praise for the darby farr mystery series Final Settlement “Cozy atmosphere, suspenseful story.”—Booklist “Credible characters and evocative descriptions of smalltown Maine in winter complement the fast-paced plot.”—Publishers Weekly “A twisty fourth case that strikes close to the bone for a complex, likeable sleuth.”—Kirkus Reviews “Murder, mayhem, and the deadliest of hidden motives. A great read!”— Sarah Graves, author of the Home Repair is Homicide mysteries
Deadly Offer “[Darby Farr] goes West, and it’s wild all the way.”—Portland Press Herald “Darby’s third appearance is just the property for those who want a fast, entertaining read with a diverse cast and appealing setting.”—Library Journal “Darby’s third enlarges on her love life and real-estate skills while providing a complex mystery.”—Kirkus Reviews
Killer Listing “Sexy, savvy, and entertaining. Real estate agent Darby Farr solves the crime, nets the commission, and looks great doing so. Vicki Doudera displays a deft hand with story and characters. Killer Listing is a real showcase.”—Julia Spencer-Fleming, author of One Was a Soldier “A hot property! Multi-million dollar deals, mojitos, and murder— real estate brings real trouble to this smart and savvy heroine. Scheming, speculation, and a scary bad guy will keep you turning the pages of this suspenseful and cleverly plotted mystery. Readers beware:
though the setting is sunny, there’s a twist around every corner.”—Hank Phillippi Ryan, Anthony, Agatha, and Macavity award-winning author “A touch of romance, a hint of danger, and a mystery that keeps you guessing spice Darby’s second case.”—Kirkus Reviews “This is a good, Southern mystery. Colorful characters abound and mysteries keep you guessing!”—Suspense Magazine
A House to Die For “[Doudera] expertly weaves a tale of suspense on a Maine island, where murder and real estate are an explosive combination.”—Tess Gerritsen, bestselling author of The Mephisto Club “Here’s a fast-paced and well-told story with a smart, savvy real estate agent as the heroine, solving crimes while making sales. Bring on the next one!”—Barbara Corcoran, real estate contributor for NBC’s Today Show and author of Nextville: Amazing Places to Live the Rest of Your Life “An appealing debut . . . the author does a good job portraying Darby in her efforts to make peace with her childhood past and solve a murder on a picturesque Maine island.”—Publishers Weekly “A superb prologue, wonderful story, atmospheric with a good plot.” —Crimespree Magazine “This gentle cozy with some unexpected plot twists is sure to please fans of Sarah Graves.”—Library Journal “Light and entertaining . . . a fun mystery and fantastic way to spend an evening!”—Suspense Magazine A Suspense Magazine “Best of 2010” Selection
Deal Killer
also by vicki doudera A House to Die For Killer Listing Deadly Offer Final Settlement
A Darby Farr Mystery
Deal Killer Vicki Doudera
Midnight Ink
woodbury, minnesota
dedication To Ed, who makes it all possible.
Deal Killer: A Darby Farr Mystery © 2014 by Vicki Doudera. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, including Internet usage, without written permission from Midnight Ink, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. First Edition First Printing, 2014 Book design by Donna Burch-Brown Cover design by Lisa Novak Cover illustration by Dominick Finelle/The July Group Edited by Connie Hill Midnight Ink, an imprint of Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Doudera, Vicki, 1961– Deal killer : a Darby Farr mystery / Vicki Doudera. — First Edition. pages cm — (A Darby Farr mystery; #5) ISBN 978-0-7387-3429-3 1. Women real estate agents—Fiction. 2. Serial murderer—Fiction. 3. Murder— Investigation—Fiction. 4. California—Fiction. I. Title. PS3604.O895D423 2014 813'.6—dc23 2013046322 Midnight Ink Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd. 2143 Wooddale Drive Woodbury, MN 55125-2989 www.midnightinkbooks.com Printed in the United States of America
acknowledgments I’m thankful for the assistance of many who helped with Deal Killer. First, a big thank you to my faithful manuscript readers Lynda Chilton and Ed Doudera, whose comments and careful edits are so appreciated. Much appreciation to my fellow real estate agents around the country and in Maine, above all, Scott Horty and the team at Camden Real Estate Company, including the trio always willing to lend a hand: Christopher Brown, Jeanne Fullilove, and Brenda Stearns. Thanks to the real Debbi Hitchings for supporting Safe Passage and lending her name to Darby’s legal counsel. Thank you to my literary agent, Tris Coburn, and the folks at Midnight Ink, including editors Terri Bischoff and Connie Hill; publicist Beth Hanson; and book designers Donna Burch-Brown and Lisa Novak. Thanks to illustrator Dominick Finelle for a Big Apple cover. Finally, a huge thank you to Darby’s fans everywhere. You make writing a real pleasure!
viii
prologue
“What the devil …?” Miles Porter stood at the threshold of his office, a look of confusion contorting his face. Papers were strewn over his desk’s thick surface, a desk chair was broken in two, and a drinking glass had spilled its contents and then been smashed. He ran a hand through a thick shock of hair and noticed the yanked-out drawers. Someone’s been in here, he realized, his bewilderment turning to anger. Some lunatic’s destroyed the place. He nearly jumped when he spotted the shadowy figure. “Who the hell are you? What are you doing here?” The intruder lifted his hands palms up, a gesture meant either to placate or show he was unarmed. Or both, thought Miles. “Waiting for you, obviously.” His voice was deep, slightly accented. He showed no sign of rising from the leather armchair in the room’s far corner.
