Chapter 13:
They were in the limo on their way to the mansion, when Laura asked him, "How do you think they stole the volumes?"
"The first thought that comes to mind is that it was done in three parts: first, Margot having the chance to get the key from Mr. Stanhope while he was under the anesthesia effect. Second: taking a copy from the key, she would be able to give it to her uncle later. And third, he would have the time to act alone at the mansion, in Mr. Stanhope's following dentist appointment," he answered.
"The fact that Margot was aware of Mr. Stanhope's dentist appointments made it easier. She could let her uncle steal the volumes at the perfect time," added Laura. "All right, we have the way they did it. But why did they do it?"
"Maybe we could try to answer that question with our friend Lehman's help," suggested Mr. Steele.
They butler escorted them to the library, and they waited there for Mr. Stanhope's personal assistant.
"Mr. Steele, Miss Holt, how can I help you?"
"We have found the possible author of the theft. But we can't find enough reasons to set his motives," said Mr. Steele.
"And why do you think I could help you?" asked Lehman.
"Because our suspect works here at the mansion," answered Miss Holt.
"I see. Who is your suspect, Mr. Steele?"
"Paul Collière, the sôus chef. Do you know him well?" asked Laura.
"I know him as well as I know everyone working at the mansion. I have a good opinion of him," Lehman told them. "I can't believe he could be the guilty one…"
"Well, it seems that Paul Collière is Margot Collière's uncle," explained Laura.
"Who is Margot Collière?" asked Lehman.
"She is Dr. Williams' nurse," answered Mr. Steele
"I never saw her. I always wait for Mr. Stanhope at the reception area while is in one of his appointments. She must work inside with the dentist," he said.
"We suspect that while Mr. Stanhope was under the anesthesia effect, the nurse took his keys, made a print mold of them, and then returned them to its place before Mr. Stanhope woke up," said Mr. Steele.
"And then, she gave the keys to her uncle, and he stole the volumes when Mr. Stanhope was at his next dentist appointment," added Miss Holt.
"Do you know if Collière is under any kind of personal pressure, in need of money?" asked Mr. Steele.
"Now that you mention it, he had some trouble with gambling, about five years ago. Mr. Stanhope helped him with his debts, and he agreed to be helped to leave gambling," answered Lehman.
"Maybe he couldn't leave it at all, and he was embarrassed to ask again a favor to Mr. Stanhope," said Mr. Steele.
"Hmm, it's a possibility. Do you want to talk to him, Mr. Steele.?"
"If you don't mind…" answered Laura.
Lehman went to find the sôus chef. He arrived back with Collière five minutes later.
"Mr. Lehman told me you want to talk with me. What do you need? Collière asked.
"It looks like we have a problem here," said Mr. Steele. "There are some of Mr. Stanhope's personal items that have disappeared as you already know. We have made an investigation, and it appears that you would have something to do with the facts."
"What? I don't know what you are talking about. I appreciate Mr. Stanhope very much. He had been a great person to me. He even helped me when I was in trouble, and never asked for anything in return. I would never try to do anything wrong against him!" said the man.
"Aren't you Margot Collière's uncle?" asked Laura.
"Yes, I am. But I don't know what that has to do with the trouble you are talking about," Collière answered. "I haven't seen Margot since my sister died, four years ago. We don't have a close relationship."
"Can you prove that?" asked Laura.
"Of course I can prove that. Ask Margot. She will give you the same answer," said Collière.
"I suppose she would give us the same answer because she is supposed to be your allied, Mr. Collière," Laura told him.
"But I can prove I haven't seen her for that period, detective. Ask her to make a description of myself. As you would see, I have a significant scare in my left hand. I'd made it about three years ago. Ask her about it. She would not be able to answer you," he said.
The detectives gave a detailed look to Mr. Collière's hand. A part of his index finger was lost. It was very noticeable.
"Ok, we are going to ask her," said Mr. Steele.
"There is another thing. I never leave the kitchen to take strolls through the mansion. You can ask everybody working at the kitchen…"
"Stay close Collière," Mr. Steele told him.
"I'm going to be here, working as always. Don't worry, Mr. Steele."
Mr. Collière had been very convincing to the detectives. They decided to check on what the sôus chef had told them, visiting Margot at her job.
"Hello Margot, Laura Holt, my associate Remington Steele," Laura said. "We are private investigators working in a case for Mr. Stanhope. We need to ask you some questions."
"Sure, what do you need to know?" answered the nurse.
"It seems that Mr. Stanhope has a problem with your uncle. Are you in touch with him?" asked Mr. Steele.
"Well, we haven't been in touch for some time. I can't remember exactly…" answered Margot. "Why are you asking?"
"Do you know anything about a personal accident he was involved?" asked Laura.
"No, I don't know anything about an accident. Is he all right?"
"He is all right. We are here because of a different matter, Margot," said Mr. Steele.
"Some of Mr. Stanhope's personal stuff disappeared. It happened one day when he was here at a dentist appointment. As you are related with some of the mansion's staff, you two are our most important suspects at the moment," added Miss Holt.
"What? I don't know what you are talking about! How would I be related?" she asked.
"Well," said Mr. Steele. "You could have taken a copy of Mr. Stanhope's keys when he was under the anesthesia effect, and then given it to your uncle to steal the object," suggested Mr. Steele.
"Oh, no. Wait! I haven't seen my uncle for a long time. Perhaps for about four years. You can't accuse me of doing a thing like that. You don't have any proves!"
"Maybe you are right, and we don't have any proves yet. But we'll find them, Margot," said Laura, and after that, they left the place.