J.M.J.

V

Carson and Nancy met for breakfast in the hotel's breakfast room the next morning. Nancy was still disappointed by the results of solving the puzzle box the evening before, and so she inevitably brought it up.

"I hated looking so stupid in front of everyone," she said with a sigh. "They probably think I've got quite the runaway imagination."

"It was a good thought," Carson said, "and it was a good idea to check it out. But since it was wrong, we'll have to think of something else."

"I'm not entirely convinced it was wrong, though," Nancy said.

"You think Eleanor Marquette's treasure is invisible?"

Nancy grinned and shook her head. "Nothing as crazy as that. I was just thinking that maybe someone had taken the contents out. It wasn't that hard a puzzle to solve. That could have been why the thief broke in."

"It doesn't quite hold water," Carson told her. "We know that the thief took a handful of silver spoons out of that safe, which fits in with his previous MO. Solving a puzzle box doesn't. Besides that, and more importantly, the police only found Paul Dustin's fingerprints on it. The thief would have had a hard time solving the puzzle without touching it."

"But there weren't fingerprints anywhere in the room, so he must have worn gloves."

"True," Carson conceded. "But it would have been a foolish thing for him to do. Even you took a few minutes to solve that box. The thief would have taken at least that long. He would be taking quite a risk to stay in the house long enough to do it. Why wouldn't he just take the box with him and solve it in his own time? Or more likely, just break it open?"

"He might have not wanted anyone to know that the box had been opened." Nancy took a sip of orange juice as she thought about it. "Actually, there's one person who would have a definite reason for wanting that box to remain where it was. We've been assuming that the fact that the box hasn't been stolen practically clears Alex. Now that that's been established, if he is the burglar, the last thing he would want to do is remove the box, even if he wanted whatever was inside."

Carson smiled. "That would be very shrewd of him. The only problem is that, in that case, Alex would have had no reason to take anything else and draw attention to himself. He could have slipped into the house right at the very beginning, gotten what he wanted, and left again without anyone ever knowing the difference."

"Yeah. A theory that requires a person to be simultaneously very clever and very stupid probably isn't a very good theory," Nancy admitted. "It's just as well, though. Since Alex is your client, I'd rather he isn't guilty."

"Same here." Carson glanced around him and took stock of how many people were in the dining room. Nancy guessed that he must have wanted to say something confidential, but he thought there were too many people around. Instead, he said, "I think it might be worthwhile considering your other theory: that someone might be trying to mess with the family."

"It is the only theory so far that fits the facts," Nancy said. "Not that it makes very much sense. Considering some of the things that have been taken are valuable and that Alex has been charged with taking them and that the guard was attacked last night, it's all much too serious to be just a joke. Speaking of the guard, though, do you suppose the police have talked to him yet?"

"I'm sure they did as soon as the doctors allowed them to. I'd like to speak to him myself, though, if the police approve of that."

"What else do you have planned for today?" Nancy asked.

"We'll talk to the police first and see if they'll show us that threatening message Alex is accused of sending. I'm sure they will. It's standard procedure in a situation like this. Then if they approve, we'll go to the hospital, and then we'll go and talk to the rest of the family members. I want to see what all of them have to say." Carson paused and looked at Nancy for a moment. "You know, chances are that these interviews are going to be rather dull or else very unpleasant. If you'd rather find something else to do, that's perfectly all right."

Nancy shook her head. "I want to go with you. Don't forget that I came along to help you out on this case."

"Right." Carson grinned. "Well, then, as soon as we're finished with breakfast, let's go. We've got a busy day ahead of us."

NDNDNDNDND

The police had only a few scanty details to give them, and they were as close-lipped as they could be. Carson was used to that, considering that the very nature of their jobs did tend to strain relationships between the police and the defense lawyer in a criminal case, even if they were all ultimately working toward the same goal. They had spoken with Gavin Wells, the guard from the Marquette house, and he had been able to tell them nothing about his attacker. All he had been able to tell them was that he had heard someone in the room with the safe and had gone to investigate. Then someone must have hit him over the head. The police said that they had no objection to Carson going to talk to the man, but that the doctor would as he had ordered complete rest for the patient that day.

