“I guess that’s the best I could have hoped for.”
“Do you love this married person?”
“I thought I did. But then I found out I was just a brief diversion from a troubled marriage.”
“I’m sorry.”
“If my father had ever known…it would have killed him. He was a very religious man. Adultery is a mortal sin.”
“I’m not saying what you did was right. But you have to lead your own life, not the one your father may have wanted for you.”
“It’s…difficult to meet men when you’re…”
“…a highly successful woman? Yeah, I’ve seen that. Not your problem, though. The fault lies with the guys. But we’re not all like that, just so you know.”
“But the results of their shortcomings impact squarely on women like me.”
“I guess so. But the world of dating is not exactly my field of expertise.”
“But catching killers is. And since Draymont and Lancer were blackmailing people, their targets would have motivation to kill them.”
“Yes, they would. Do you have information to share on that score?”
“I might. Under certain conditions.”
“Such as?”
“Such as you doing more to find out what happened to my father.”
“Okay. Deal.”
She looked surprised. “I didn’t think you would give up that easily.”
“I didn’t give up squat.”
“I don’t understand,” she said, clearly confused.
“I think whatever happened to your father is connected to my case. So if I solve one, I’ll solve the other.”
“How can you be so sure about that?”
“The currency of blackmail is money. Lancer and Draymont were in that business. The problem is they ran into a mark that bit back, hard. And stuffed that currency right down their throats. But not any old money; they used the currency of your father’s homeland. So I’m thinking whatever Lancer and Draymont had on whoever killed them ties right back to Kanak Roe.”
Chapter 58
L?ATE THE NEXT MORNING DECKER was waiting for White at the airport with a cup of coffee for her.
“Now that’s service,” said White, accepting the drink.
“Things to fill you in on,” he said as they walked out of the terminal and got into the car.
He told White about his conversation with Kasimira Roe and the blackmailing done to her by Lancer and Draymont.
“Damn,” she exclaimed. “That lady really held a lot back.”
“She probably thought she was caught between a rock and a hard place. And she still has her father’s disappearance to contend with.”
“So we know what Draymont and Lancer were involved in. People would have motivation to kill them both.”
“What about Judge Cummins?” asked Decker.
“I know you think it was two different killers, but I’ve never fully agreed with that. It makes a lot more sense if it were just the one.”
“A lot more sense does not always equate to the truth.”
“So, are we back at square one again?” she said.
“Do you think cases have this fine linear quality to them?”
“No, but it would be nice to be making some progress. Whoever killed them might have been blackmailed. That’s a prime motivation. We just have to find out who that was and we have our murderer.”
Decker didn’t appear to be listening.
“I said—”
“I heard what you said. I agree that blackmail is the motivation. For at least the murders of Lancer and Draymont.”
“But not Cummins?”
“Maybe a stronger motivation than blackmail.”
“Which is?”
“I’ll let you know when I think of it. And to my mind Langley’s alibi is a little shaky.”
“How so? Would he have had time to do the murders and get back to her house?”
“No, if Gloria Chase is telling the truth.”
“And you have reason to think she’s not?”
“We might find one,” said Decker.
“Where are we going now?” she asked.
“To check on some money.”
*
The internationally renowned investment house was large and distinguished and above reproach, or at least its marketing materials said so. Its Ocean View branch was housed in a granite building with marble floors and solid wooden walls and elaborate furnishings and other decorations. Oil paintings looked down upon Decker and White as they walked to their destination.