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Conklin nodded, wondering, Does this actor really think thatfrom charity board decisions? Both Joan and Robert had B-movie theories to real-lifeso

Rich said, “Mr Murphy, when your wife didn’t coht, weren’t you worried about her?”

“As I said, Joan does what Joan wants to do We don’t question each other, Inspector And if your next question is ‘Do you love your wife?’ the answer is ‘I like her independence, her huence’ And yes, I do love her as well”

“I have to ask you Do you think your wife could be having an affair?”

Murphy gave Conklin a scathing look and said, “If she is having an affair, it would shock the hell out ofrelationship Thank you for bringing her ho the kidnapper”

Joan Murphy returned to the roo like an entirely different wo Confident

“Richard,” she said “You’ll have dinner with us, right?”

“I wish I could, Joan Maybe another time But before I leave, I need a few moments with Marjorie”

Chapter 15

Joan brought Conklin to the kitchen, where he ht, a wiry, blue-eyed woman as about sixty years old She was dressed casually in dark pants and an untucked white shirt

She dried her hands on a dish towel and checked on the contents of the oven After Joan had left the room, she and Conklin sat down at the kitchen table

Conklin asked so had she worked for the Murphys? What did she think of theuments between the two of them?

Miss Bright told Conklin that she had worked for Miss Joan for thirteen years She lived in a private suite on the third floor She seemed happy with her job in the Murphys’ home

When Conklin asked if the couple fought, she shrugged and said, “I guess there’s been so over the last five years, but there’s never been any violence They have separate suites connected by a hallway on the second floor Their lives are separate, mostly, but sometimes they’ll entertain at hoether They live well in this house, and I do think they are in love”

Conklin asked, “Do you recall if Mr Murphy was home on Sunday?”