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10

RASMUSSEN MANSION

WASHINGTON, DC

MONDAY EVENING

At eight thirty that evening, Savich and Sherlock showed their creds to the single Metro police officer still on duty in front of the Rasht yellow crime scene tape still blocked the driveway Behind it stood the stately black Bentley, its shattered glass scattered over the driveway, gleaht The last of the news crews had left, thankfully, at least for the night

When Isabel showed the room, they saw a tableau of the entire Rasmussen family huddled around Venus, except for Glynis, who sat quietly opposite the sofa in a delicate Louis XVI chair, seener shoes Only Hildi was inher in her substantial bosoe and relief

Veronica sat a bit apart from the faling between his knees, looking like he wanted a drink Alexander stood behind the sofa, at Venus’s back, resting his hand lightly on her shoulder Savich looked back and forth between father and son Were one or both of you feeding Venus arsenic? But if so, ould you be so stupid as to be the only ones present?

Alexander looked up and stiffened His handsoht and sneered "So you’re finally here Are you going to tell us what you’re going to do about this?"

Savich s tonight?"

She looked relieved when she saw them and pulled away fro to be in the shop awhile" She looked a bit pale but solid, like she’d weighed what had happened, tucked it away, and faced forward She earing a lovely black silk blouse that flowed loose over black slacks, her French pedicure on display in her open-toe gold sandals Aet a fashion plate She was a forlad you’re both here If you want to speak to MacPherson, he’s in the kitchen having his dinner Mr Paul grilled him a porterhouse steak, MacPherson’s favorite, as a thank-you for his savingto listen to Mr Paul co into his kitchen to look for poison Poison! He was quite incensed, but I don’t doubt he was relieved when they left He assured

"As you see, everyone is here, waiting for you Everyone is eager to hear your ideas on who’s behind this Now, please sit down I expect everyone will gird their loins and cooperate" Her words were bright and strong, but Savich saw the tension lurking in her eyes He knew her well enough to see she was drawn tight as a bowstring after the wild shootout, and without knowing if anyone here was responsible But she was playing the matriarch and, even e, always in control, even with her life on the line Did the fa able to do that, or adreeted every Ras last to Alexander, who ave the Venus and accepted coffee from Isabel, Venus cleared her throat to draw everyone’s attention and said in a firm, matter-of-fact voice, "I’ve explained to the faht So me with arsenic over the past h, and so they launched the direct attack this afternoon I survived only because MacPherson was a hero, nearly ran the attacker doith the Bentley" Venus’s eyes glittered as she looked at each of them in turn "I’m very thankful Dillon and Sherlock were still outside and actually caught the man"