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had been hard on her aunt. Not only had she lost a beloved niece, but the killing had upset the world she had made for herself and her husband. She didn’t deserve the sorrow, nor the notoriety. Perhaps that was why she put social concerns ahead of finding her niece’s killer. But that didn’t make it right. Beret knew that she herself would sacrifice anything to find out who had murdered Lillie. But perhaps that was to assuage her guilt. Should she honor her relatives’ wishes and return to New York, letting the Denver police find Lillie’s killer? No. She would not do such a thing. She wanted to chide her aunt, but before she could find the right words, her uncle interrupted her thoughts.
    “Our duty is to Lillie, Varina, and if Beret can help find justice for the poor child, I have no objection to it.” He drank his brandy in a single swallow and poured more into the glass. “I admit I was surprised and not in the least pleased when Detective Sergeant McCauley told me you had interfered”—he turned to Beret—“and, my dear, I very nearly decided to forbid you to continue. But I know how like a mother you were to Lillie. You knew her better than anyone. And I was sure my opposition would have no effect on you. Besides, I believe you might actually help find your sister’s killer.”
    “How could she do that?” Varina asked.
    “Beret is reasoned and smart, and she knows the underworld as few women of our class do.”
    “Then you don’t object?” Beret asked.
    The judge shook his head. “Make sure you aid instead of hinder the investigation, but I have complete faith in you.” He paused and added, “I only ask that you be aware of your aunt’s feelings and do nothing to upset her.” He smiled at his wife, who rose.
    “Then I shall leave this to the two of you. I am not anxious to hear the particulars of Lillie’s death once again. I have a headache. Don’t be too long, dear. Beret has had a very tiring day,” she told her husband, then embraced her niece, saying she hoped the young woman would rest well. She left the room, and the judge stared at the closed door for a long time.
    “This has been very hard on her.”
    “And on you, too, Uncle.”
    “Yes.” Without asking if she wanted more brandy, the judge refilled Beret’s glass. “Sit down.”
    Beret seated herself on a footstool beside her uncle’s chair. “It’s my fault, you know. I ordered Lillie out of the house.” Beret’s voice quivered, and she cleared her throat. She would not allow herself self-pity. She asked in a voice that was barely audible, “Did Lillie tell you about…?”
    “Yes. I don’t like the man, never did, to be truthful. Lillie blamed him, of course, and said you had wronged her, that he was at fault. She said the two of you had a row over it, that you refused to believe her to be an innocent, and you forced her out of the house. She had no choice but to come to us.”
    “And Aunt Varina?”
    “She knows, too. We heard only Lillie’s side of the story, of course, and I have been a judge long enough to know there are always two sides, so I did not believe the entirety of what Lillie said. Perhaps one day you will tell us how you view it. We felt sorry for her, and it was our duty to take her in, although we would have, no matter the situation. You know how we have always felt about the two of you, how we have treated you like daughters in this home.”
    Beret nodded. Her uncle had always thought of her happiness. He had supported her after her parents died, when she wanted to stay in New York with Lillie and run the mission, instead of moving to Denver. He had even agreed that Beret should raise Lillie. “She had you and Aunt Varina, at any rate, even if I’d turned against her.” Beret stopped, because her voice was unsteady. She wished with all her heart that she had not forced Lillie to leave.
    The judge leaned forward and gripped Beret’s shoulder, until she looked up at him. “You can’t blame