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Marshal Bradley nodded. “Did you know he was the last man to see your aunt alive?”
“Yes, I did. Diego himself told me that.” Isabella frowned. “I was heartsick because I knew she’d been having dizzy spells and worried that perhaps one of those caused her fall.”
“We know now it wasn’t a spell.”
“What?” Mama asked before Isabella could pose the question.
“There was a witness to the fall. One of the young kitchen helpers. He didn’t see who it was, but he heard someone on the stairs with your aunt. A man. He doesn’t know if the man pushed her or not, but there was some sort of fight—harsh words. Your aunt fell, and the man apparently left her there to die.”
“Oh my word!” Mama locked gazes with Isabella. “Did Diego say anything about that?”
“No, I swear he didn’t. When I mentioned her dizziness, he thought it made sense that she might have fallen. But he sworehe was already gone and never saw her fall.” She looked at the marshal. “I presume the boy you’re speaking of is Antonio?”
“That’s right. He’d been sent with the menu to get Miss Garcia’s approval. He was standing in the hall archway. He’d stopped because he heard arguing. He recognized Miss Garcia’s voice but not the other person’s.”
Isabella felt a shiver go up her spine. Was Diego capable of cold-blooded murder? Perhaps Aunt Josephina was speaking to one of the servants and lost her balance. Perhaps the fall so frightened the other person that they fled the scene before anyone could find out they’d been there.
“Do you believe Mr. Morales capable of murder?” the marshal asked.
Isabella again looked at her mother. “I don’t know. I’ve learned many things about Diego that I never thought him capable of, but I cannot say for certain with regard to murder. The other things are trivial compared to that.”
“What things?”
“My father said he has debts.”
“That’s been established.”
Isabella felt saddened by the confirmation. “He also said Diego may have ... that he might have fathered some illegitimate children.”
“We do have several women attesting to that, but because of their positions in society, there is no way of proving it.”
“Those things hardly suggest murder. Did the boy see Diego leave?” Mama asked.
“No. He was too frightened and ran back to the kitchen. He didn’t even tell them Miss Garcia had fallen because of his fear.”
“So it might not have been Diego. He might already have gone, just as he said.”
Mama’s comment hinted at the possibility of Diego’sinnocence, but Isabella wasn’t sure he deserved it. Isabella had seen Diego’s anger—particularly toward his father and brothers. He had once gone into a rage in front of her when his brother called him worthless.
“Do you know any reason Mr. Morales and Miss Garcia would have fought?” Marshal Bradley asked.
Isabella shook her head. “I don’t. They got along very well in my company. Diego came over nearly every week. We’d sometimes play cards, or he and I would take turns playing the piano.” She felt some of her fears fade. “I know of no reason they would have quarreled. My aunt had no business with him, and he none with her that I know of. Surely if they were fighting, Antonio would have heard what they were saying.”
“He heard an exchange of words, but he doesn’t—”
She interrupted. “Speak English.” She turned to her mother. “He came to work for Aunt Josephina so he could learn.”
“I wish we could help you, Marshal Bradley, but in all honesty, I doubt my husband would be able to offer any more information than I have. If you wish to speak to Diego, he’s at the mine. I can give you the manager’s name and permission to show you where he lives. You can have him brought out for a discussion.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Garcia. My next question was regarding his whereabouts.”
Mama got to her feet. “I’ll write a note you can give to the manager. It should be all the help you need to get what you want.”
After the marshal left, Isabella couldn’t help worrying about Diego’s guilt. Had he killed her aunt?
“That was quite the ordeal,” Mama said, returning to the music room. “Are you all right?”
“I just can’t believe Diego would have hurt Auntie. Theygot along quite well. I know of no reason they should have fought.”
“Well, it’s out of our hands. Whatever Diego has done or hasn’t done, God alone knows. However, I don’t want him here at the house again.”
“Nor do I.”
Isabella thought immediately of Aaron. How she wished he were here. What if the marshal spoke to Diego and angered him? What if he felt it was their fault and he wanted to exact revenge?
“When will Aaron be back from San Marcial?” She looked at her mother, knowing her fear would be evident.
Mama shook her head. “I don’t know. I’ll speak to your father and let him know what has happened. If he’s concerned, I’m sure he’ll know what to do.”
