I reached for my cape. “Was he the man I heard with you last night?"
"There was no man. You must have heard the radio."
"I heard a man, too,” Lars said.
"Daddy."
"Honey, you have to tell the truth. So do I."
"What do you mean?” Her eyes narrowed.
"Exactly what I said. Kate and I brought records from the office. I've spent the afternoon examining them. Someone has been stealing."
"Carl."
"Maybe,” I said.
Anger contorted her perfect features. “Shut your mouth.” She ran to the door and slammed it as she left.
Lars put his hand on my shoulders. “What if she's the one?"
"That will be your decision."
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Chapter 10
~
La Decision Dorada
-
The next morning I woke to gray skies and an ache in my leg, the one I'd broken nearly two years ago. Before dressing I took a hot bath, but that did little to soothe the ache. We were due some weather. I said as much to Lars when he entered the kitchen.
"I fear you're right,” he said.
"Don't tell me you have bones that give you storm warnings?"
He chuckled. “Actually I heard the weather report. We'll have snow by this afternoon."
"What do you have planned for today?” I cracked eggs in a bowl and broke the yolks.
"More of the same as yesterday.” He groaned. “I've been such a blind idiot."
"Blind, yes. Idiot, no.” I poured the eggs into a skillet and scrambled them. “Put the toast in."
"Are you making tea?” He popped bread in the toaster and prepared the coffee- maker.
I shook my head. “I'll have coffee this morning.” I scooped eggs onto the plates he handed me.
"We work well together.” He poured juice and coffee. “I feel bad about being tied up with those files. We should go somewhere and do things instead of you amusing yourself while I work."
His words brought a longing for the few days we'd spent away from the house. I pushed them aside. “Don't worry about me. I'll figure something to do."
He covered my hand with his. “You're such a good sport."
After we finished breakfast, Lars offered to help with the dishes, but I sent him on his way. When the kitchen was in order, I wandered to the living room and glanced through several magazines. Then feeling restless I put on my jacket and left by the sunroom door.
The brisk wind forced me to stop and tie my hood more securely. I tramped across the lawn to the drive. Clouds hid the sun and the air carried the scent of snow. I walked toward the house on the rise. Beneath the overcast skies the adobe house looked as though the gold had been leached away, leaving a sullen mud structure behind.
As I neared the house I looked up. Had the curtains on one of the upper floor windows moved? Was someone watching? If Bonnie was at home, there were things I wanted to say to her, things I'd probably regret. In her selfish quest for power, she was tearing her father to shreds. She needed to know this.
When I reached the carport, there was no sign of the gold sedan. Had the observer been the maid or someone more sinister?
A chill crept along my spine. Could Carl be hiding in the house? I'd believed, even hoped, he was on his way to Florida to take the money he'd stolen and not lurking here for another purpose.
My determination to get away from the estate jelled. Could I persuade Lars to leave the house and take refuge in a hotel where we'd be surrounded by people?
As I turned to walk back to the house, the gate opened. A dark sedan drove inside and parked in front of Lars’ house. Rafe got out. Instead of striding up the walk to the door, he waved and headed to meet me.
"Kate, I was hoping I'd see you."
"Not Lars?"
"I've done all I can for him. What he does with the information is his call."
I sighed. “He's carrying a heavy burden, but he'll do the right thing."
He frowned. “Do you really believe he'll act against his daughter? He never has."
"If she's guilty, yes."
"I hope you're right.” He strolled down the drive with me.
"What bad news did you bring Lars the other evening?"
His groan was clearly audible. “I hoped he would tell you, but it was about the financial dealings that have drained his assets. They were orchestrated by his daughter. I fear his empire has fallen."
Repelled by the anger in his voice, I stepped away. “He's never considered his business an empire. For him finding new enterprises has been more like a game."
"And he doesn't care who gets hurt."
"Not true. How did you form that picture of him?"
"From digging into his past and his present.” Rafe reached for my hand. “Kate, you're a loyal friend. He'll need you and I hope he appreciates you."
I smiled. “He does. We've had years of experience with each other."
"That's good. If anyone can help him face what he must, I believe it's you."
"I've a question. Did you discover who had the binder on that house?"
"Jaime Verdigras."
That news didn't completely take me by surprise, but made me sad for Lars. “Then Bonnie was involved in Lars’ kidnapping."
"Who else could it have been? Do you have any idea why?"
"To drive me away. Bonnie often does things out of spite and she believes everyone is like her. If she'd arrived to find an empty house, she would have stormed away."
He laughed. “She sure doesn't know you. Bonnie Grayco is not a very nice person, though she gives those who don't know her a different impression. If you're smart you'll avoid her."
"How? She's Lars’ daughter."
"Stay as far from her as possible. Go home."
I started across the lawn. The tone of his voice puzzled me and heightened my determination to get Lars out of the house and into a safe place. Did Rafe feel the same subtle sense of danger as I did?
I turned. “I imagine you've heard the body in the Jaguar wasn't Carl's."
"A buddy told me and also mentioned that whoever it was had been shot."
"I wonder if he was headed to or from Albuquerque."
"Not sure that matters.” He caught up with me and clasped my hand.
