Less Than a Treason

by Mary Birk

  She carefully unwrapped the box. He heard her inhale sharply when she saw the diamond and sapphire necklace.

  He pointed in the box. “There are earrings there too. I thought blue sapphires with the diamonds for it being a boy.”

  “Thank you.” But now her smile turned thin and seemed forced.

  “Do you want to try them on? I’ll help you.”

  She shook her head. “I will later.” She looked down at her black stretch pants and red cashmere sweater. “This outfit doesn’t deserve such bling. But thank you. They’re beautiful.” She closed the box, put it down, and looked away.

  Chapter 29

  “LET’S GO somewhere I can have a cigarette in private.”

  Rodney’s arms were full of presents from the drawing room on their way to his mother’s room upstairs. “I thought you’d quit. Didn’t you say you were going in for cigars?”

  “Don’t you be tiresome, too. I’ve almost quit. Where do you think Juliette won’t mind cigarette smoke?”

  “Outside.”

  “Outside? But it’s snowing madly. She’s always been so anti-cigarettes, but I think she’d make an exception for Christmas, don’t you?”

  “You know her better than I do, but I think she only allows cigars in the house, and those only when the Earl himself is the instigator.”

  “What about that new room with the video equipment? Surely she wouldn’t mind in there.”

  “The media room? I doubt they’d appreciate the smell in there. It’s not as heavenly to most people as it is to you.” He smiled to let her know he wasn’t criticizing her. “Let’s grab coats and boots from the mud room, and I’ll take you out to the greenhouse.”

  She made a face. “Really?”

  “Don’t worry, it will be warm there. Follow me.” He put the stack of presents down on the table in the reception room just as Bernard was coming through. “Bernard, would you mind terribly taking these things up to my mother’s room?”

  “Not at all, sir.”

  He pulled Krystal’s camera out of his pocket, and got Bernard’s promise to return it to the girl.

  Rodney’s mother took his arm. “Let’s go, then.”

  They made their way through the kitchen to the mud room where coats and boots were stored, donned the necessary gear, and sallied forth. Trudging out in the snow, Rodney directed his mother to put her feet in his footsteps so she wouldn’t sink so deeply on the barely visible trail to the greenhouse. The wind was blowing and the snow coming down too fast for them to be able to talk, but when Rodney turned and looked at her, they both laughed. She was a sight with the big corduroy jacket and enormous rubber boots. The clothing Rodney had managed to scrounge for himself was much more appropriate, both in size and style.

  He opened the door to the greenhouse for her and quickly shut it to keep out the cold and the blowing snow.

  Lady Flora patted down her hair. “This smoking in exile might get me to quit smoking altogether.” She pulled out a package of cigarettes from her sweater pocket. Shaking one out of the packet, she looked at Rodney. “Want one?”

  He shook his head, pulled out a lighter, and held it to her cigarette.

  She put the cigarette in her mouth, took a long drag, and exhaled slowly. “It’s been too long.”

  “So you haven’t really quit?”

  “Almost. I know it’s a disgusting habit, but I love it.”

  “Not your fault. An addiction, I’m sure.” He grinned.

  “Truly.”

  Rodney walked slowly down the rows of plantings near them. “This is amazing. They’re starting all their plants for spring already.”

  “Juliette runs an organized estate. I think she’d like to get her hands on her daughter-in-law to help her with some of her garden plans, but she’s never allowed to talk to her.”

  “She isn’t?”

  “Not these past few years, and now, with all this, it doesn’t look like there’s much hope of a garden consult.”

  “I suppose not.” He peered down at one of the tags on the plantings. “Mother, your solicitor said last night to tell you he’d be here Monday to meet with you. What are you meeting with him about?”

  “Nothing you need to worry about.”

  “Don’t you trust me?”

  “I’m just tweaking my estate plan.”

  “How so?”

  She hesitated a little too long. “Frankly, I wasn’t surprised at what you told me about my investment with you being such a disaster. Jeremy saw something in the news about it and brought it to my attention.”

  “I would have told you earlier, but I was trying to see if there was anything I could do to fix it.”

  “I understand. But it made me think, and I asked Jeremy if he could make sure my estate plan is structured in a trust rather than in outright bequests to protect my beneficiaries.”

  “A trust? Split between the three of us equally?”

  “Fairly, but not necessarily equally. Lance’s portion would be set up differently because of his age, and because his father is not likely to leave him as much as yours will to you and Miranda. But rest assured, the way we’re doing it now will work out better for you in the long run, because your creditors won’t be able to access any of the money.”

  “My creditors?”

  “Didn’t you tell me you’re worried about that client coming after you? This would make it impossible for him to get your inheritance.”

  “I see.”

  “You’re going to talk with your father about your situation, aren’t you?” She studied him as she ground out her cigarette on the greenhouse floor.

  “This afternoon.”

  “Good.”

  “Have you mentioned it to him already?”

  She lit up another cigarette and shook her head, looking away. “I think it’s better coming from you.”

  “You’re probably right. Speaking of Dad, what was all that with Rafe and him the other night?”

  “Who knows? I’m annoyed with your father for arguing with Rafe like that. Generally he behaves so well at these mixed family things.”

