Kimberley looked at her with dismay: “I thought we’d have a chance to get our stories straight, and then—I have to go answer the door, Peggy, especially with you here.” He led Peggy out of the darkroom and opened the front door. Detective Fred Nelson and a young woman were standing there.
“Hello, Kimberley,” Nelson said casually, “This is Frances Bushnell—if that means anything to you.”
Don Kimberley didn’t invite them in, saying, “Hello, Miss Bushnell.”
“It’s Mrs. Bushnell,” Nelson corrected. “We’re coming in, Kimberley.” He pushed past him, saw Peggy, and said, “Oh, oh, looks like the whole gang’s here. Have a seat, everyone.”
“Since you’re playing host,” Kimberley said coldly, “maybe you’d like to get us something to drink?”
“Oh, calm down,” Nelson told him. “I’m here on official business, not to waste too much time. Mrs. Bushnell was a good friend of Stella Lynn. She, her husband, and Stella’s boyfriend used to go out together, the four of them. Tell them about your outings, Frances.”
Frances Bushnell seemed a bit uneasy.
“Go on,” Nelson encouraged, “Speak up, don’t be shy, it’s okay.”
“Oh…” Mrs. Bushnell paused, cleared her throat, appearing somewhat uncertain: “Peter, my husband—he still is—and Stella, and Bill Everett—”
“Who’s Bill Everett?” Nelson interrupted.
“Stella’s boyfriend.”
“When was this?”
“She was in Kofferville, working as a cashier in a café.”
“Okay, continue.”
“Oh, Peter, I, Stella, and Bill used to go out together on weekends, we were friends. Peter and I got married, and I knew Stella very well.”
“What was Bill like?”
“He wasn’t a good guy. I think he got into some trouble somewhere, I know Stella was heartbroken because of it. I think she really liked him.”
“How long ago was this?”
“About two years ago.”
“And then?”
“Then Peter and I got married and settled here. After Stella came, she visited us, and I’ve kept in touch with her.”
“When was the last time you saw her?”
“Yesterday afternoon.”
“Where?”
“At a cocktail bar on Fifth Avenue.”
“Was it a chance meeting, or did you have plans, or something else?”
“It’s a gathering spot, where office girls like us often go to chat and have some cocktails. Stella was there.”
“What did she say?”
