A Conundrum

by P. J. Peacock

  ‘He had really gone too far this time, but I used the books as a way to get him to Australia. I’m sorry about Edmondo, he shouldn’t have been touched. He was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. I don’t think Inspector Campbell will ever be able to prove anything definite.’

  Meredith looked around the room, her long lost son, two nieces, Gabriel, Martin, Justin, and finally, Pete who spoke, ‘James knew about the scheme. I might add that I think the contract you were all looking for had something to do with George. I think somehow George found out about the smuggling, and was probably blackmailing Mikael as well. I was hoping this wouldn’t all have to come out, but I should have known you wouldn’t give up, Gabriel. What do you want to do?’

  Suddenly, they were all shouting at Gabe.

  He held up his hand in protest. ‘Stop, stop, stop, let me talk. Meredith, I’m not going to do anything, as Justin said earlier, something should have been done about George years ago, and it should have been one of the executives who had the courage to give the order. It shouldn’t have been allowed to get to the point where you four women were forced to deal with him.’ He turned to Pete and held out his hand. ‘Thank you.’ There was a collective sigh of relief from everyone.

  There was a thoughtful silence in the room, and finally, Gabriel broke the silence. ‘If anything comes of it, the Family will deal with it. Meredith, you and Pete will never be in any danger of exposure. We can manufacture evidence if necessary.’

  Bede jumped to her feet. ‘Do you think this calls for champagne?’

  Hera threw a cushion at her, and they all laughed.

  The End

  Ps If you are interesting in hearing what happens to Damian, look for the next book in the trilogy.