Less Than a Treason

by Mary Birk

  There was a lot of that going on. “Has he actually been spotted there?”

  “Going into the country last week but not since then. We’re assuming he’s at the house, but we don’t have any real proof. It’s a big place, gated, and there’s a long road into a house surrounded by a forest of trees. The Germans are keeping us posted, but no actual sighting of him since he was picked up by a car at the airport.”

  “Can you set up a conference call for Monday? With the Germans and the Americans?”

  “Will do.”

  “Harry, the more I think about it, the more I don’t think Von Zandt’s involved in Pooley’s murder.”

  “No?”

  “I’m sure Von Zandt isn’t sending flowers to the grave, but I don’t think he did this. There’s no advantage to him.”

  “I don’t know about that. It would send the message that Von Zandt’s not a man to mess with.”

  “Yes, if people knew Pooley’s connection to Von Zandt, but I don’t think that was widely known. Pooley’s murder feels more personal than that. Pooley was more useful to Von Zandt alive than dead.” Reid paused. “Here’s an interesting thought—from my wife, actually, and I think she might be right.”

  Harry laughed. “You have Lady Anne working on Christmas as well, guv? Doing police work? You are a slave driver.”

  Reid didn’t bother to correct his sergeant’s obvious assumption things had been patched up between him and his wife. “I mentioned his losses in hedge funds to her. She said it was more like Von Zandt to be the one who cooked up the bogus hedge funds than one who got duped by them. That he might have invested and lost his money as a blind. I went back over everything we have looking at it from that angle and I think there’s a good chance she’s right. Can you have Oscar and Frank check that out? I’m emailing you my notes on what I’ve found on that so far.”

  “Will do.”

  “Now tell me what else we know about Pooley. I’ve some information on him as well from this end, so I’ll fill in anything I have as we go along.”

  “Lived alone, as you know. There was a short marriage years ago—when he was young. Now, nothing. He worked all the time. Entertained clients and worked. He was discreet about his love life. No companion names as yet. He may have been paying for love, so as not to have any names linked to his, but if he was, he was doing it in cash. No money trail.”

  “A few of the guests here at Dunbaryn knew him, and I’ve been asking some questions. He was to sponsor a charity event for the art museum in February, inviting clients and potentials. I’ll fax you the guest list he submitted. Some of the people on the list are here as well. I’ll talk to them—I’ll circle their names so you know which ones I’m taking care of. Stirling’s on that list as well. I’ve talked to him about Pooley and about his pretty face being caught on camera at the scene.”

  “Did he say why he was in the building?” Harry laughed. “No, don’t tell me. I’ll bet I can guess. I’ve seen the tenant list.”

  “Your guess?”

  “Felicity?”

  “Aye.”

  Harry sighed. “I’d like to be him for one night.”

  “You’re doing fine.”

  “Maybe, but not in the same arena.”

  “I’ll check back with you tomorrow.” Reid hung up and looked at the clock on his computer. Good, time for people to start gathering for the meal. He was glad Christmas supper would be more casual. To give the staff some respite after the earlier dinner production, it would be a buffet, and seating would be more relaxed. He’d have a chance to see Michael and talk to Anne.

  Maybe he could take her aside and they could go somewhere and talk by themselves. If not today, maybe tomorrow. He had a week before she was supposed to go back to the States. A lot could happen in a week.

  Chapter 34

  BUT REID DIDN’T see Anne at supper either. Her mother and sisters came down with the baby and gave him to Reid. There’d been a definite closing of the ranks on her behalf against him. He’d tried to talk to them, but her whole family, except for the children, had perfected that glazed eye thing, where they could look at you like you didn’t exist. When Michael got tired and hungry, they said their goodnights and took him upstairs to Anne. He thought about making another attempt to talk to Anne, but he had a feeling he’d get the door slammed in his face by one of her sisters. He’d wait until later, when they’d be more likely to have gone to their own rooms.

  He found Thomas Haney in the billiards room with his father, John Stirling, and some of the other guests. Mellow jazz music floated in the air with the cigar smoke.