They did show Carson and Nancy a copy of the email which Jackson Marquette had received. The sending address was nothing but a string of random numbers and letters. The body of the email read:

FORGET ABOUT THE INHERITANCE AND THE CHARGES AGAINST ALEX MARQUETTE OR THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES

"Short and to the point," Carson commented.

"You can see why Jackson would think that Alex sent this," the police officer, Hart, commented. "It's not exactly direct evidence, though. Either of Alex's parents would have just as much reason to send it as he would himself."

"Or someone might have sent it to put suspicion on Alex," Nancy suggested.

Hart shrugged. "Could be. There's no evidence one way or another."

"Have you traced the IP address that it was sent from?" Carson asked.

"Sure. It came from one of the computers in the public library. It looks like the account was made on that computer, used to send the email, and then immediately deactivated."

"Does the library keep any record of who uses the computers?" Carson asked. "For instance, do you have to use your library card to log in?"

"Nope. They're just available for anyone to use anytime," Hart said. "There're no cameras in the library, either, and the computers are used pretty frequently. None of the librarians remember who was using the one in question at the time the email was sent."

NDNDNDNDND

Carson decided against going to the hospital. He was satisfied that Hart had told him the whole truth about Gavin Wells, even if it was only because it wasn't very useful information. He tried to call Alex, but he didn't answer his phone. Carson and Nancy even drove to his house, but he wasn't there. So instead, they went to call on Alex's parents. Eliot and Rachel Marquette lived in a much more modest home than Eleanor had. Like most of the homes in Fort David, it was well-kept and tidy.

"The homeowner's associations in this town must be a nightmare," Nancy commented as they walked up to the door. "Do they even have any poorer areas?"

"Probably not, considering the property taxes and the zoning laws here," Carson replied. "They seem to pride themselves on being an upscale community."

"That makes them sound pretty snooty. I hope I'm dressed well enough to be accepted into society here."

Carson laughed. "If they throw us out because of it, that won't be any excuse to turn this into a shopping trip."

"But, Dad, I might need a disguise," Nancy teased him.

By this time, they had reached the door, and Carson had pressed the bell. A few moments later, the door opened, and a woman in her later forties looked out at them. Her brown hair was a bit ruffled and although her clothes looked expensive, they didn't fit her very well.

"Hello, Mr. Drew," she said. "Alex told me you were in town. Come in."

She stood back from the door, holding it while the Drews came through. Carson introduced her to Nancy as Rachel Marquette. Rachel accepted the introduction somewhat awkwardly.

"Do you have any news at all?" she asked anxiously. "The idea of Alex sending his uncle a threat is ridiculous. Why, he's always been so upset by the feud that it's nearly started another feud between him and his dad!"

"At the moment, there's no evidence that he sent it," Carson assured her. "That means that as far as law's concerned, he's presumed innocent."

"Of that crime, anyway," Rachel said wearily. "There's still the burglary charge. Do you think you can get him off on it?"

"I'm doing the best I can," Carson assured her. "I would like to ask you some more questions, though."

Rachel's face took on an expression of distaste before she could smooth it away. "If it will help to clear Alex, then I'll answer any you have."

"Do you know where Alex was last night?"

"He said that he would be having supper with you. Didn't he?" Rachel sounded alarmed.

"Yes, of course," Carson assured her. "I was wondering if you could tell me where he went after we parted ways."

"I wouldn't know. Probably home. He has his own place." Rachel frowned. "Eleanor's house was burglarized again last night, wasn't it?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so. I'm afraid it's worse than the other times, too. Gavin Wells, the guard on duty, was attacked. He's in the hospital."

Rachel put her hands over her face and turned away for a moment. "They don't think Alex did this, too?"

"If they do, they haven't said anything yet to him or to me. It wouldn't hurt to know in advance if he has an alibi."