  “It was mostly Rafe’s fault. He definitely started it.”

  She inhaled. Then, as she slowly released the smoke, she nodded. “You’re right. It was both of them. With their behavior and your sister’s with Terrence, we’ll be lucky if we’re not all sent packing.”

  “Not our best year so far. What do you think of Krystal?”

  She made a face. “If she Lady Flora’s me one more time, I might be sick.”

  He laughed. “She’s starry-eyed over Reid and Anne and the whole paparazzi thing from last spring. She thinks it’s the most romantic thing she’s ever heard.”

  “I hope she doesn’t mention it to the Reids. We’ve all carefully avoided talking about Terrence’s odd marriage.” Lady Flora looked down at the rough jacket she’d borrowed. “The silly girl hasn’t noticed anything’s off between them?”

  “Probably thinks this is the way our sort act all the time. She was mega-impressed with the gift Terrence gave Anne. Me too. That must have cost a bloody fortune.”

  “He inherited his father’s taste in jewelry. Charles is always giving Juliette the most beautiful pieces.”

  “Miranda was livid. She couldn’t believe he’d bought something like that at the same time he was telling her that he was finished with his marriage. I told Miranda it was probably a guilt present for chucking Anne out after she just had his kid. That calmed her down.”

  “You really think that’s what it was?”

  He shook his head. “I think Miranda’s fooling herself. Reid gave her a CD. That doesn’t say much for his intentions toward her. Last night at the party, Reid was all but marking his territory around his wife. He practically hung a big No Trespassing sign on her.”

  “I noticed. Did you see them dancing? I couldn’t believe they weren’t together again by this morning. If a man danced with me like that, well . . . you don’t want to hear your mother
talk like that.”

  “It doesn’t look good for Miranda.” He sighed. “Maybe I will have one of your cigarettes.”

  She handed him the packet. “I’m glad you’re dating. Miranda still monopolizes your time too much. I was thinking it might be better for both of you if your father sold those flats and got you places not so close.”

  He lit his cigarette. “It’s okay, Mum, don’t worry. We have our own lives.”

  She smiled. “I want grandchildren from you with some girl you fall in love with, dear. Even Krystal would be fine. If you love her, I’ll love her.”

  “Thanks, Mum. You’ll be the first to know.”

  “I’d better warn Terrence about Miranda.”

  “I don’t think talking to him would be a good idea.”

  “I won’t give him details.”

  He shook his head. “He’s not stupid. He can put two and two together, and if he did, it’d be the kiss of death for her chances with him.” He took a deep drag from his cigarette, then released it in small short puffs as he spoke. “Lance told his friend about her being in hospital. The arsehole mentioned it at dinner the other night. Right out loud.”

  “Rodney, watch your language, please.” She spoke automatically, but then seemed to focus on what he said. “You’re not serious? Lance wouldn’t have done that.”

  “He did. No question. He looked embarrassed, but it clearly came from him. Where else could he have heard it?”

  “God.” She threw down her cigarette butt and ground it next to the last one with her big rubber boot. “You don’t think he told Darryl about the abortion?” His mother looked down the rows of plantings, but Rodney could tell she wasn’t really seeing them. “Or about who the father was? I’ve never told your father. I think it would be too much for him.”

  “How could Lance possibly know about that?”

  “Maybe he heard us talking.”

  Rodney went over and put his arms around her. “I don’t think Lance knows.”

  “I think it would be best for everyone if Miranda simply gave up on Terrence. I don’t think he’s right for her or she’s right for him. She’s high maintenance, and he’d be a difficult man to be married to. Like father, like son.”

  “Charles? He’s so mellow.”

  “He’s mellowed now, but he gave Juliette fits for years.”

  “I’d have never guessed it. About what?”

  “It was years ago. Let’s go back to the house.”

  Chapter 30

  THE SHARP CRACK of billiard balls breaking rang through the room. George Greene stepped back, rechalked his cue, contemplating his best shot. “Explain to me exactly what happened.” He handed the chalk to his son.

  “I told you.” Rodney rubbed the chalk over the head of his own cue.

  “Tell me again.” George lined up his first shot, dropped it in the far corner pocket, then methodically set about sinking one shot after the other.

  “I found out about this hedge fund that was bringing incredibly big returns. They were very selective about taking in new investors, but I talked them into taking a couple of my investors on. I put in Mum’s two million and the other investor put in two-and-a half million pounds.”

  George deliberately missed his next shot. “Your shot.” He backed away and gave his son room to maneuver. “All of the money’s gone? Your mum’s two million and this other fellow’s two and a half?”

  Rodney nodded and took the shot. It missed. “The fund collapsed. There’s an investigation going on, but it’s not likely there’ll be any money coming back.”

  “What did the financials on the fund look like?” George took his shot and then another, sinking each one, then called the side corner pocket, dropped the black ball in, ending the game. Shite, why hadn’t he let his son win?

  “I don’t know. Everyone wanted in, and people were making close to twenty-five percent on their investment.” Rodney went over to pour himself a drink. “It looked like it was a sure thing.”