  His father smiled, but Reid could see the worry. “We’ve been wondering what became of you.”

  “Had a walk.” Reid went over to the tray set up with coffee and poured himself an espresso. He leaned against the side table as he drank it in two swallows, then put the cup down.

  “Thomas, I was wondering if I could talk with you for a few minutes.”

  “Certainly.” Haney waited expectantly for Reid to go on.

  Reid gestured to the door. “Let’s go out here.”

  Haney looked puzzled, but grabbed his drink and followed Reid out of the room to a small sitting alcove off the hallway. They sat down, and Haney looked at him to begin.

  “Your name came up on the guest list of a recent murder victim. As chance would have it, it’s my investigation, and so I thought perhaps we could discuss what your connection to the victim was.”

  Haney took a drink of his whiskey. “Pooley?”

  “Yes.”

  “As he’s the only murder victim I know, that was an easy guess.”

  “How do you know him?”

  “Through Pippa, actually.”

  “Pippa? How would she know him?”

  “She got his name from Miranda as someone who was supposed to be good at investments.”

  “Why wouldn’t Miranda have recommended Rodney instead?”

  “Pippa was looking for someone partner level. I’m sure Rodney’s fine, but that wasn’t the level she was looking for.”

  “For you and Pippa?”

  He shook his head. “For the Earl.”

  “Dad was looking for an investment broker and went to Pippa for a name?” This made no sense. His father had longstanding contacts in the financial industry. He wouldn’t have gone to his daughter for recommendations. “Why?”

  “I’m not sure. He only lets me in on small windows of information unless it’s about the distillery. I’m just a son-in-law.”

  “Please tell me the Earl didn’t invest with him.”

  Haney shrugged. “You’d have to ask him. Or Pippa might know. She’s kept it private.”

  “You met Pooley?”

  “Yes. He took us to dinner and invited us to a few things. Was this invitation list for a fancy dress ball?”

  “It was.”

  “Pippa was looking forward to going to that.”

  “She was?”

  “She likes that kind of thing. I hate wearing costumes but when you’re married, you make compromises; I drag her to football games.”

  Reid wondered why every other man he knew seemed to be able to get along with women.

  “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure.”

  “Did you see the gift I gave my wife?”

  “Of course. Pippa’s eyes bugged out. You made the rest of us look like cheapskates.”

  “Anne hated it.”

  “How do you know?”

  “She wouldn’t put it on, and she got all frosty with me after that—even more than she had been already. I thought giving her the gift would be a way of trying to make things up with her a bit, but in-stead it made her completely shut down with me.”

  “I guess that makes sense. I’m sure I’m not supposed to know, but everyone knows you’ve asked her for an annulment.”

  “How the hell does everyone know?”

  “Don’t be daft, Terrence. You can’t keep that kind of thin
g a secret in a house like this. But rest assured, I didn’t hear it from Pippa. She’s like the tomb about whatever you two talk about. However, I have plenty of other sources.”

  Reid waved that away. “All right, but why does it make sense she got more frosty with me when I gave her the gift? It was supposed to be a peace offering.”

  “Asking a woman who’s just had your child for an annulment is cause enough for a permanent ice age, but if you’re serious about chucking her out, why get her something that costs a bloody fortune and matches her wedding ring? It’s not like she can wear the ring anymore. It’s going to remind her of the ring she can’t wear.”

  “You noticed that?”

  “You didn’t? And you’re a detective. That’s pitiful, Reid.”

  “I’m apparently the only person who didn’t see it.”

  Haney smiled. “Actually, Pippa noticed it.”

  “What else have you heard?”

  “What are you interested in knowing? Give me a subject.”

  “Don’t be an arse. You know what subject.”

  “You and Anne, I’d guess as you appear to be in high heat on the subject.”

  “It happens to be a particular interest of mine.”

  “Censored or uncensored? I’m keeping in mind you’ll be my next employer when you’re the earl.”

  “You may as well tell me the uncensored version.”

