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to say the murder was well done, many of the video cameras in the secondary stairwell and on the third floor were smashed, and the type of gun that was used is not easily obtained under today’s gun laws, etc.”
    “You think I paid someone to murder Sean.”
    “We have not ruled out anyone, Ms. Rue.”
    It’s probably wildly inappropriate, but at this point I burst out laughing. Emmeline turns her big watery eyes on me as if I’ve gone mad.
    “Have you checked my finances? Go ahead check them. I can barely afford my rent each month, how could I afford a hit man?”
    “So you are offering to turn over your financial records?” Detective Puyn questions.
    “Yes,” I answer while Emmeline shouts a loud, “No.”
    I say yes again, and Emmeline intercedes telling Detective Puyn to get a search warrant if he wants access to my financial records. He states that he would be happy to obtain a search warrant and she responds something to the effect of “I’d like to see you try.”
    “No search warrant, no financial records,” Emmeline states as if that is that. “And now, detective, I think my client has answered all your questions. If you’ll excuse us my client has a job to do. She needs to return to London.”
    “That’s out of the question.” Detective Puyn holds firm. “We may need her for questioning at any time. We need her to stay in the city. I’m sure you can both understand.”
    Emmeline shakes her head. “If she is not charged with anything, she needs to return to work.” She glares at Detective Puyn and flares her nostrils like an enraged bull. Honestly, I think she could pin the man down in nothing flat. Detective Puyn doesn’t look intimidated, instead he turns to me and says, “You are a person of interest in a murder case, Trudy Rue. Do not leave the city or I will have you arrested. Have a great day, ladies, Sargent Fritz will show you out.”
    I stand up in a daze, surely this all a nightmare. Emmeline heads for the door, and I follow right behind.

Chapter 6

    “Lizzie, so good to hear from you,” the Prince says several hours later as he comes on the line. “You were greatly missed at the charity function the other night.”
    I feel a whoosh of relief. Thank God I wasn’t fired from my job when the NYPD called me back to New York. Initially, Buckingham Palace sent a nasty gram to Schnellings informing them the biography was off. They stated that they didn’t want any of the controversy over Sean’s death to touch the Prince. Meg rang them up as soon as she received their message. She said she tried to do some fast talking, but the Palace held firm. The representative for the Palace informed her that,since the replacement biographer was now embroiled in a murder controversy, and the original biographer was dead, Buckingham Palace felt that their contract with Schnellings was null and void. Something must have changed thoug h — perhaps Meg sicced the entire Schnellings’legal department on the m — because a moment later, I received a phone call. It was Alastair saying I could continue with my job. He said I could conduct phone interviews with the Prince as long as I was not arrested. Then he immediately put the Prince on the line.
    In the fog of being named a person of interest in the murder of my ex, it’s hard to know where to begin today’s interview. Phone to ear, I lean back on my bed and stare up at my clothes which hang from a rack over my head.
    “I’m very sorry for the difficult position in which you find yourself, Lizzie,” Alex commiserates. “My legal team has told me that as long as you are not arrested for anything, the contract between the Palace and Schnellings is binding. So, go ahead, ask your questions.”
    Questions? I haven’t had any time to formulate questions. I wouldn’t even know where to begin.
    “How would you like future historians to characterize your reign?” I ask, spitting out more nonsense.
    “I’m sorry, what?”
    “Um, never mind.