In response to Nancy's phone call, the butler had summoned all the family members together in the parlor of the Pierce estate . The grandfather clock had just finished striking eight when Nancy walked in to face her suspects .

They were all there, waiting . Jack and Karen sat next to each other . He was holding her hand, although she looked uncomfortable, as if she would gladly free herself if he would loosen his grip .

Philip sat on the sofa, an arm draped around Cecilia, who was nervously picking at her cuticles . Philip gave Nancy a wink and a grin, which she acknowledged with a simple nod of her head . Now was not the time, she knew, to let his charm put her off balance .

On the other side of Cecilia sat Eleanor, fanning herself with her hand . Nancy noticed that the room was rather...