1
Eastern European, guessed Miles, He glanced toward the stacks of papers strewn across his desk and knew the real reason his office was in shambles. “Bloody hell! You’ve been rifling through my things!” Miles pocketed the keys to the door and grabbed his phone from a worn messenger bag. “I don’t know why you’re here, but I’m ringing the police.” “No need for that, Mr. Porter.” “Oh really?” He punched in 911. With a swift gesture the man sprang from the chair and yanked the cell phone from Miles’s grasp. “Don’t be an idiot.” The clipped words rang out like gunfire in the still afternoon. Miles spoke through clenched teeth. “What are you doing here?” “I’m looking for something.” “And what would that be?” “One of your students’ assignments.” “What are you talking about? Which student?” “Natalia Kazakova. She’s written a paper that I must have.” He waited a beat. “Immediately.” “This is absolutely ludicrous! You came here to steal someone’s research? Who the hell are you?” “My name is Alec Rodin.” He tossed the cell phone toward Miles who caught it with one hand. “It’s important that I find what I need.” Miles noted the man’s wiry build, his tailored suit, and expertly trimmed beard. He looked like a movie star, or a model, and had the confidence bred in someone with good looks. Alec Rodin … Had Miles heard the name before? “Do you even know Natalia?” 2
“Quite well.” “She’s never mentioned you.” Natalia was a serious student, bright and focused on her journalism studies. “Really?” He lifted his eyes. “That’s odd. We are engaged to be married.” Miles kept the surprise from registering on his face This guy’s a good fifteen years older than Natalia. “You’re her fiancé?” “Indeed. I am here from Moscow on a short visit.” He leaned back in the leather chair. “She should never have come to New York.” He shook his head. “Her studies here seemed harmless. Creative writing—what could that hurt?” He said the word creative with such scorn that it sounded shameful. “Now I learn she is studying investigative journalism.” “She’s a talented writer.” He shrugged. “Perhaps. I found part of her paper this morning and was not struck by her talent, but by the danger she is in.” He shot a cold stare in Miles Porter’s direction, his good looks suddenly threatening. “My little Natalia is in peril. The topic she has chosen … it could get her killed.” Miles thought a moment. Natalia Kazakova had been in to see him that morning as well, clutching a steaming cup of coffee, her eyes bright as she described her subject: stolen royal real estate in modern-day Russia. “How do the imperial castles of St. Petersburg explain your unwanted presence in my office, Rodin?” The man gave a harsh chuckle. “I hardly expect you to understand the ramifications of Natalia’s story, Mr. Porter. In fact, I doubt if you understand the situation at all. I don’t have time to explain, and truthfully, it is better for you if you remain ignorant.” He swung 3
his eyes toward the door. “Now, I need any hard copies of Natalia’s paper and the electronic file.” “Oh, please!” Miles shook his head. “This is turning into the plot of some melodramatic soap opera—something my granny would watch on the BBC! Even if I gave you that assignment, don’t you think I’d keep a copy or two?” He made his voice hard. “Get out of my office right now, and I won’t report you to the authorities.” “You’re refusing to show me my future wife’s work?” “You can read Nat’s story on Sunday. Page five of the Times.” Alec Rodin’s head jerked so quickly that Miles Porter nearly chuckled. “Surely her writing is not of that caliber …” “No, not yet, but give her a few years. She wants to pursue a graduate degree, or hasn’t she mentioned that yet?” The Russian’s face darkened. “Unfortunately that will not be possible. Natalia will be returning to Moscow as soon as the semester ends.” “What if that is not what she wants?” Miles saw an imperceptible clenching of the seated man’s jaw. “Mr. Porter, Natalia is an heiress to a large fortune. Her place is back in our country.” “I see. You’re marrying Natalia for her money.” “The details of our arrangement are none of your business, but let me assure you, I have plenty of resources without the Kazakova billions.” He rose to his feet and faced Miles. “Trust me—this marriage is a very advantageous match for Natalia. Her doting father would have it no other way.” Miles, silent, detected a touch of contempt. Rodin’s face hardened. “I really don’t have time for conversation, Mr. Porter. I need you to give me that paper.” 4
“Pity, but it isn’t here.” “What are you saying?” “Natalia came by this morning and took it back.” “Why?” “Because I’d read it and given my suggestions. Now she’s making changes. It’s what we journalists call editing.” Alec Rodin’s lips curled at the sarcasm. “I see.” He turned toward the door. “I hope you realize that you have put your little student in grave danger.” Miles had a sudden image of Natalia’s eager face, bruised and bloodied. He had no doubt that the Russian businessman, despite the elegant suit and careful manners, was capable of extreme violence. “Rodin? If you so much as harm a hair on Natalia …” The man faced him and gave a rough laugh. “Yes?” “I will kill you.” Again Alec Rodin laughed. “You will kill me?” “Damn right.” “Ah, the British sense of humor. So refreshingly odd.” Once more his look grew stony. “Goodbye, Mr. Porter. Let us hope for the best for poor Natalia.” Miles watched as Alec Rodin left the office. What the devil was the guy talking about? Was there really something newsworthy in the undergrad’s paper? Had she uncovered some sort of scandal, perhaps? Miles took a steadying breath, relocked the door, and then pulled Natalia’s essay from his messenger bag. He sank into the cracked leather armchair, and with total concentration began to read. _____ 5
Peggy Babson paused outside the ladies’ room, shaking drops of water from her hands. Once again, the paper towel dispenser was empty, and she was flinging her fingers like some dog after a swim. You’d think that a hoity-toity school like Columbia could remember to refill things once in a while, she thought, but no, half the time the dispensers were empty. She sighed. Thank goodness she carried her own supply of tissues in her handbag! You never knew from one day to the next if the custodians would remember to restock the bathrooms. Her hands still damp, Peggy peeked over the railing, watching the ramrod straight back of the stranger head down to the first floor. Well, he had quite a nerve, getting Professor Porter all riled up like that! Peggy hadn’t heard the whole conversation, but her intuition told her the unknown man was to blame. Miles Porter was a gentleman, and an English one at that, and he would never stoop to unbecoming behavior. Although he had sounded pretty angry … She felt her plump cheeks pink up at the thought of Miles. What with his square jaw line and muscular build, he was handsome as all get out, what her Queens-born mother would have called “a real dish.” And then there was that British accent, like that actor Hugh Grant, or the really hunky one … Colin Firth. She sighed. Hopefully he’d stay for more than just the semester. Miles Porter made her dreary days in the stuffy building more appealing, made it much easier to get up each day and come to work. Peggy glanced at her watch. Only two, but she felt like leaving for the day. It’s the first nice day of spring, she thought, and I’m entitled to enjoy a little fresh air. Pulitzer Hall was virtually empty, and she couldn’t imagine any of the staff needing anything so desperately that they couldn’t wait until tomorrow. Would anyone com6
