Page 30 of Death in the Family
“Yes. I have my own reasons for bringing you up here. I’d like you to tell me what you found out about Jasper’s disappearance. In private.”
“Oh.”Crap. “Well, Wellington and I are still—”
“Please. Don’t toe the line and tell me you can’t reveal what you’ve learned. My grandson was attacked. He’s been missing for hours. The time for decorum is done.”
“I’m not being evasive,” I said. “I need to speak with everyone in the house before I can draw any conclusions.” My wet clothes made a slapping sound when they hit the floor. “I will say, Mrs. Sinclair, that everyone I’ve interviewed so far has a different theory. I’d love to know yours.”
The curled-under ends of Camilla’s wig shivered as she breathed. “There was a man here yesterday. A trapper Philip hired. He thinks we have a problem with mink.”
I pulled on the pants, listening closely. “Norton—Philip—mentioned that. Do you think that man has something to do with this?”
“Philip’s convinced he does. I trust his judgment. I wish my family did as well.”
“You seem to think highly of him. Philip, I mean.”
“Oh, absolutely. Philip is a dear friend, I don’t know where I’d be without him.” She thought for a moment and shook her head. “But if he’s right and Jasper was kidnapped, shouldn’t there be a ransom note demanding money?”
“You’d think so, but it’s early. Could be a demand’s still coming.” I tried to sound convincing. Some years ago, I came across a public survey that showed four in ten Americans would murder someone for money. Forty fucking percent. Still, it was a struggle for me to resist offering my condolences on her grandson’s death. This didn’t feel like a ransom situation. “It’s true that where there’s money, there’s usually someone who wants to take it.”
Camilla sniffed. “They’re a little late.”
I fumbled with the buttons on my newly acquired dress shirt. Let my gaze travel over the sumptuous room. “I’m not sure I understand, ma’am.”
“I suppose it will come out eventually,” Camilla said, lifting her chin. “The business isn’t doing well. Not well at all.”
“Sinclair Fabrics? Is this a recent development?”
“I believe things started to go downhill two years ago.”
“When Flynn and Bebe took over?”
“When Baldwin and Rachel passed. It isn’t entirely Flynn and Bebe’s fault. The American textile market isn’t what it used to be,” Camilla said, though she didn’t sound entirely convinced.
My mind went back to the boathouse andLoophole, the conspicuously missing yacht. I hated to do it, but I had to ask. “Exactly how are your finances looking?”
She’d been expecting this question. “I have a little money set aside. And I still have my island.”
The way she said it, the multimillion-dollar estate might have been a crisp fifty pulled from a birthday card. “When your son and daughter-in-law passed away, what happened to their fortune?”
“It went to the children, of course.”
“Flynn, Bebe, and Jasper. So Jasper has some savings?”
“Oh, most certainly,” Camilla said. “He’s very careful about his finances. He’ll be absolutely fine.”
Of course he will, I thought.To you,Jasper’s perfect in every way. “Has he ever had to borrow money from anyone? An acquaintance, maybe?”
“Not Jasper. Jasper’s very responsible.”
“What about loaning money to someone else?”
“Not that I know of, no.”
“Earlier,” I said, “what did you mean when you said he deserves better?”
If Abella was sincere, I could guess Camilla’s answer. Jasper had a brute for a brother and his sister was a heartless shrew. Still, the noise of the storm dropped away as I waited for the woman’s response. “It hasn’t been easy for Jasper, growing up with Bebe and Flynn. The age difference has always been a problem. They side against him. Poor Jasper is never included. Oh, he doesn’t letthat stop him from doing what he wants—he’s a very determined person—but it often leads to jealousy.”
“Sounds like a lot of siblings I know.”