"But it does. If the car had been returning, that would mean Carl is in Florida and he'll get away. If only Lars would tell the police the whole story."
"Maybe he can't. Kate, if you're determined to stay in the area, at least go to a hotel."
"What are you trying to say?"
"I don't believe this is finished and I believe Lars’ daughter is dangerous. I wish I'd met you at another time and in another place.” He released my hand. “Take care. You're a fine person."
The subtle sound of warning in his voice raised prickles in my thoughts. I stood at the door until Rafe's car left the estate. Then determined to persuade Lars to leave, I went inside.
He has to listen, I thought. We have to leave as soon as we can. “Lars,” I called.
"Here.” He strode into the kitchen holding a mug. “Where were you?"
"Out for a walk.” I crossed to his side. “Rafe was here. He seemed...odd."
"What do you mean by odd?"
"I'm not sure."
Lars put his arms around my waist. “He admires you. Maybe he's attracted."
"I don't think that's it."
"What did he say?"
"That I should go to a hotel. Maybe that's a good idea for both of us."
"That's a switch. A week ago you protested our hotel stay because the house was so close."
"This time my reasons are different. I don't think this house is safe."
He shook his head. “You can leave. I'm staying here,"
"I can't go without you."
"Maybe Rafe is right. If something happened to you, I'd never forgive myself."
I stepped away. “I'm not in danger. You're the one
with the problems. Who would want to harm me?"
He heaved a sigh. “Bonnie for one. She's an angry young woman."
Did he really believe Bonnie would hurt me? She was possessive of her father, but would she use more than her tongue against me?
"He gave me some unwelcome news. Jaime Verdigras had the binder on the house."
Lars nodded. “That doesn't surprise me. Presumably the young man was acting on Bonnie's orders. I'm afraid she's guilty of more than a failed kidnapping.” His shoulders slumped. “You raise children and think you know them. Then you discover you don't. Most of the company's assets have been diverted into accounts in her name."
"How and why?"
"Because I wasn't paying attention. I have no idea what possessed her. Where did I go wrong?” He pressed his fingers against my lips. “Don't say it. This is my punishment for caving in every time she threw a tantrum."
I put my arms around him. “You did your best. Yes, you spoiled her and continued to give Bonnie her way long after you should have stopped. She never moved beyond childish behavior. That was her choice, not yours."
His arms tightened. “No, Kate, I kept her from growing up. I gave her the opportunity to become what she has. She knew the business would be hers. She had no reason to steal."
"Maybe she knew she wouldn't succeed and that she doesn't have your touch."
"And that's my fault for not acknowledging her failures."
The full-blown guilt in his voice made my teeth ache, “Listen to yourself. Just keep beating your breast and wallowing in self-pity. You may have ignored the problems and her lacks, but you didn't cause her to act the way she has."
"What would you do if Andrew had done something this dreadful?"
I held his gaze. “There was a time when I thought he'd done worse. I was afraid he'd murdered Rachel. If he had I would have supported him while he faced punishment for his actions, but I wouldn't have blamed myself. He's an adult. So is Bonnie."
"Then I need to hand this mess over to the police.” He reached for the portable phone on the kitchen counter. “First I have to talk to her."
"Don't let her sway you.” I stepped away.
* * * *
When Bonnie arrived, anger radiated from her eyes. Her glare made me swallow. I turned to leave.
Lars caught my hand. “I want you here.” He drew me to the couch. “Bonnie, sit down."
"Does she have to stay?"
"Yes."
"Daddy.” The childish whine of her voice didn't change the fury in her eyes.
"Did you tell the police the truth?” Lars asked.
She shrugged. “I answered their questions about Carl."
"What about the arrange kidnappings and the ransom note?"
She shifted on the chair. “That didn't come up."
"What were you and Jaime thinking?"
She laughed. “He wasn't thinking. If anything had gone wrong, he would have been blamed. If things had gone right, Aunt Katherine would have left."
"You don't know Kate very well. She's not the type to run away from trouble. But this isn't about her.” He leaned forward. “Why did you steal from the company?"
"Not me. Blame Carl and Damon. I trusted them."
"Did you?” Lars asked. “Then why are you divorcing your husband?"
She slouched. “Do you blame me for getting rid of him? Look at what he's become."
Lars shook his head. “You've known for years about his gambling, yet when I wanted to fire him, you begged me to keep him on."
She stared at her hands. “He refused to give me a divorce without a large settlement."
"I would have given you the money. You know that. Why did you wait?"
"I knew how you felt about him. Then he said Damon knew something that would ruin you. I couldn't let that happen.” She began to sob.
Lars rose and went to her. “Honey, don't cry. We'll see this through. All you have to do is tell the police everything you've told me."
"Daddy, I can't."
I wanted to shake Lars. He was taking the doting parent road again. “Stop manipulating your father with tears."
She glared. “And I'm telling you to stay out of this. You're not involved."
"But I am. I've been involved since the day I arrived and found your father missing. Did you really think I'd leave without knowing what had happened to him?"
"Yes, and you would have if Jaime hadn't panicked and set Daddy free."