plain if she skipped out early? Not Miles Porter, that’s for sure. She gave a guilty grin. Thank goodness Charlie Burrows was away on sabbatical! Too bad he’s coming back at all, she thought. Too bad Miles Porter can’t stay here forever. With a soft sigh, Peggy Babson blew out the vanilla candle burning on her desk and locked the door of her tiny office. She tiptoed down the wooden stairs to the lobby, pulled open the door, and stepped out into the sunshine of the April afternoon. _____ Alec Rodin leaned against the brick building and lit a cigarette. He inhaled a few times and then pulled out the card he’d taken from the drawer of the cluttered oak desk. Miles M. Porter, he read. Investigative Journalist. He fingered the high-quality paper stock, noted the phone number, and placed the card back in his breast pocket. The man had been totally uncooperative, and yet Rodin had not felt the need for physical violence. He has no idea of the stakes involved, Rodin mused. No clue as to what Natalia has stumbled upon. He shook his head. The man called himself an investigative reporter, and yet he had not done his homework. He was ignorant, unaware of the price people were willing to pay for silence. Rodin looked over his shoulder with a quick glance. Was it his imagination, or was someone following him? From experience, he knew that danger lurked where one least expected it. He inhaled from the cigarette and steadied his nerves. There was no need to feel jumpy. He had sensed nothing strange in Moscow, before boarding the private jet for America. His business associates were typically brusque, 7
but that was their way. Many of them were already multimillionaires, joining the burgeoning Russian upper class. It would have been unimaginable decades ago, this sea change in his country. Everyday life had been so bleak and hard that few dared to dream of a prosperous life. And yet it had happened. The reforms ushering in capitalism and the accompanying corruption had given men like him the opportunity to gain wealth, one way or another, and now the country was fast becoming the home of more billionaires than anyone could have imagined. The mid-afternoon sunshine was warm on his angular face, but Alec Rodin barely noticed. He took another drag on the cigarette and pondered his next move. Pressure on Natalia was going to be the only way to squash the whole thing. Fortunately, he knew her many weaknesses. He tossed down the cigarette and ground it beneath his heel. There was no time to waste. He needed to find and destroy Natalia’s paper, obliterate her research, and get her home, hopefully with her mind on something besides journalism. Rodin wasn’t entirely sure what that something could be. Natalia had little interest in outdoor activities. She did not ride horses nor show expensive dogs. Her hobbies were few, her only interests intellectual. He frowned. A pair of young women passed him by, chattering gaily. One of them wore a brightly patterned sarong-type carrier that held a redcheeked baby wearing a pink jacket. Rodin glanced at the baby and she smiled, a thin line of drool hanging from the corner of her lips. Of course! The answer was literally staring him in the face. He pictured Natalia’s womanly figure rounded with the flush of new life. She was not too young, and he was ready for a son, or a daughter if 8
fate so decreed. Yes, motherhood was the answer to the whole situation. It would certainly keep Natalia busy and out of harm’s way. Anxious now to be back at his fiancé’s penthouse, he glanced around for a cab. Getting a taxi on this corner was unlikely, given that a high percentage of the passersby were students, and most of them were on tight budgets. Unlike Natalia, he thought with a smirk. Thanks to her father’s fortune, she was probably the richest woman enrolled at the university. He rounded the corner of the building and headed toward Broadway. A shadow passed over the sun, and once more he had the unsettling feeling of being followed. Quickly he ducked into a dark passageway and surveyed the street. The space between the buildings was narrow, too constricted to be called an alley. Peering out from the gloom, Alec scanned the sidewalks, seeing nothing to arouse his suspicions. Only throngs of animated students, wearing sweatshirts emblazoned with the university’s logo, enjoying the warm breezes of spring. He was about to step back onto the sidewalk when he heard a skittering sound. He tensed, his hand going instinctively to the inside pocket of his jacket. He was ready to confront whatever had made the noise when a lean rat scrabbled from the shadows, dodged Rodin’s feet, and darted behind a nearby dumpster. Rodin exhaled. Was this the way life would be now that he’d made his fateful decision? He scanned the street once more. Was the deal he’d made worth it? He thought again of Natalia, this time with an urgency he’d never experienced. He’d make her understand why her research was so dangerous, and he’d do it with kindness. Instead of bullying, he’d try patient explanations. 9
He glanced back toward the dumpster. The rat peered out from under the metal, its head cocked and still. The rodent was listening intently, every muscle tensed and alert. We are both listening, realized Rodin. But for what? And then he heard a sound he could never have imagined: the dull thud of steel encountering his own hard bone. He felt an immediate and piercing pain and gasped with the force of it. The sensation was all consuming—he could only react to it— and yet a corner of his brain worked to pinpoint the source. The center of my back, he realized, between my shoulder blades. He tried to turn around and staggered. It feels as if … He tried to identify the intense throbbing. It’s as if something has gored me, something sharp and long, like the horn of a bull. The pain intensified as he slowly turned. A sword-wielding figure crouched in the shadows. In the dim light Rodin could not determine details. Was it a man or a woman, someone he knew, or a stranger? An image from a book on Russian history filled his brain, a depiction of an ancient, saber-clutching soldier. He visualized the caption. Ready for battle stands the Cossack. Rodin clutched the wall of the building for support. He tried to scream, but could not get air. He felt the terrible certainty of imminent death, and yet he could not believe what was happening. His mind refused to accept what he now saw—the long blade arcing through the air, the steel glinting, even in the darkness. He tried to lift his arms in defense. They seemed disconnected from his torso, useless appendages that could not follow his brain’s commands. He watched helplessly as the metal plunged forward.
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The dark attacker thrust the deadly weapon into Rodin’s chest. Blood spurted in a pulsing fountain, the smell rich and metallic. Rodin sank to his knees, his chest a gaping crater filling rapidly with blood. Burbling sounds came from his lips as he felt the sword being pulled outward. A vision of the Baltic Sea, the feeling of the waves racing in and out, flitted into his mind. He had planned to take Natalia to the coast for their honeymoon. Again Alec Rodin saw the flash of silver. Who was this fighter? How had he found Alec so quickly? The questions darted and then vanished, as light and inconsequential as clouds. He took a shuddering breath, sensing it could be his last. He closed his eyes. Even before the swordsman made his final thrust, the one in which the saber would slice open his heart, the Russian surrendered. Not to the mysterious raider in the alley, but to his real enemy, the one who would take the killing blow. Alec Rodin surrendered to death.
11
one
“Darby! You can’t imagine how good it is to see you here in New York!” Miles Porter pushed aside the door to his office and wrapped the slim woman in a tight embrace. “Tough day?” Her words were muffled in the soft fibers of his cashmere vest. She felt the warmth of his skin and inhaled the scent of him: bayberry, mingled with a hint of something studious, like stacks of hardcover books or the shelves of a quiet library. It had been two months since she’d last hugged the handsome Brit, and she’d missed him, but there was something about Miles that felt different. A tightness in his normally fluid movements, the way his square jaw was clenched—all telltale signs of stress. “A tough week, now that you ask,” he answered. He gave her a quick squeeze and then pulled away with an appraising grin. “Let us have a look at you, Darby Farr. Still five foot five or so, long dark hair, and slender build, I see—nothing’s changed there.”
