“That’s an interesting take, and a little different to the story you told me on Friday. What’s changed?”
“I was being kind out of memory to his dear late mother. I never liked to believe ill of the boy.”
“So, you were lying then, or you’re lying now.”
“I was being kind then. Now, I’m just hurt.”
“Why?” Josiah sat back. “What do you think he’s told me?”
Tyler shrugged. “Lies.”
“Why would he lie?”
“It’s who he is.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“I’m sure you don’t. Everyone falls for his act, because itisan act. I fell for it once, too. He deploys his looks and charm to get his own way. Was he here for even twenty-four hours before trying to seduce you, I wonder?”
Josiah shifted uneasily in his seat.
Tyler gave a little grunt. “I see I’ve hit a nerve. I don’t blame you for wanting to defend him. I would have done the same once. He fooled me, just like he’s fooling you.”
Josiah glanced at Alex again, this time to find him ashen-faced. He was clearly scared, but of what? Scared of Tyler, or scared of Josiah hearing some piece of information he hadn’t shared with him?
“When he was sentenced to indentured servitude, I felt sorry for him. Yes, he’d lied to me, yes, he was a thief… but I didn’t like to believe my old friend’s son was beyond redemption, and hedidseem very contrite. So, I brought him into my home and tried to fix him. Is any of this sounding familiar?” Tyler shot Josiah a knowing glance.
He shrugged. “I’m intrigued as to where you’re going with this, Tyler.”
Tyler paused for a long moment, his eyes glittering, and then he continued, “I can see now that I spoilt him. I doted on him like an old fool, unable to see him for what he truly is.”
“Which is?” Josiah raised an eyebrow.
“A liar and manipulator.”
“And how do you think he’s manipulating me?” Josiah asked.
“I think he’s reeled you in with some made-up story, and you’re running around all over the place looking for ghosts that don’t exist. He’s almost certainly derailed you from your investigation into Elliot Dacre’s murder, and now you’re dancing to his tune, doing something else entirely.”
His visit to Tyler’s house had obviously spooked him. If Josiah had known about Solange at that point, he might have chosen not to go there and give Tyler a heads up that he was on his radar, but it was too late for that now. Tyler obviously knew he was investigating Solange’s death, so he decided it was time to show a little more of his hand.
“Let’s not pretend. You know who I’ve been to see today and why.”
“I know the who, but not the why. What possible reason could you have for visiting some of my old servants?”
Well, Tyler could hardly admit that he knew about Solange’s death. He was playing a complicated game of cat and mouse – and Josiah wasn’t entirely sure which of them was hunter and which prey.
“I visited your old servants to ask about the murder of a young woman in your house seven years ago,” he said, watching Tyler’s reaction closely. He wasn’t disappointed; Tyler looked outraged.
“A murder? In my house? Absurd. I suppose Alexander told you this?”
“Yes.”
“And does this poor woman have a name?”
“Solange Alajika,” Josiah supplied easily. “I checked. She was definitely your IS seven years ago.”
“Solange? She’s my god-daughter. She completed her contract and left for pastures new years ago. You can check the IS agency database.