  “All right, then. Most of us have figured out why the pregnancy was a secret as we can all count.”

  Reid groaned.

  “We’ve also figured out it’s your boy—not only because he looks like you, but because you wouldn’t let a non-Reid be in line to be earl. So, you’ve obviously confirmed he’s your child.”

  Reid put his head in his hands.

  “Everyone but you seems to know you’re out of your mind in love with your wife, as you made abundantly clear when you danced with her last night.” Haney took a drink of his whiskey and smiled. “That last dance probably was the cause of a lot of us getting lucky later.”

  Reid shook his head.

  “We all know you didn’t get lucky as you came back with fire in your eyes, then disappeared by yourself, coming back later to drink whiskey and let Miranda flirt with you while you glowered.” Haney took another gulp of his own whiskey.

  “You’re enjoying this way too much.”

  “I am, indeed. To go on, we all know Miranda didn’t get lucky because you’re you and you don’t do that kind of thing.”

  “Do people have nothing to do but watch us?”

  “You had to expect that, Terrence. It’s the main topic of conversation around here.”

  “What’s the consensus on how Anne feels now?”

  “Right now, no one thinks there’s a chance in hell she’ll stay till New Year’s. Sorry. Do I still have a job?”

  “Fuck, Haney. What do I do now?”

  “I’d recommend groveling.”

  Chapter 35

  AMAZINGLY, Darryl even got along with Miranda, Lance thought. He didn’t know how his friend did it, but Miranda was almost flirtatious with him. She obviously didn’t realize he and Darryl were together.

  The four of them were watching a movie in the media room, and Miranda passed around a joint. The lit end glowed red in the dark room, and the flickering light from the movie they were watching illuminated the group sporadically, giving the room an intimate quality. Long leather couches curved in rows in front of the screen, but they’d all taken seats together on the same couch. Miranda was lying back with her head in Rodney’s lap. Darryl sat where her feet lay, with Lance next to him. Miranda raised her eyebrows when Lance took his turn with the joint.

  “I didn’t know you did this, little brother.”

  “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Miranda.” Her superior attitude annoyed him, especially in front of Darryl.

  “Ooh—talking back. This is new.”

  Darryl looked at her with that languid sexiness that got even more pronounced when he was stoned. “Lance is probably too nice to you, Miranda. You need a firm hand.”

  She took a hit, then exhaled slowly. “How would you know?”

  Definitely flirting, Lance thought.

  “I know.” Darryl turned to Lance and winked, doing that smirky thing he did. Like they were the only two people in on a secret.

  Miranda missed it, of course. The self-involved twit.

  She handed the joint over her head to Rodney. “Maybe you should show me.”

  Lance shook his head. How dumb could Miranda be? Darryl wouldn’t be interested in her in a trillion years.

  “Maybe I should.”

  Rodney handed the joint to Darryl. “Can we just watch the film without all the chatter?”

  “Sorry.” Miranda wiggled herself around to face the screen. “I’m surprised they have even a flick like this here. Usually they’re heavy on the classics with a side dish of Disney.”

  Lance tried to laugh, but it came out more like a giggle. Mortifying, but when he smoked weed, it just did that to him. “Darryl brought it with him.” The movie was good. Violent, sexy, exciting.

  “A lot better than the old black and whites the Earl favors. Good invite, Lance.” Miranda gestured in Darryl’s direction.

  The unexpected and uncustomary praise hit Lance like a warm wave against his chest. He wasn’t sure what he’d ever done to make her so antagonistic toward him, but maybe she’d gotten over it. He liked this friendlier sister a lot better. Maybe it was Darryl being here that made her be nicer. Darryl made everything nicer.

  “Shh. Watch the flick.” Darryl lifted Miranda’s bare feet into his lap. Eyes on the screen, he started massaging one foot.

  “That feels so good.” Miranda gave a little moan, stretched out with pleasure as Darryl’s hands moved back and forth.

