I looked at Douglas and said, “I was just telling Stephanie why I wore this costume again.” Her face went white. I turned to her. “Last year, in this dress, I stood in your pantry looking for a corkscrew, and I heard you on the phone with a jeweler. You told him to make copies of Grandma Ruth’s pearls and sapphire ring before the estate was divided.” Douglas stared at his wife. “The estate jewelry?” he said slowly.

Nobody in the kitchen moved. Stephanie opened her mouth, but no sound came out. I reached into the deep pocket of my black dress and took out a small velvet pouch. “I kept the evidence,” I said. “I wore this costume tonight because it has the only pocket big enough to carry it.” Behind Douglas, the hallway filled with relatives, drawn by the sudden silence.