Josiah gestured at the video, which showed Tyler and his entourage entering the living room. “You’ll note that I’m not there, and that’s because I didn’t let him in. There’s no evidence of a break-in – you’re too sophisticated for that, George – but you definitely weren’t invited in.”
Josiah nodded again, and Reed clicked forward to him entering the room sometime later and being obviously startled by the sight of his unexpected guests.
“Now… there was a fight, yes, and I certainly threw the first punch – I don’t deny it – but I was protecting my indie, someone who I am, by law, responsible for. I was protecting him against a man who had broken into my house, made himself at home, and was threatening. You’ll note one of his thugs has taken hold of Alex before I begin fighting.”
The fight was less impressive than Josiah remembered it, and over far too quickly.
Esther watched the video in silence.
“I think we can chalk that up as a win for technophobes,” Josiah added with a grin, nodding to Reed, who ended the video.“As you can see, you have no case against me for harassing you. I, on the other hand, have a good one against you for trespass.”
“This doesn’t change anything.” Tyler had lost the faux outrage and was now cold and calculated. “Drop this, Director Lomax, or you’ll wish you had.”
“The last time someone said something like that to me, I was still walking,” Esther said slowly. “He shot four bullets into me, but I didn’t stop until I’d brought him down. That’s why I’m in this thing” – she gestured at her wheelchair – “and he’s in the ground.” She gave a tight smile. “Alexander Lytton will remain in the custody of Inquisitus until I say otherwise. You won’t be taking him with you today, Mr Tyler, no matter what your lawyers say.”
Tyler stood up, tight-lipped. “You’re making a big mistake, Lomax.”
“Maybe.” She shrugged. “But I’ve worked with this particular Home Secretary for several months now, and I’ve found him a shrewd operator who isn’t easily swayed by others. You might find you have less influence on him than you think.”
“We’ll see.” Tyler glanced at Alex. “You’re just causing mischief, Alexander, and itwillcome back to bite you, in the end.”
Alex gazed at him impassively, his eyes completely empty.
Tyler gave a bark of laughter. “Oh, you play dumb so well. Where did you learn that little trick, I wonder?”
“Where you sent me to learn it, sir – Belvedere,” Alex said softly, his eyes still blank.
Tyler looked startled, clearly not expecting that.
“Perhaps you should ask them for your money back,” Josiah commented drily.
“I would, but it doesn’t exist anymore.”
Alex’s head jerked up in surprise.
“Oh – didn’t you know? That charlatan who ran it had cancer, so they closed it down. He died a few months ago, in June.”
Josiah was surprised to see the colour drain from Alex’s face. He’d always assumed that Alex’s time at Belvedere hadn’t been happy, but now he wasn’t so sure. He looked shocked and upset to learn this news.
Tyler looked pleased to have scored a hit. “I even went to his memorial service. Can you believe that? If I’d known then what a fraud he was, I’d have pissed on his grave, not stood in a cold church for an hour lamenting his passing.”
“He did what you paid him to do,” Alex said tightly.
“I paid him to turn you into the perfect servant,” Tyler snapped.
Alex’s face was as white as a sheet, his jaw taut. “That’s precisely what he did,” he retorted.
A slow realisation dawned in Tyler’s eyes. “Oh, I see. The two of you were in it together.” He rocked back on his heels, gazing at Alex keenly. “I understand it all so much better now.” Then he turned back to Esther. “You’ll be hearing from my lawyers, Lomax.” He cast one last contemptuous glance at Josiah, and then he swept from the room, taking his entourage with him.
“Well, isn’t he a ray of sunshine,” Reed muttered after he’d gone. “I owe you an apology, sir. I don’t know what he’s guilty of, but after seeing that recording, I’m damn sure he’s guilty of something.”
“Yes, he is,” Esther said quietly. “Get a warrant to search the water around his house, Joe. Let’s see if we can find Solange Alajika. I’m sure Tyler wouldn’t be going to all this trouble if he wasn’t hiding something, and that’s as good a place as any to start.”
“You’re opening an investigation into her death?” Josiah asked. Over in the corner, he could see the look of shock and elation on Alex’s face.
“Well, I’d like to find a body first, but yes, I’m opening an investigation. As of now, this is official Inquisitus business. Can you run both cases, Joe? I’ll assign you more staff, but I still want you on Dacre’s murder.”
“Of course. I think the two are linked, somehow, anyway. I’m just not sure how yet. Thank you, Esther.” Josiah gave a smile of relief. “What changed your mind?”