I shook my head. “I'm not you. I don't act out of spite or like a child. Your father is my friend and I would have waited until the next morning and called the police. Then I would have hired a detective to find him. I wouldn't have left until I knew he was safe."
"That doesn't make sense."
"Maybe not to you. What was the purpose behind your kidnapping? Were you trying to force your father to make a choice?"
A smile crossed her lips. “That was the idea, but Jaime didn't come. Someone else did. I wasn't lying about being hit on the head."
"What?” Lars asked,
"Then who called your father?"
"That was Jaime. He thought I had gotten tired of waiting and went to the house."
My shocked expression must have mirrored Lars’ look of surprise. If her kidnapping hadn't been one of Bonnie's plots to send me running home, who had taken her? How had they known what she and Jaime Verdigras had planned?
"Are you sure?” I asked.
"Yes. Now get out of my life.” Her voice rose to a piercing pitch. The storm of anger destroyed her beauty.
"When your father tells me I'm not welcome, I'll leave. Before I do, I'd like the jewelry your father gave me."
"What are you talking about?” Lars asked.
"Daddy, don't listen to her. Can't you see what she's doing? She's too old to work and she wants your money. Tell her she can't stay here."
"Stop confusing the issue,” I said. “What's been happening here has nothing to do with my financial status or what's between your father and me. Theft is the issue."
"Kate's right,” Lars said. “Did you take the necklace and milk the business?"
Tears rolled down Bonnie's face. “Daddy, I'm scared. Carl must have killed the man in his car. What if he comes after me? Don't you care about me?"
"I care, but Kate's right. You're avoiding the real problem."
"Daddy.” She straightened. “What are you going to do?"
"Once you return Kate's necklace and the money, I'll close up shop and you'll get your share, nothing more."
"Really,” a deep voice said.
I almost screamed when I turned and saw Damon in the doorway. I hadn't heard the bell. Neither had he buzzed to be let in.
Lars glared at his assistant. “Did you just walk in?"
"Good thing I did, and good thing I lifted one of those buzzers. Heard some things I don't like. You can't liquidate the company."
"I don't see why not,” Lars said.
"Then I'll see you in court. Think of the scandal when your past indiscretions become public. Don't you care about your reputation?"
"I might have reacted differently if I intended to stay here and remain in business,” Lars said.
"Daddy, what is he talking about?"
Damon laughed. “Guess he neglected to tell you about our relationship. I'm your half-brother. Why else do you think I turned you down when you came on to me?"
"I never..."
"That's the way I saw it. So Dad, what's your decision?"
"Maybe I don't believe you're my son,” Lars said. “Are you willing to have a DNA test? I am."
Damon crossed his arms on his chest. “That's not necessary. I have my original birth certificate."
"Which is no proof,” I said. “Having the test is the only way."
"Stay out of this.” Damon glared.
Bonnie laughed. “Looks like you'll get a quarter of nothing. The money's safe from you. I'm the only one who can access it."
"She's right,” Lars sa
id. “She's been diverting funds for more than a year."
Damon turned to Bonnie. “You bitch."
Lars strode across the room. “If the test shows I'm your father, you'll be entitled to a quarter of the money. Bonnie will restore the funds or face charges."
"Daddy, you wouldn't."
Damon smiled. “Serves you right."
"But Daddy, we're a team. That's what you always told me."
Lars shook his head. “A team works together. You stole from me. My next announcement will make you angrier. If Kate will have me, she and I will marry."
"What about Mommy?"
"Your mother has been dead for more than twenty years. She and Kate were friends. I know she'd approve."
"I hate you.” She ran to the door.
Damon saluted Lars. “I'll get back to you on that test.” He rushed after Bonnie.
I turned to look out the window. Damon grabbed Bonnie and turned her to face him. She swung her fist at his face.
Lars stood behind me. “What did I do wrong?"
"Nothing. Some people are born flawed. You have three other children who have turned out fine.” I looked at him. “Let's get in the car and drive away."
"I can't. I need to call the police."
I nodded. “Then we can go.” I gasped. Damon slapped Bonnie.
Lars released me. He strode away. “Bonnie. Damon,” he shouted.
Damon staggered and fell. Bonnie stared at him. I ran into the foyer and heard her scream. Lars stood in the open doorway. A loud cracking noise sounded. Bonnie jerked and then slid down the side of the car.
"Bonnie.” Lars started outside.
"Lars get down.” My heart pounded. Fear roared in my thoughts.
A loud crack followed by a thud made me step back. Lars dropped to the ground. I screamed. Had he been shot? Who had done this? I knelt on the foyer floor and crawled to the door. “Lars."
"I'm all right."
Tears blurred my eyes. “Get inside before you're shot. Call the police."
"You. The number's by the phone. I have to reach Bonnie."
"Lars, come back."
"I have to see how badly she's hurt. Go."
I crept to the living room. With a hand that shook in a palsied rhythm, I grabbed the phone and punched the numbers. Through the wide front window I saw Damon's car, the two still bodies and Lars’ slow progress toward them. A few snowflakes danced in the air. A voice answered. I gulped a breath.
Midas Murders [Book 3 of the Katherine Miller Mysteries] Page 13