"You'll have to ask him." Rachel shook her head as she stepped farther into the living room. "I wish none of this had ever happened. It's been nothing but a headache ever since Eleanor died, between the wills and the burglaries. I'll just never understand why. Jackson and Heidi have plenty of money. The only reason they forged that will was pride! They couldn't bear to be left out."

"You know, accusing them of forgery without evidence could get you into trouble yourself," Carson warned her.

Rachel's eyes flashed angrily. "But we know it's a forgery. It has to be! Eleanor would have never left her money to those…"

She broke off as a man came into the room. Considering his resemblance to Alex, Nancy guessed that he must be Eliot, Alex's father.

"What's going on?" he asked. "Alex isn't in any more trouble, is he?"

"No more than before," Carson replied before introducing the man to Nancy, confirming her guess. "We're just trying to get some more information."

Eliot shook his head. "That's all you've done so far is get more information. Does the prosecution have a case or not?"

"It's not quite so simple as that," Carson told him. "Especially now with the burglary that happened last night." He explained what had happened.

Eliot's face twitched in a way that Nancy thought was strange, although she wasn't sure what it meant. She watched him more closely than ever.

"Surely, you don't think it was my son who did this?" Eliot demanded.

"I'd like to speak to him about it and hear his side of the story before I think anything one way or another," Carson replied. "The only trouble is that he doesn't seem to be answering his phone."

"Well, he's not hiding here, if that's what you think," Eliot retorted.

Nancy knew her dad well enough to see that he wasn't impressed, although he was doing a good job of remaining neutral in expression and tone.

"I'm trying to help Alex," Carson said. "It would be helpful to have your cooperation. Do you know where Alex was last night?"

"With you."

"After that?" Carson prompted, showing no sign of impatience that anyone but Nancy could have picked up on.

"I wouldn't know," Eliot insisted.

Carson tried a little longer, but both Eliot and Rachel insisted they knew nothing about the incident the night before, except that they were certain Alex couldn't have been involved. Finally, Carson decided they weren't going to learn anything more here, and he and Nancy took their leave.

"So what do we try next?" Nancy asked as they returned to the car.

"We'll have to try talking to Jackson and his family," Carson said. "I have to warn you: this one's not going to be very pleasant."

"Less so than Eliot and Rachel even?" Nancy asked with a slight grin.

Carson shook his head in disgust. "I don't know what the problem is with them. I'm sure they know where Alex is, but I don't see why they won't tell me."

They were both thoughtful as they drove to Jackson Marquette's home. His home was just as large and sophisticated as Eleanor's and Eliot's were.

"None of the Marquettes are short on money, are they?" Nancy commented as they got out of the car.

"Hardly," Carson agreed, "but that's never stopped anyone from wanting more. I'm glad I don't have to unravel the whole will tangle."

"I'm not so sure," Nancy replied. "It looks like the burglaries are probably someone inside the family, and so the will is almost certainly a factor."

"What makes you think so?"

"The thief apparently knew the combination to the safe. Hardly anyone outside the family would have a chance to learn that. Besides, the burglar seems to be looking for something in particular. Only someone close to Eleanor would know about it, apparently."

"I'm starting to think so, too," Carson agreed.

They had reached the door now, and Carson rang the bell. There was a long pause, and then the door opened. A teenage girl was standing there. Her dark eyes were wide and intense.

"You're Carson Drew." It didn't sound like she meant it to be a question.

"That's right. You must be Cecilia Marquette."

"My dad's not going to be happy that you're here," the girl said in a low voice.

She had barely finished speaking when there was a sound of footsteps from the hall behind her and a man emerged from a doorway. He was rather shorter than Eliot Marquette and his hair was a lighter color and his face was even more sour, but Nancy could see the resemblance between the brothers.

"What are you doing here?" Jackson Marquette demanded without pausing for pleasantries.

"I just have a few questions for you, Mr. Marquette," Carson replied politely. "It will only take a few minutes if you can spare them."

"I can't," Jackson retorted. "I don't have anything to say to you now or at any time."

He shoved the door closed with emphatic force.