gigi until we figure out what's going to happen to her?”

“I need to know…” Lupita stood up straighter. “I need to know who I'm working for now.”

Maureene looked startled. Then she frowned, the lines on either side of her mouth deepening.

Baumgartner spoke. “Any contract you had with Doreene, written or verbal, is null and void. I will do my best to see that you're paid for any labor previous to her death. I can't speak to your future arrangements with other members of the household. That will be up to you and…” He glanced at the staff of
Tripping
and hesitated.

“Reynaldo,” Lyndsay said. “It'll be up to you and Reynaldo, who owns the house.” She looked at her mother. “And the painting.”

Maureene brushed past her daughter and left the room.

Lupita wiped her hands on her apron and faced Reynaldo. “Do you want me to stay and work for you?”

“I…” He looked at Lyndsay.

She nodded slightly.

“Yes,” Reynaldo said. “Please.”

“For now, anyway,” Lyndsay added. “Mr. Baumgartner, is it all right for Reynaldo to sell something quickly—furniture, perhaps—in order to bring Lupita's wages up to date?”

Baumgartner turned to Reynaldo. “You're free to do what you like with Doreene's estate. If you'd like me to serve as your legal adviser, since I am familiar with the house, et cetera, feel free to call and we can discuss your situation.” He handed him a card.

Reynaldo took the card and gazed unseeingly at it. “Thank you.”

“What about the dog?” Suki asked.

“Lupita?” Lyndsay asked. “Will you take care of Gigi for now?”

Lupita sighed. “Okay. But not for long. She bites.”

“Has she actually bitten anyone?” Suki asked. “As in, teeth on skin, blood, etc.?”

They all looked at Gigi, who looked anxiously back from her place in the crook of Suki's arm.

Lupita made an unhappy face. “Well, she
acts
like she will bite.”

“She growls at people, in other words,” Suki said. “Because Doreene encouraged it.”

Reynaldo made a small noise of protest.

Lyndsay put a hand on his arm. “Doreene thought it was cute because Gigi is so small. It's not as though she could hurt anyone.”

Reynaldo gave her a grateful look.

“In that case,” Suki said, “maybe you'd like to have her.” She held Gigi out toward Lyndsay.

Gigi turned her head sideways and snarled, revealing surprisingly large teeth.

Lyndsay stepped smartly back.

“No?” Suki asked. She put Gigi down and unfastened the strip of cloth from her collar. “Lupita, do you know all the things a dog needs?”

“Food, and to be let out in the yard.”

“Food and fresh water,” Suki said. “Also, you need to go with her outside, and she needs to be on a leash. Otherwise she could run into the street or be attacked by a larger dog, a hawk—”

“Even a squirrel,” Michael murmured.

Lupita frowned. “It sounds like a lot of work.”

“It won't be for long,” Lyndsay said. “I'll work on finding a place for her.”

Reynaldo gave Lyndsay a wistful look. “You don't think you and the Chihuahuita will learn to love each other?”

“Um.” Lyndsay went from startled to smiling. “It's just that I've never owned a dog. I wouldn't know the first thing about taking care of one.” Her smile turned sad. “And of course, I don't know what I'm going to do or where I'll live.”

Reynaldo dropped his gaze to the floor.

Baumgartner checked his watch. “I have to go.” He shook hands with Reynaldo. “Good luck, Mr. Cruz. Feel free to call me if you'd like to set up a professional arrangement. In the meantime, I'll send you the names of several excellent financial advisers.”

He sketched a wave to everyone else and left.

Detective Kroger set down his briefcase and put an arm through one sleeve of his trench coat. “Mr. MacGregor, do you have those notes for me?”

“We're almost done whipping them into shape,” Angus said. “If you'd like to give me your e-mail address, we'll send them along shortly.”

Kroger patted his coat pockets and came up with a card case. He wrote on the back of a card and handed it to Angus. “The sooner the better. I appreciate it.” He turned to the others and handed out more cards. “I'm very sorry for your loss. I'll keep you informed of our progress, and please, if you come up with any more information, call me anytime. I'll let myself out.”