Page 38 of Leo
“I heard that Miss Hardy was found dead late last night.” Luke’s brows rose, questioning how he knew that information.“I have many connections, Mr. Robicheaux. Can I assume that you were not her killer?”
“You can assume that, but we believe we know who was.”
“Ms. Palmer.”
“You sure seem to know a lot,” said Leo, frowning at the man.
“I am a very wealthy man. Money does buy whatever you like,” he said calmly. “Ms. Palmer is in way over her head. She is playing with things and people she does not understand. This is not just some game that these people play. They take it very seriously, and she will find herself beside her friend Echo if she’s not careful.”
“And just who are these people chasing her for the items?” asked Tillie.
“People that you would not wish to meet,” he said calmly. “The eggs and amber are now out of my reach. Whatever she decides to do with them, I hope that they are returned to where they belong.”
“That sounds like a man wanting to do what’s right,” said Hex.
“You seem to be under the impression that I don’t always do what is right. I do. My personal life may not be the picturesque lifestyle that you believe it should be, but my wife and I have an understanding, and it works for us. Neither of us has ever humiliated the other or ruined our family name or businesses.”
“We’re not judging,” said Cam. Nahm laughed for the first time, shaking his head.
“Yes. You are. But that’s alright. I’m an honest businessman, and I don’t set out to harm anyone unless they aredoing something that will harm me and my family. The people who want those objects are not going to be understanding if Ms. Palmer sells those items.”
“Why were they after the man?” asked Tillie, not willing to give Fred’s name.
“We’re speaking of the Earl of Mansberg,” he smirked. Tillie grinned at the man and nodded. “The woman, Lenora, believed that he caught her on camera speaking to a black-market dealer. He might not be aware of who it is, but they knew that someone would.”
“Are you going back to Thailand?” asked Cam.
“I am, Mr. Dougall.” Cam’s brows rose with the use of his last name. “I’m good at what I do. I’m not your enemy, gentlemen. I respect what you do and admire the business you’ve created. I only came to tell you that the woman will die if she’s not stopped, and worse, the treasures will be lost. Too many treasures have been stolen from this world. Perhaps we can save these few.”
“That’s the plan, Mr. Nahm,” said Luke, shaking his hand. He nodded, turning to leave in his limo. He never looked back.
“What now?” asked Hex.
“We do what we were going to do in the first place. We go out and find that woman before she gets herself killed and, worse, loses those treasures.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
After spending a wonderful day with Dean and then a very romantic dinner, Lenora was finally able to dispose of Echo’s body. Although she didn’t weigh much, dead weight was indeed heavier.
With several boxes of rocks tied to her body, she rolled her into the Seine, hoping she would sink to the bottom. Now, staring at the television in her room, she realized that the rocks had come loose from her wrappings.
Nevertheless, it was time to move to another hotel. This one was a hotbed of activity, and with the convention for the gamers breaking up, she would be more identifiable in a nearly empty hotel.
Opening her e-mail, she saw several responses to her posting about the objects. Three were threatening.
“If you think you can get away with stealing our shit, you’re wrong!”
“You’re going to die for messing with our game!”
“I’m going to fucking kill you!”
She only smiled, realizing that she’d heard those words before. Her hope right now was that the authenticated buyer would show up at Notre Dame as planned.
If they did, she’d have fifty million dollars in her account, and they’d have the treasures they wanted. Everyone would leave happy. Except the gamers, of course.
Taking her one small suitcase, she went downstairs to take a taxi to her new hotel. The small accommodations were definitely a step-down, but at least they were off the main roads and away from the most prominent tourist attractions.
After checking in, she gave one final view of her e-mail and saw one that nearly broke her heart. Dean.
