Page 77 of Crocodile Tears

Josiah sat back in his chair, winded. “How did you know it was yesterday?” he asked. “The anniversary of his death – how did you know?”

“I read about it. I remember things. I have a good memory.” Alexander shrugged.

Josiah sensed a glimmer of a lie, but he couldn’t identify it. There had been numerous articles written about him since he’d risen to fame a couple of years ago; it wasn’t beyond the bounds of possibility that Alexander had remembered such details.

“Elliot Dacre died owing a vast amount of money,” he continued doggedly. “It doesn’t matter what it says in his will – legally, you’re counted as an asset, and as he died with so many creditors, you’ll be sold to settle his debts. You aren’t free, Alexander.”

“Oh, I know that.” The indie waved his hand dismissively. “Elliot liked to talk big and live large, but I knew he was in trouble financially. If he put in his will that I was to be freed after his death, it was simply to charm me.”

“He owned you; why would he want to charm you?”

“Because of what happened on Saturday, at the show.” Alexander gestured impatiently at his shoulders. “Elliot felt guilty about that. Freeing me in his will was a grand gesture, designed to make him feel better and to show me how sorry he was. It didn’t really mean anything; I knew his party lifestyle was out of control – he spent money like water and always lived beyond his means.”

“If you didn’t kill Elliot Dacre, then who did?” Josiah asked suddenly, hoping to wrong-foot his prisoner.

Alexander blinked, and Josiah pressed home his advantage. “Do you know who killed him? Or maybe suspect someone?”

“No,” Alexander said, and was his reply a shade too fast? “I have noidea who killed him. As far as I know, Elliot didn’t have any enemies. He was harmless – most people who knew him were fond of him. I can’t think why anyone would want to kill him.”

“Why didn’t you tell me yesterday that Elliot was in debt?”

“And do your job for you?”

“Don’t be facetious.”

Alexander straightened. “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t know for sure. Elliot didn’t share his financial status with me – I simply guessed his spending was out of control from conversations I overheard and because I’m not stupid. I certainly didn’t go snooping into his private affairs. Yesterday, you told me quite clearly that you’re only interested in the plain, hard facts. I didn’t think you’d appreciate hearing what are merely my suspicions.” He spoke in a rapid, serious tone, and Josiah felt a grudging respect for the reply.

“Why did you run away yesterday when we approached you outside the house?” he asked, changing tack again. “If you’re innocent, why run?”

Alexander sighed. “I’m a valuable piece of property. I’m sure you know how much Elliot paid for me. He was always paranoid that I’d be kidnapped and ransomed. He told me that if anyone tried to steal me, I should run.”

“Even from state-appointed investigators?”

“I didn’t know that’s what you were. In fact, I didn’t seeyouat all – I saw Investigator Reed, running towards me, yelling. He had his gun drawn, and, no offence, but he doesn’t exactly look sweet and cuddly.”

He had a point. There was no doubt that Reed’s burly body and squashed nose often gave people the wrong impression.

“Are you saying that if you’d seen me, not him, you wouldn’t have run?”

Alexander looked at him from under lowered eyelashes. “Oh, I’dneverrun away from you, sir,” he said, in such a provocative tone that Josiah couldn’t hold back a bark of laughter.

“I’m far more dangerous than Reed.”

“I’m well aware of that.”

“One more thing – do you always have an answer for everything?” he asked, exasperated.

Alexander grinned at him, and he found himself grinning back; there was something so exhilarating about verbally sparring with this man. He cleared his throat and stood up, annoyed with himself.

“I think we’re done – for now.”

“Will you be holding me for much longer?” Alexander asked. “If so, then a shower and a change of clothes would be nice.” He gestured at his crumpled clothing.

“I’ll see what I can do.”

Josiah left the room, feeling as he always did after a conversation with Alexander Lytton – confused, irritated, and fascinated, in equal measure.

“That was interesting,” a familiar voice said, dryly, from the observation room. “Get in here and talk to me, Joe.”

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