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fashion. It’s going to be really convenient to have someone as knowledgeable as you, madam.”
    “I’ll probably help you break the case,” LeeLee said, looking proud. “Won’t I, Corporal?”
    “You actually might.” Corporal Jager said. “We have no way of finding out who she is, but you might give us a very good lead.”
    “Of course, I still think she’s a spy,” LeeLee said. “She has to be. An attractive woman wearing bright red lipstick? She might as well have wandered in from a movie set.”
    “Did you by any chance happen to see who she came or left with?” Corporal Jager asked.
    “She was mixing around the room like a socialite,” LeeLee said. “So I didn’t get to see who she left with. But I did see who she came with.” Deliberately, dramatically, she took a pause, waiting for Jager to ask her.
    “Who was it?” Corporal Jager asked.
    “That odious man, Hanson,” LeeLee said, looking very satisfied.
    “I see.” Corporal Jager lifted his lip a little and let it fall back down. “Declan, did you see this too?”
    “I didn’t,” Declan said. “When the party started, I was too busy greeting people and mixing. I didn’t notice Hanson till he decided to get drunk and start baiting me.”
    “Ah yes,” Jager said. “The fight.”
    “I don’t intend to press charges,” Declan said. “But...”
    “Actually, he was only verbally harassing you,” Jager said. “Witnesses say you tried to attack him. If someone can sue, it’s Hanson.”
    “Defending your uncle, I see,” Declan said, with a curl of his lip. “Did he pull some strings to get you stationed here?”
    “Not that I’m aware of, no.” Corporal Jager kept his cool. “As a matter of fact, I think he was quite keen that I not be posted here.”
    “Well it's certainly convenient how you keep rescuing him,” Declan said. “Even when Boyd was murdered you were defending Hanson all the time, right?” He looked at Victoria. “I’ve heard Victoria here gave you a piece of her mind.”
    “Oh that she did.” Corporal Jager said. “Are you planning to give me one too? I don’t think you can afford it.”
    “That’s very unprofessional of you.” Declan colored.
    Jager got up, taking his notepad and pen with him. “Thank you for cooperating, I’ll call you both if we need anything.”
    “You will file a report about the missing CD, right?” LeeLee asked.
    “You’d have to come down to the police station if your house was broken into.” Corporal Jager said. “For now, I’m going to ask Mr. Hanson some questions.”
    Staying behind, Victoria turned to speak to Declan and LeeLee.

Chapter 7
    “Is this about your payment?” LeeLee said irritably. “If it is, you can just go away. I have no time for things like that right now.
    “I wanted to see how you liked the food yesterday,” Victoria said. “I also wanted to tell you that it was an absolute honor to be serving at your party. I’ll bet the ancient emperors of Rome would be proud of this one.”
    Immediately, LeeLee softened, blushing and laughing. So Steve had been right, after all, Victoria thought. LeeLee was less concerned about the murder and more annoyed that her grand party had been spoilt.
    “Well, I do have a certain genius for planning these things,” LeeLee said. “It doesn’t come easy. You’re either born with it or you aren’t.”
    “Oh definitely,” Victoria said, flattering her shamelessly. “It’s a kind of aesthetic genius to plan the right party. I feel like it was the best catering job I’ve ever had the pleasure of doing.” This last part wasn’t entirely a lie. Victoria had indeed felt very happy with her work.
    “I have to write you a check, don’t I?” LeeLee, still beaming, tore out a check and signed it. “There you go. Full, with a little bonus on top.”
    “Thank you!” Victoria said, delighted.
    Declan, next to LeeLee, was looking a little upset. “Well, I suppose the food was alright. There was a senator