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“I feel like I’m a source in one of your investigative reports!” she said. “Want to know my weight, too? How about noting the new wrinkles around my almond-shaped eyes?” “Where?” Miles pretended to scrutinize Darby’s oval face. He laughed. “I’m sorry, love,” he said, ruffling her glossy mane in a playful manner. “My head’s been too wrapped up in my teaching. I just finished correcting a pile of essays, including some of the worst drivel you can imagine. Some of them made me laugh out loud. And these are college students!” He shook his head. “The way I should be greeting you is to tell you how lovely you are. And that’s just what I’m going to do once we get out of here. Unless you’re too tired from your flight?” “No. I took a nap from Chicago to Kennedy and feel fine.” “Any problems getting here?” “No—everything went smoothly. My flights were on time, and getting into Manhattan was a breeze. I grabbed the bus right outside of the airport and here I am.” “I wish you’d have let me pick you up.” “You know me, Miles. I like to do things myself.” She pulled her small suitcase into the tiny office, so crowded with stacks of books and papers that it felt barely bigger than a closet. Glancing past the tall professor, Darby saw his oak desk piled high with reports and magazines. It was pushed up against a burgundy-colored wall which held several framed diplomas. A scuffed swivel chair with a thin, tired-looking pillow on the worn seat stuck out from the desk, and a leather armchair, wedged between the desk and the wall, held Miles’s tweed jacket. “This has to be one of the tiniest offices I’ve ever seen.” She glanced at the woodwork, which was richly stained and highly 13
glossed, oddly formal for a room so small. The space had one high, grimy window, impossible to see out of, although it did let in light. Darby sensed more than saw the weak rays of an April afternoon sun struggling to penetrate the little room’s gloom. A jail cell, she thought. No wonder Miles is stressed out. “How did the professor before you ever manage?” “Charles? He has a large den at his apartment, as you’ll see. My guess is he doesn’t spend any appreciable time here. But I think it’s important to hold office hours when the students can come in for a chat.” He shrugged. “Although not many of them take advantage of it. Rather shoot off an email than make a personal visit, I suppose.” Darby’s eyes swept the accumulated clutter like the real estate pro she was when back in Southern California. Her eyes were trained to pick out telling details, no matter how disarrayed the environment. “Someone did drop by recently.” “A most unpleasant bloke,” Miles muttered. “No, I’m thinking one of your female students?” Miles furrowed his brow and then nodded. “Ah, yes, you’re right. Natalia was here this morning. Natalia Kazakova. She’s a senior at the college hoping to enter the School of Journalism. She stopped by for a little chin-wag about the program. Nice girl, Russian, and a fairly decent writer. Flair for the dramatic, though, and that can get one into a muddle.” “What do you mean?” “She’s working on a pretty hard-hitting article, and is finding it difficult to keep emotions out of the picture. That’s one of the toughest things about becoming an investigative journalist—that, and developing a healthy sense of skepticism.” “I thought she was just an undergrad?” 14
“She is, but she got permission from the Dean to take my course on Investigative Techniques.” He frowned. “Oddly enough, Natalia’s appointment was followed a few hours later by an unexpected visit from her fiancé.” “Is he a student as well?” Miles shook his head. “No—a Russian businessman. I gather he’s at least fifteen years older than Nat. Probably here to keep tabs on her, make sure she’s not having too much American fun. I didn’t much care for him, and our conversation got a trifle heated. But the whole thing’s none of my business, now is it? I’m just here to teach my classes and then be on my merry way.” “You say that, but I know that’s not the kind of person you are, Miles. If you didn’t like this guy—whatever he’s called—” “Alec Rodin.” “Well, I’m sure there’s a good reason. What about Natalia? Is she in love with him?” “Who knows? I suppose he’s a dashing sort of guy, but the only thing that I can see she’s passionate about is a career in journalism. She’s got a real talent for sniffing out stories. I think she’s got a shot at the graduate program.” “How does her fiancé feel about her plans?” “That was part of our argument. Alec intimated that he wasn’t going to allow her to continue further studies. Said her place is home with him in Russia.” “That’s an archaic attitude. What kind of a relationship do they have?” “Apparently an extremely complicated one.” Miles leaned over to kiss Darby’s cheek. “Unlike ours, which has been smooth sailing from day one.” 15
Darby tilted her head, knowing Miles’s comment was tonguein-cheek. She and the investigative reporter had been navigating the choppy waters of romance for nearly a year, and it wasn’t always a straight course. They’d met in Maine, on the island of Hurricane Harbor, where Darby had been summoned by her dying aunt Jane Farr to wrap up a seemingly simple real estate deal. Miles, a reporter for the Financial Times of London, was on the island to interview Jane about high-end waterfront property, and ended up interviewing Darby instead. That meeting had ignited something between them, a spark which smoldered slowly over the coming months as Miles traveled to Afghanistan for a posting with a combat unit there. Since his return, they had seen each other several times—in California and, most recently, on Hurricane Harbor—but still had not determined what shape a future together might take, or if, indeed, there was to be one. “Let’s get out of here and talk about something more hopeful,” he continued. “Solving the energy crisis, for instance.” “A topic on which I happen to have some excellent ideas,” she said, flicking off the light while he scooped up his jacket. She waited until he had shrugged it on before leaning over to pick up a cardboard cup from the floor beside the chair. “Aha,” he said, pointing, “so that’s how you surmised someone had been here! The old coffee cup clue.” He grinned. “But how did you know my visitor was female?” “Fibers from her miniskirt. They’re barely visible to the naked eye, but if you look closely …” “What! You can’t be serious.”
16
She laughed and rotated the cup to show the purple lipstick stain marking its rim. “An educated guess, my dear Watson.” Miles opened the door of the cramped office. “Remind me never to cheat on you, Darby Farr. You’re much too clever for me.” “Exactly.” She reached over and squeezed his arm, enjoying the feeling when he wrapped it around her and pulled her close. Her phone buzzed and she pulled it out of a pocket, took a glance, and shoved it back. “So where are we headed?” “There’s a great little bar around the corner. I thought we’d stop in there for a drink—unless you’d like to go directly to the apartment.” “A drink first sounds great.” Miles grabbed Darby’s suitcase and they headed toward the stairs, their feet tapping on the worn wooden floors. Rounding the corner of the curving hallway, their progress was halted as two men stepped forward and blocked their path. “Miles Porter?” “Yes?” “I’m Detective Benedetti and this is Detective Ryan. We need to ask you some questions.” Miles gave a quick glance at Darby as the speaker, a short, plump man in his late fifties, and his younger, thinner partner flashed New York City police badges. “What is this about?” “A Russian businessman named Alec Rodin.” Detective Benedetti held the journalist’s gaze. “Know the guy?” Miles nodded. “Met him today. He came up here to my office— well, the office that I’m using for the academic year.” “What time?” 17
“After lunch—around two p.m., I suppose. He asked me questions about a student’s class work, and then he left.” “That’s it?” “Yes.” “Did you give him your business card?” “I don’t think so.” He noticed that the quiet cop—Ryan—was taking notes. “I didn’t give him anything, but he had sorted through my things before I opened the door.” The two detectives exchanged quick looks. “You mean he broke into your office, Mr. Porter?” “Not exactly. I’d gone down for coffee and a sandwich and left the door unlocked, so he didn’t have much of a challenge. Rodin was sitting in my armchair when I entered, and I could tell he’d been rifling through my papers.” “What was he looking for?” “Said he needed one of my student’s assignments.” Miles cleared his throat. “Look, I don’t understand why you need to know all this. What’s Rodin done? Has he harmed Natalia?” Again the men exchanged glances. “Natalia Kazakova?” asked Ryan, his pencil poised in midair. “Yes. She’s my student. He claims they’re engaged.” “Ms. Kazakova is unharmed.” Darby spoke quietly. “And Rodin?” Detective Benedetti turned his milky eyes toward her before sliding them back to Miles. “Rodin isn’t doing so well. He’s dead.” “Dead? That’s not possible. I saw him only a short while ago—” “Yes, so you said—2 p.m.” Ryan’s voice was dry. “Where did you go after Rodin left your office?” 18
“Nowhere—I mean, I stayed here in the building.” Miles nodded at Darby. “I was waiting for my friend’s arrival.” “Your name?” Ryan’s pencil hovered over his pad. “I’m Darby Farr.” She spelled her last name. “I’m visiting from Southern California.” Miles ran a hand through his hair. “I can’t believe Rodin is dead. How? He was too fit for a heart attack, and you wouldn’t be here unless it was suspicious …” “That’s correct, Mr. Porter.” Benedetti shifted his weight and thrust his hands into a rumpled jacket. “Alec Rodin was fatally stabbed about a block from here.” “Christ.” Miles shook his head. “Were there any witnesses?” asked Darby. “None so far.” Benedetti frowned. “We found your business card in the deceased’s pocket, Mr. Porter.” “He must have taken it from my desk.” “Evidently. Can anyone confirm that you’ve been here in the building since Rodin left?” Miles shrugged. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen anyone else. There aren’t too many people here late in the afternoon, especially when the weather is like this.” “I see.” The detectives shared a glance. “Thank you, Mr. Porter. We’ll be in touch if we have more questions.” Detective Benedetti extended his hand and Miles shook it. “Goodbye, Miss Farr.” “Goodbye.” The two men turned and headed down the stairs. Miles put his hand to his head. “I can’t believe it, Darby. That man—Alec Rodin—was here only a few hours ago, and now …” “Did he say anything out of the ordinary, Miles?”