  Lance was fascinated by this side of Miranda he rarely saw. He’d never been included in a group she considered her equals before, but now he saw she could be fun. This must be why most people seemed to like her. She’d just never wasted it on him when she thought of him as a kid. Things were different now he was older. Lance took another toke from the joint, enjoying watching Darryl charm Miranda, just as they’d planned. He knew he didn’t need to be jealous. No matter how Darryl acted with other people, he was the only one Darryl really cared about.

  “Getting high turns you on, doesn’t it, Miranda?” Darryl’s hands traveled further up, extending the massage to her legs.

  Miranda smiled a slow, wide smile and arched up. Abruptly, Rodney stood up, almost dropping Miranda’s head on the couch cushion. Despite the jolt, Miranda laughed, and her eyes were teasing. “Don’t be mad, Rodney. Come back.”

  “I need some air.” He strode to the door.

  “Don’t be mad. Come back.” She giggled and nudged Darryl’s lap with her toe. “He’s definitely mad.”

  “You think?” Darryl’s hands slid further and further up Miranda’s black leggings.

  Darryl put a hand on Lance’s thigh. “Why don’t you go see what Rodney’s doing? Talk him into coming back?”

  “Do you really think he’s mad? I think maybe he went to see Krystal.”

  “Krystal went to bed a while ago. Just go check on him.”

  Miranda added, “Find some wine or something, while you’re at it.”

  “Red or white?”

  “No matter.” She closed her eyes. “We’ll rewind the movie when you get back so you don’t miss anything.”

  Darryl pulled his shirt off over his head. “It’s hot in here. Maybe you could bring back some ice too.”

  “Okay.” Lance had that floating high feeling. “I’ll be right back.”

  “Don’t hurry.” Darryl winked at him. “We have all night. Close the door on your way out.”

  Lance finally found Rodney in the billiards room, playing by himself.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Want to play?” Rodney had a drink sitting on a little table next to the billiard t
able. “Pour yourself a drink and grab a cue.”

  “Okay.”

  They played in silence for a while.

  Finally, Lance spoke. “Miranda seems to like Darryl. My dad does too.”

  Rodney nodded. “Good.”

  “Do you?”

  “He seems fine.”

  Lance decided to confide in his brother. “He’s not just a friend, you know.”

  Rodney smiled. “I figured that out. If he makes you happy, that’s fine. Life can be fucking shitty without someone in your corner.”

  “Yes.” He was surprised by Rodney’s vehemence.

  “He is in your corner?”

  Lance nodded and took a drink of whiskey. “He’s different than me, though. Sometimes he scares me a little.”

  “Scares you? How?”

  “He’s just so much more into everything. Like there’re no boundaries. I wish I could be more like that. But it’s scary.”

  “How so?”

  “Sometimes he wants me to do things that scare me.”

  “Drugs?”

  Lance nodded. “We do a lot of coke. Some other things, too. My marks are going to be bad this term. But it’s hard to say no to him. He’s so much fun. Exciting, you know.”

  “Be careful of the drugs, little brother. They can be hard to get away from.”

  “I will.” Lance took another drink of whiskey. “Can I tell you something you can’t tell anyone else?”

  “Of course, you’re my brother. Tell me.”

  “He keeps talking about us doing something. Me doing something. I know he doesn’t mean it, but . . .”

  “What?”

  Lance needed to tell someone. “Promise you won’t be shocked or tell anyone else.”

  “Promise.” Rodney listened without saying a word while Lance unburdened himself. When he finished, Rodney patted him on the back. “I’m sure he’s not serious. Don’t worry about it. Let’s go back down.”

  Before they left the billiards room, Lance grabbed the bottle of whiskey from behind the bar, and remembering the rest of his mission, reached into the little refrigerator for some ice to take back.

  The room was still dark and the movie still playing when they came back. The light from the film flickered, illuminating Darryl’s naked muscular chest. His arms were spread across the back of the couch. Miranda’s legs were bare of the black leggings, but she was sitting up now. She didn’t look at them as they came in. Lance whispered, so as not to disturb the movie. “We brought whiskey and ice. Anyone want some?”