Page 44 of Go Now
'Exactly.He lost billions.Whilst also owing the IRS a considerable amount, dating back to the late Eighties.Ursula Blackstone was basically working 24/7 to keep up appearances whilst, in reality, the cupboard was bare.On the back of that conversation, I took a further look into their financials.That string of homes the family had – Paris, Monaco, London, Aspen – they're either rented out or they've been sold.Same goes for about two-thirds of their massive art collection.'
‘Could that be why they cancelled the “Sacred and Profane” exhibition?’Kate asked.
'I can't find any direct proof of that.Arguably cancelling the exhibition would have been more costly to them than running it.If it did well, they might have expected to recoup their outgoings, or some of them, at least.However… are you ready for this?'
‘Go on.’
'The assorted artists who contributed to the planned exhibition were to receive a kind of rental fee for the inclusion of their works.Furthermore, at the end of each leg of the tour, there was a planned auction of some or all of the works shown and, should their contributions be included and sold, the creators were down to receive fifty percent of the fee.Not one artist has received a cent so far.Consequently, a number of them are mounting a class action suit, in order to force Blackstone to pay up.'
'And I'm guessing there's no sign of her doing that,' Kate said.Chen held up a finger.Wait.
'I've seen a list of all the artists who are part of that legal case.There are nine names.They include Brandon Ashworth, Elena Vasquez, and David Sterling.'
There was total silence in the little office.Elsewhere on the floor, a woman laughed, a strange counterpoint to the grim, heavy news that Chen had just imparted.
‘So there’s a clear motive for murder,’ Kate said quietly.‘A dead artist can’t sue.’
+ + + + + +
Arranging to interview Ursula Blackstone for a second time had been something like a game of chess.Kate and Marcus had been all for returning to the palatial apartment with a warrant, but when they’d put in the request to their boss, Assistant Director Winters, she’d been firmly set against the idea.
'I'd like to say that no one is above the law,' Winters said.'But people like the Blackstones know to game it.She'll make a stink if there's so much as one comma out of place on the warrant, and we'll all find ourselves dealing with that, instead of progressing the investigation.Invite her to come to the field office.It will give you the psychological upper-hand.But make her feel as if it's her choice.'
‘How do I do that, ma’am?’
''This is probably a good juncture to tell you that we've proven the arrest footage of James Caldwell was doctored.The media site in question has taken the footage down, so you're all in the clear.'
‘That’s great -’
Winters interrupted her.'It was nonetheless a bungled arrest from the get-go.Did you do any sort of risk assessment before going in?And since when do we bring our buddies in the P.D.along for the ride?It was a royal mess, Kate.You need to do better.'
A click, and she was gone.Kate felt her cheeks burning; not with annoyance or embarrassment, but because she realised the boss was completely right.They needed to do better.
But A.D.Winters didn’t have to deal with Blackstone’s British-accented and unbelievably condescending P.A., who kicked off the next round of negotiations by announcing that her employer could ‘possibly find a window’ to meet them in three weeks’ time.
'That's not happening,' Kate had said.'And if it does, I'll be charging you and your employer with obstruction.' Before the P.A.could make a counter-move, she pressed on, bluffing wildly.'I have the power to force Ms Blackstone to come here at midday today.I can also make sure that she's brought here in a police patrol car.What I can't do is guarantee that the media won't be out in full force to observe that happening.That would be really regrettable, but what is it they say?A picture is worth a thousand words?A picture or two like that on the evening news would be so damaging to the family's reputation.I'd really rather that didn't happen.'
There would be fall-out.Kate knew that. But it would come later, and who knew, maybe it wouldn't matter because she'd solved the case.She reminded herself of that as Blackstone sat in the chair opposite Kate and Marcus, radiating a kind of cold fury.She'd lawyered up, as was her right; the seasoned family retainer sitting next to her looked like a former prize-fighter, who'd maybe gone to seed a little, but could still break jaws.He was in his early sixties, with a handmade suit and eyes like a raptor.This wasn't going to be an easy conversation.
‘When we spoke about Brandon Ashworth and Elena Vasquez yesterday, you didn’t mention the fact that they’re suing you.’
'You didn't ask me about it,' Blackstone replied calmly.
'With respect, we discussed the recent murders of both of those artists.And given the fact that you had a difficult relationship with them, I'd have thought you might have wanted to make that clear.Unless, of course, there was something that you really didn't want to draw my attention to.'
‘This is ridiculous,’ the lawyer interrupted.‘You’re attempting to deduce something from what shehasn’tsaid.Arguments from silence don’t cut it, sweetheart.’
‘It’s Agent Valentine,’ Kate said coldly.‘Patronising me won’t cut it, either.’
The lawyer opened his mouth to deliver a retort, but Blackstone put a slender hand on his wrist, very gently, to silence him.
'I didn't have a difficult relationship with either of them,' she said.'Admittedly, they were suing me, but I didn't take that personally.It was business.I still admired their talents.'
‘Did you feel the same about David Sterling?’
'The photographer?He's part of the class action, isn't he?Well, yes, it's the same.No doubt some highly unscrupulous lawyer – my apologies, Charles – has persuaded all of these artists that they're going to get a big payout, and I'm afraid they're misguided, but I don't really hold it against them for trying.'
‘David Sterling was murdered yesterday in his darkroom.’