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“What do you mean? I thought it was strange that he wanted Nat’s paper.” “Did he seem afraid? As if he was in danger?” Miles shook his head. “No. He intimated that Natalia could be in trouble if the subject of her paper were known. His exact words were ‘she was in over her head.’ Poor girl. What a shocker.” “Have you read her paper?” “Yes. As soon as Alec left I read it. It’s an interview with an unnamed source about the theft of Russian palaces in St. Petersburg.” “A historical piece?” “No, modern day. Natalia’s source claims that the current Russian government is illegally taking possession of Imperialist buildings—vacation homes, palaces, residences—and handing them over to powerful politicians.” “Interesting. But didn’t this kind of thing happen years ago, right after the Revolution? Why is it newsworthy now?” “I’m not sure. Natalia’s source is an exiled royal, who claims to have all kinds of evidence against a Russian government agency.” He searched her face. “Do you still want to head on over to the pub and talk? Or would you rather go straight to the apartment now?” “No, the pub is fine. You can tell me all about this over a drink.” Miles held open the door. “Exactly. And you can tell me whether you think Nat’s news story is what killed her fiancé.” _____ Three and a half miles south of Pulitzer Hall, Sergei Bokeria sat on a gray upholstered couch and observed the unfolding drama between his employer and his charge.
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The bodyguard’s massive bulk dwarfed the sofa. It was as if he were sitting on a piece of furniture made for a child, the way his torso squeezed on to the cushions. To the casual observer, he appeared relaxed. The jowls of his face draped down from prominent cheek bones as if in repose, and his watchful eyes seemed nearly closed. But the restful image was deceiving. The big man had chosen his position only meters from the penthouse door deliberately, and he was not at ease. His hands, spread on the sofa’s armrests, were tensed, and the large muscles of his powerful body were coiled and ready for action. His gaze took in both the girl and the image of her father on the computer screen as they grappled with the news of death. Mikhail Kazakova spoke first, his Russian resonant, deliberate. “Natalia, I am deeply sorry. You know that Alec was like a son to me.” The businessman’s fleshy face was puckered, his brow a series of furrows. He reached up with a manicured hand as if to comfort the young woman through the screen. As if she could feel the touch, she flinched. “Papa.” It was a quiet reproach, said as she turned away from him, closing eyes that were accented with full, dark brows. A hand went to her lips. From his perch on the couch, Sergei could see her fingers trembling. “How did it happen?” “He was surprised in an alley, and …” Mikhail sighed. “He was stabbed several times.” “My God.” She looked back at her father through a long fringe of choppy bangs, streaked blonde like the rest of her hair. “Poor Alec. I can’t imagine such a frightening death.” Her voice trailed off.
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“I am flying to New York as soon as possible. I will make all the arrangements.” “Thank you.” She was quiet a moment. “Why did the police contact you and not me?” “They couldn’t reach you, I suppose. You can ask them that when they question you, which they inevitably will.” “But I had nothing to do with it,” she protested. “Of course not. But it is a murder investigation, and they will talk to everyone they can think of.” She nodded. “I guess you’re right.” She bit her bottom lip. “In a way this makes things easier.” Mikhail Kazakova pursed his lips. “Alec’s death? What are you talking about?” “It solves a problem.” “You’re spouting nonsense. I should think you’d realize that the murder of your fiancé creates all sorts of problems, starting with cancelling the wedding.” “Please Papa, don’t pretend you didn’t know.” “Know what?” “That I wasn’t happy.” She rose from the mahogany table where she was sitting and went to one of the large windows overlooking Manhattan. Raising her voice, she said clearly, “Alec’s death means I’m released from my obligation.” “You say it so distastefully!” “That’s because I didn’t want to marry Alec! I never wanted to be his wife. I don’t want to go back to Russia. It was something you arranged.” “He would have been a good husband,” he said woodenly.
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“In what way? Because he was wealthy? I don’t need his money, or anyone else’s for that matter—you know that.” “He was a handsome, intelligent man, well-connected …” “Yes, that’s it, isn’t it? You liked him for his connections and what they could bring you.” “I can’t believe you are speaking to me like this.” “Why, because I’m telling the truth? The only reason you arranged my marriage to Alec Rodin was because of what the situation could do for you. You must have known that I didn’t love him.” “You’re too young to know what is good for you.” “But not too young to be married off to someone with ties to the FSB!” “That’s ludicrous!” On the computer screen, Mikhail’s face was crimson. “Is it?” “Yes! Alec was a real estate developer, for God’s sake, not some ex-KGB. Honestly, Natalia, your imagination is too vivid.” “That’s not what Alec said.” “What do you mean?” “I mean that he knew I was right! He didn’t deny it. He was involved in the FSB, and for all we know, they’re the ones who killed him.” “Natalia!” I insist that you stop talking like this. Those studies of yours are warping your mind. You have no idea what you are talking about.” The young woman spun around, practically hurling herself at the computer. “That’s just the problem, Papa. I know exactly what I am talking about! At least Alec recognized that. I don’t know the extent of it, but it’s big. Theft of property, money laundering—our 23
new secret service has their fingers in all the pies. People like you refuse to see it, because you don’t want to know. You want your private jets, your dachas and designer suits—” “And apartments in Manhattan?” His voice was dry. “You seem to forget who bought you your place, Natalia, all six thousand, three hundred and forty-five square feet of it.” “I haven’t forgotten.” She gestured toward the windows that revealed the jewel of Manhattan—Central Park—in all its sprawling beauty. “How can I? It’s exquisite, Papa, and you know how much I love living here. But I don’t need something so opulent or so large. I don’t need ten bedrooms!” “We have been over this before, Natalia. The penthouse is an investment. And having the extra room means I can visit you whenever I can leave Moscow.” Natalia nodded. “I suppose that since I’m going to stay here …” “Stay in New York? Tell me you’re not still thinking about this ridiculous degree?” On the computer screen, his face was pinched and red. “Your fiancé is not even buried and you are making your plans? Honestly, Natalia, your lack of emotion worries me. Your mother would be appalled.” She bit her lip but said nothing. On the screen her father shook a finger. “I’m leaving now to finalize arrangements for Alec’s body. He will need to be flown back to Moscow for a funeral. You like to write stories? Start coming up with one that explains why you will not be there.” Mikhail Kazakova’s image disappeared. A few moments passed before Natalia turned to the massive man seated on the couch.