  “The first sign of a fiddle.”

  “The investor was pushing me. He already got a chunk through Pooley, but he wanted more. He sounded so sure. I got a piece of it for him, and it seemed like it would be a good investment for Mum.” Rodney dropped down on to the sofa. George followed and sat beside him.

  “Where was the fund based?”

  “Jersey.”

  George shook his head. “A place well known for its financial shenanigans. Even the secrets have secrets there. Did you do anything to check out the fund?”

  “Of course. It was Mum’s money, so I wanted to be sure. I went to Jersey, met with the manager that ran the fund, and he showed me the figures about the kinds of returns people were getting on their investments. I called some of the investors and they backed up what I’d been told. I thought it looked good.” Rodney put his head in his hands. “I’m sorry.”

  “Now you want your mother to give you another two-and-a-half million so you can pay this other investor back?”

  “As a loan, not just give it to me.”

  “She doesn’t have that kind of cash.”

  “She could get it. She could take it off of my inheritance.”

  “I would think, to be fair, the two million she’s already lost should come out of any inheritance you eventually get. Your sister and half-brother didn’t have anything to do with losing the money, so it’s not fair to them to get penalized for what you did.” He hated to have to teach this lesson to his son, but Rodney needed to feel some of pain for the loss he’d caused. Growing up rich didn’t mean growing up without consequences.

  “That’s fine, if I can just get the money to pay Von Zandt off, I’ll make up for it later.”

  George frowned. Rodney looked more worried than he needed to be. This kind of thing happened all the time, but his son was something of a virgin in this business. People got disappointed, they got mad, but investors had their own consequences to take.

  “Could I borrow it from you, Dad? You have it, don’t you?”

  “I could come up with the cash, but I can’t say it makes much sense to me to give it to your client. Hedge funds are high-risk investments, as I’m sure you advised him.”

  “Of course. But he’s furious and says he’s going to ruin me if I don’t make him whole. Sue me and try to get criminal charges against me.”

  George mulled over everything his son had told him. “I don’t think he has a prayer at getting criminal charges against you for this. Not much chance at a civil suit either. You have all the paperwork advising him of the high-risk nature of the investment, don’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then those are just empty threats. Doing either of those things would be a waste of his time and money. He would just be throwing good money after bad. In your business, every so often you’re bound to have disgruntled investors. As long as you did nothing wrong, there’s no reason for you to worry. You can’t pay off every investor who doesn’t do well in an investment vehicle. You need to explain to him that these things happen, you’re sorry it didn’t work out better for him, and that needs to be the end of it.”

  “He’ll ruin me with the firm.”

  “I doubt it. Your firm will have the same opinion as I do, I can guarantee it. If your bosses give you trouble, tell them I’m moving some of my accounts to you to manage.”

  “You’d do that?”

  “Aye.” He smiled at his son. “Of course, I’ll watch carefully to make sure I’m only in low-risk investments. I take my risks in business, not in the market.” He stood up and patted Rodney’s shoulder. “This too will pass and everything will be fine.”

  His son’s eyes, full of misery, looked up at him. “Right.”

  “Believe me, son. I know about these kinds of things. It’s not a matter of life and death—just money.”

  Chapter 31

  IT WAS JUST after one o’clock. The men, dressed in their Christmas finery, gathered in the drawing room to have a drink and wait for the ladies an
d children to join them at their leisure, as they did every year. The tradition gave the ladies the luxury of being able to take their time dressing without being taxed with the impatience of their men who would rather be having a drink than waiting for the women to make up their faces and arrange their hair.

  The huge fireplace in the dining room was vigorously burning the large Yule log. Crackling flames warmed the room, giving it a cheerful glow. The long table was decorated with a white tablecloth embroidered in gold, and a centerpiece of red and gold ornaments nestled in evergreen branches. The soft light emanating from the white candles set in crystal candelabra reflected in the shiny surfaces of the ornaments and the crystal and silver adorning the table. Each place held a Christmas cracker wrapped in gold paper for the ladies, and silver for the men. At the children’s table, the tablecloth was red, the crackers wrapped with a colorful Father Christmas scene.

  Reid decided this was as good a time as any to get more information out of Rodney about what he knew about Broderick Pooley. It didn’t take much to bring the conversation around to the subject of Pooley.

  “How’s the firm management taking Pooley’s death?”

  “They’re still in shock.”

  “Miranda said he was an important partner. She said he worked closely with you.”

  Rodney nodded. “Ever since I joined the firm. He basically trained me.”

  “You never saw any evidence he used drugs?”

  “None. I didn’t socialize with him unless it was business related, but he didn’t even drink.” He hesitated. “I think he might have had a problem years back.”

  “Did you know any of his friends?”

  “I didn’t really socialize with him.”

  “What about his family?”

  “He was divorced, but I never met his ex-wife.” Rodney took a drink of his whiskey. “This doesn’t sound like idle conversation.”

  “Let’s just say I’m lending the investigating officers a hand.”

  “How can I help?”

  “What do you know about his personal life?”

  “I assume you know he was gay.”

  Reid nodded. “Do you know the name of anyone he was involved with?”