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“I did care for Alec,” she said, after a few moments of silence. “You know that, Sergei, don’t you? Whether he was FSB or not, I cared for him. But I didn’t want to marry him.” She wiped her eyes. Sergei rose fluidly to his feet, more gracefully than one would expect for such a large man, and offered Natalia a tissue. “Why is it my father can never see the truth?” She dabbed her tear-streaked face with the tissue. Words were not needed, so Sergei said nothing. Instead he pictured Alec Rodin—dead, his body lying lifeless and cold in the morgue. Whether he’d been a part of the organization Natalia described or not didn’t matter, nor did Mikhail’s schemes or dreams. Sergei wanted to feel relief that Natalia’s doomed engagement was over, and yet he felt vague discomfort instead. He glanced at the penthouse door as a saying of his grandmother’s came back to him in a rush: Beda ne prikhodit odna. Trouble never comes alone.
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The tea kettle whistled and Peggy Babson poured herself a cup of steaming water. She added a tea bag from a little plaid box and stirred in a packet of artificial sweetener. From a cabinet she pulled a flowered porcelain plate and placed two gingersnaps upon it. Before closing the box, she took one more. When the cabinet doors were closed, she kicked off her pink leather ballet flats, moved two piles of newspapers, and settled down in the converted porch with a new fashion magazine to enjoy the last of the afternoon sun. A knock on the door interrupted the quiet and startled her boxer, Pete. His yapping was insistent, high-pitched, and annoying— probably why he had been at the shelter in the first place. “Sshh!” Peggy admonished, shushing Pete’s growling as she went to the entryway and peered out the peephole. Two men stood on the stoop, looking slightly bored. Cops, thought Peggy, her pulse beating a little faster. She watched quite a lot of crime shows, especially the ones featuring psychics, 26
and knew what police detectives looked like. This section of the Rockaways wasn’t the kind of neighborhood where she had to demand to see identification, but she opened the door just a crack all the same. “Ms. Peggy Babson? I’m Detective Benedetti, and this is Detective Ryan. May we come in?” She glanced at their badges, proud at having divined their professions correctly. I really am quite gifted, she thought. “Of course.” She led the two men—a short, stocky one and his taller, more youthful companion—through the living room, explaining away the piles as best she could. “I’m doing some organizing,” she said, moving a stack of newspapers from the porch’s worn couch. “What is all this about?” “We’ll get to that in a moment.” The heavier one was clearly in charge. “We have a few questions to ask you, Ms. Babson. Will that be okay?” “Sure. Ask away.” “Fine. Now, you work in the city, correct?” “Yes. Columbia School of Journalism. My office is in Pulitzer Hall.” “I see. Were you at work today?” “Of course. In fact, I just got home.” The men glanced at each other. “I did some shopping on the way,” Peggy said quickly. “There’s a small supermarket right by the train station. Buy one get one free on Thursdays, and it’s not one of those giant ones where you spend all your time hunting for things.” “I see.” Detective Benedetti nodded and looked at his watch. “Ms. Babson, what time did you leave work today?” 27
She gave a guilty glance downward. “I usually leave at four-thirty, but it was such a nice afternoon that I skipped out a little early.” “And what time was that?” “Umm … close to three I think? But that isn’t something I do very often …” “We understand. Now, Ms. Babson, did you see or hear anything unusual while you were in your office or leaving the building?” She shook her head. “It was very quiet. That’s why I figured it was okay to go home.” “Did you see anyone coming into or leaving the building?” “No.” “You didn’t see anyone at all the whole afternoon?” “Well—yes, there was a man with a heavy accent. He was in talking to Professor Porter, and I saw him going down the stairs.” “What kind of an accent?” “I’m no expert on languages or anything, but it sounded Eastern European.” “I see. So you saw him from your office?” “No, I was coming out of the ladies’ room and I heard his feet on the stairs. I looked over the railing and saw the back of his head as he left the building.” “What was he doing in Pulitzer Hall?” “I don’t know. Ask Professor Porter.” “Miles Porter?” “That’s right.” She felt her cheeks flush just thinking of him. “It’s warm in here! Let me open a window …” Peggy Babson shoved aside a few cardboard boxes that were in front of the window, pushed up on the sash, and glanced toward the
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detectives. Was the younger guy smirking a little? She pretended not to notice. “Where were we?” “You were telling us that you heard Miles Porter speaking with this man,” prompted Detective Benedetti. “Yes. It sounded as if they were arguing, although I’m not sure what it was about.” “Did you hear anything at all? It’s very important.” She thought back. “I heard Professor Porter tell him to stay away from someone, and then I heard the man laugh.” “Anything else?” She bit her lip. “Miles Porter said something else to the man and he laughed again. A minute or so later I came out of the restroom and saw him leaving.” Detective Benedetti tilted his head. “Would you say Miles Porter was threatening the man? What exactly did he say?” Peggy Babson looked out the window. A fat robin was on a little patch of soggy grass, searching for a worm. Her parents, when they’d lived in this house, had kept birdfeeders full to the brim in the backyard, but Peggy didn’t have time to keep all of them up. She swallowed and looked into the cloudy eyes of Detective Benedetti. “I don’t know.” She saw them glance at each other as they rose from their chairs, heard them explain that the strange man she’d seen descending the stairs was now dead, stabbed in an alley off Broadway. “Dead?” She shook her head, feeling her heart rate pick up a few beats. “Seems impossible.” “Call us if you think of anything else?” Benedetti said, handing her his card. She promised she would. 29
But as Peggy Babson watched the detectives open the doors of a compact car and drive slowly down the street, she could scarcely concentrate on the words they’d uttered. She locked her front door with a distracted motion and smoothed the folds of her skirt. There was one image in her mind as she headed toward the kitchen where she’d pour herself a small Chardonnay and fix a plate of cheese and crackers. Professor Miles Porter and his killer good looks. _____ The bar was called Pomegranate, and although it was rapidly filling up with the after-work crowd, Miles managed to find a quiet table where he and Darby could sit down and talk. “We won’t stay long, love,” he said, ordering them each a drink. “We have dinner reservations at a little place that I think you’ll love. Hope you’re hungry.” Darby thought back to the last time she’d eaten. “I’m looking forward to dinner, put it that way. But I’m dying to hear about Natalia’s story. It must have had something to do with Alec Rodin’s death.” “He seemed genuinely concerned for her safety, I’ll admit. Maybe I should have given him the bloody thing.” “Given the timing, it doesn’t seem as if it would have helped.” Their drinks arrived and Miles paid the tab. “Cheers,” he said, lifting his drink to Darby’s. She tasted the cocktail and shook her head appreciatively. “A perfect Manhattan—whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters.” “That’s right.” He sat back and watched, waiting for her to say more. “What?” 30
“You know.” Miles gave a teasing smile. “Know what?” “Come on, do your amazing thing and tell me what kind of whiskey is in the drink. Or the age of the vermouth.” Darby couldn’t help but laugh. On several occasions when she and Miles had been together, she’d demonstrated her exceptional palate memory, a unique gift that enabled the young woman to identify many tastes and scents with uncanny accuracy. “It’s not a parlor trick, Miles.” She took another sip of the cocktail. “I know.” He sounded contrite. “You can only recognize what you’ve actually tasted in the past, right? And I take it rye isn’t one of them?” Darby held back a grin. The disappointment in his voice made her think of a small child denied a favorite candy. She looked into his earnest face. “True, I’ve never tasted rye whiskey. But this drink is made with Kentucky bourbon, and that I actually have sampled.” “Aha!” He gave a triumphant smile and then frowned. “But I thought a Manhattan was made with rye?” “If I tell you the history of this cocktail, will you tell me about Natalia’s paper?” Her brown eyes twinkled in the bar’s low light. He nodded. “It’s a deal.” “Okay, then, here’s the story. Originally, the Manhattan was made with American rye whiskey, that’s true. During prohibition, it was difficult to get rye, but corn was cheap and abundant, so bourbon flowed freely. Hence the whiskey in a Manhattan began being replaced with bourbon.” “Wasn’t it Winston Churchill’s mother Jennie who first requested the drink?” 31
“That’s the legend. Lady Randolph Churchill requested a drink made of whiskey, vermouth, and bitters in 1874 at the Manhattan Club, and this cocktail was born.” She tilted her head, enjoying the way Miles hung on her every word. “Would you like to know what’s in our drinks tonight?” “Do tell,” Miles said, reaching for her hand, “and then we’ll get more serious, I promise.” “Okay.” She took another small sip. “I believe the bourbon in this drink is Maker’s Mark, which comes from a distillery in Loretto, Kentucky. I sampled some at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition last year, and I’m pretty sure this is it. There’s one little difference from what I tasted, which makes me wonder if this could be a special variety called ‘46’ which is aged a little differently.” “You got me. Chances are our waitress won’t even know.” “The bartender will. I’m not up on my vermouths, nor do I know much about bitters, but I can tell you that what we’re drinking is properly called a ‘Sweet Manhattan’.” “What do you mean?” “There’s a tiny hint of cherry juice, and that wouldn’t be in a straight Manhattan.” She saw his face and quickly added, “I’m not complaining—in fact, I like it better this way.” He gave an appreciative whistle. “You’re amazing, you know that?” “Why, thank you, Mr. Porter.” She grinned. “Am I done performing now?” “Yes. That means it’s time for me to tell you about Natalia’s research.” He thought a moment. “Let me start at the beginning. The assignment was for my students to do a straight investigative story, using at least one source. I told the class that I would help flesh out 32
their ideas if anyone needed a sounding board, but Natalia didn’t seem to need assistance. I asked her at one point about her topic, and she said she’d met someone who had an amazing story.” “Obviously that person wasn’t Alec Rodin,” commented Darby. “Go on.” “Before this morning, I’d skimmed through her paper, but I hadn’t really had a chance to read it. I knew she was writing about properties that were stolen from the Russian nobility at the time of the Revolution, and I questioned the relevance to today—much as you did yesterday.” He paused and took a sip of his Manhattan. “However, what I discovered when I read it through is Natalia’s claim that these properties are now being given to officials in the Russian government, all of whom are part of an elite organization called the FSB.” “I think I’ve heard of it, but I’m not sure.” “The FSB is the Federal Security Service—arguably the most powerful of the successors to the KGB. In the years since the fall of the Soviet Union, it has slowly taken on the responsibilities of a number of agencies, including, most recently, the Russian equivalent of the United States’ National Security Agency.” He paused. “The FSB is considered by many to be the foremost symbol of a resurgent and ever more powerful Russian central government.” “It’s all sounding very Cold War-ish.” “I’m afraid that’s true.” She shivered. “So the FSB is reallocating properties that were seized during the Russian Revolution. So far it doesn’t seem as if Natalia’s paper contains enough evidence to have aroused Alec Rodin’s concern, never mind caused his death.”
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“I agree. It’s a worthy story, but it isn’t a smoking gun, so to speak.” “And this source … Natalia gave you no clues as to his or her identity?” “No. It’s tempting to think the person is here in New York. After all, Natalia told me that she’d ‘met’ her source. But in today’s world, we can ‘meet’ people online easier than in person. Natalia’s mysterious source could be anywhere.” “Good point, Miles.” She took another sip of her Manhattan. It was nearly gone, as was Miles’s, and she suspected he was ready for dinner, as was she. He met her gaze. “Let me take care of this,” he said, scooping up the receipt for the drinks. Darby chuckled. Miles had already paid the tab and had no reason to go back to the bar, unless … “You’re right!” he exclaimed, trotting back to the table. “Maker’s Mark 46.” “And the cherry juice?” She stood and shrugged on her jacket. “Right again. The bartender apologized for making us Sweet Manhattans. He’s absolutely gobsmacked.” “In other words …” “Amazed. Next time we come in we get a drink on the house.” “Well, what do you know,” said Darby, as Miles led her out of the bar. “Maybe it’s a parlor trick after all.” _____ Sergei watched the cook walk down the hallway from Natalia’s room.
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“She’s on the telephone,” the woman said, in Russian. “I told her that dinner was ready.” Her lips pressed closely together so that myriad wrinkles formed around her mouth. “She sounds pretty happy for someone who just lost the man she was to marry.” The bodyguard frowned. He did not like the cook and never had, although he did enjoy the hearty meals she prepared, especially her pelmeni—pastry dumplings filled with meatballs. “Isn’t it time you went home?” he asked gruffly. She sniffed and continued down the hall. A moment later he heard the main door slam. He shuffled toward Natalia’s room and paused outside, listening. Her voice was lilting, and although he could not hear distinct words, he knew she was speaking English. Suddenly she giggled and the sound was so unusual it made him start. Slowly he turned and headed back down the hall. In the morning her father, Mikhail, would arrive, and he could deal with this impetuous daughter. Sergei’s job was to protect her, not to babysit. The big man reached the dining room where the long table was set for two. His stomach gnawed with hunger as he beheld the silver dishes, steaming with something fragrantly delicious. He eased himself into the chair made specifically for his girth and waited. Hopefully she would conclude her phone conversation quickly and come to dinner, but where Natalia was concerned, one never quite knew what would happen. _____ “That was a fabulous dinner, Miles,” murmured Darby holding his hand as they walked down Central Park West. Knowing her fondness for French cuisine, he’d taken her to a small but bustling bistro 35
tucked a few blocks from Broadway. “Brings back such good memories of my mother’s efforts to master every dish in Julia Child’s cookbooks.” He chuckled. “I was hoping you’d like it, love. There are so many options for fabulous food in this city. I had a very difficult time deciding where we should go. Do you think Jada would have approved?” “Yes, I believe she and my father would have enjoyed themselves there.” Darby felt a quick stab of regret at having lost her parents at such an early age. They hadn’t had many opportunities to visit restaurants other than the few on the small island of Hurricane Harbor, Maine, where Darby had grown up. Their death in a sailing accident when Darby was thirteen had seen to that. The spring air had turned chilly and the trees lining the edge of the park shook in the wind. Darby thrust her hand—the one that wasn’t holding on to Miles—deep into the pocket of her trench coat. “Here we are, then.” Miles stopped in front of an opulent limestone building which covered the whole block. Grinning, he nodded at the heavy front door. “Right this way to my Big Apple flat.” He reached for the door and a uniformed doorman quickly appeared. “Let me get that for you, Mr. Porter.” The man ushered them in and grabbed Darby’s small suitcase at the same time. “Thank you, George.” In a low voice he said to Darby, “I feel like a real New Yorker. I actually know both the night and day doormen.” Darby smiled appreciatively as she entered the lobby, her feet tapping on the polished marble floors. Crystal chandeliers spilled soft light onto an enormous flower arrangement of spring blooms. “It’s lovely—a new building with old world charm.” 36
“Custom English oak paneling,” grinned Miles, gesturing toward the walls. “And a staff of forty. Makes me feel right at home.” “I’m sure.” Darby elbowed the tall Brit good-naturedly. “You’re from the landed gentry, I suppose?” “You’ll just have to take a trip with me at some point and find out.” “Oh, so that’s how it works. You know everything about my upbringing, while yours remains shrouded in mystery.” “I’ve visited your island and found it perfectly charming. Now you need to fly across the pond and visit mine.” He leaned over and kissed her lightly on the lips. “Shall we save the grand tour of this building for another time?” “Yes. I’m ready to see Professor Burrows’s pad, I think.” “Follow me.” Miles steered Darby to a sleek elevator and pushed the button for the ninth floor. “Charlie’s place is stunning, as you’ll see, but the condominiums on the higher floors are supposedly magnificent. I’m told there are several full-floor penthouses that exceed six thousand square feet.” “I’m impressed.” Darby knew—as did anyone who sold real estate—that there were some of the most expensive and unique properties in Manhattan, covering everything from coveted pre-war mansions, to spacious lofts, to Donald Trump’s fabulous towers. She also knew that this building, covering a full city block and across from the Park, was one of the more notable projects built in recent years, if not the star. “How long ago was this built?” “Five years, I think.”
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The elevator hummed to a halt and the doors opened with a quiet whoosh. “Here we are,” Miles said. They stepped into a hushed hallway lined with sconces and framed artwork. “I feel like I’m in a deluxe hotel, not an apartment building,” murmured Darby. Miles unlocked the door and flicked on the lights. “Voilá, Mademoiselle.” Darby was immediately drawn to the floor-to-ceiling panes of glass looking out on a darkened but still grand Central Park. “Wow, what a view,” she breathed. “It’s like the heart of the city is right there, waiting.” She turned and took in the open living and dining space, noting the soaring ceilings and polished wood floors. “What’s this, about twelve hundred square feet?” she asked Miles. “A thousand, I think. It’s one of the smaller units in the building, but Charlie was smart to buy it, don’t you think?” “Depends what he paid, Miles. If he got in on the ground floor, so to speak, chances are he is going to make a profit when he sells, providing the market keeps improving.” She admired the sleek kitchen with its gleaming appliances, bearing the best names and brands. “Either Charlie had a decorator for this place, or his wife is pretty talented.” “Decorator. Mrs. Charles Burrows flew the coop just after they bought it. I gather our friend is a fabulous teacher but not quite the doting husband. He had an affair and she went back to wherever they were from.” Darby took in the comfortable furnishings, eyeing a particularly appealing leather couch. Suddenly she felt very tired, as if the flight from Southern California had finally taken its toll.
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Miles made a sympathetic face. “Your busy day is catching up with you, love. Ready to turn in?” She nodded, stifling a yawn. “As soon as I check in with ET. He’s called a couple of times, so I’d better see what’s up.” “A multimillion dollar deal, no doubt.” “That would be totally fine with me.” Darby tossed her black hair and listened as her assistant Enrique Tomaso Gomez, or ET as she called him, answered the phone, his voice smooth and professional as always. “New York calling San Diego,” she joked, waiting for him to make a funny quip back. He exhaled. “Thank goodness you’ve called. There’s some trouble, I’m afraid.” “What’s up?” “Let me go into your office a moment.” She waited while ET, obviously wanting more privacy, changed phones. “It’s the people who bought the property in Poway.” “The Davenports? Jill and …” she thought a moment. “Carl. That was back in December, I think. What’s up?” He sighed. “They called yesterday and then again today. They’re very unhappy.” “Really? They were thrilled on the day the property changed hands.” “Yes, well, it seems that the addition on the back of the house has a moisture problem that the building inspector didn’t see. According to them, it’s fairly serious.” “Yikes. I can see why they are upset.” She pictured the great room with its stone mantel and distressed pine floors.
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“They asked for a mold expert and I gave them a few names. Hopefully, it’s something that can be taken care of promptly.” “Was there any indication in the property disclosure information that moisture was, or had been, an issue?” “No. I checked the disclosures and the inspector’s report as well and there were no special notations regarding the addition.” He paused. “I hope it will all blow over, but I wanted you to know.” “Thank you. You did the right thing in contacting me. How is everything else going?” “Fine. Claudia is listing a new executive ranch in Carlsbad, and I’ve booked you a few appointments for when you return. I’ll send you all the information.” “Thank you, ET.” Darby hung up her phone and turned to look out at the twinkling lights of Manhattan. It wasn’t like ET to be so succinct. He hadn’t even asked about her reunion with Miles, a subject of which he never seemed to tire. Was there more to the issue with the Davenports than her assistant was letting on? She groaned and turned from the window. Images from her flight and reunion with Miles flitted through her tired brain, including the bulky figure of Detective Benedetti flashing his badge. Was it her imagination, or did Miles seem to be uncharacteristically stressed? Usually the Brit was low-key and relaxed, but today Darby had detected an undercurrent of anxiety, even before they’d learned of the Russian’s death. Now I have my own issues to worry about, she thought. I can keep Miles company and get frantic over mold. The idea did not cheer her. Darby went to find Miles in the bedroom. He smiled warmly from the bed where he lay on his side, wearing only his boxers and
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reading a magazine. The muscles in his chest and arms were taut, well-defined, and as he flipped a page, Darby felt a surge of well-being edged with lust. Mentally she banished the strange encounters of the day, determined to put on something sexy as quickly as she could.
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