Read Online False Diamond--An Abbot Agency Mystery by Veronica Heley - Free Book Online Page B

reminded of sex. At her age, too!
    He cleared his throat. ‘Benton tells me you’re in the habit of taking in waifs and strays.’
    Now how had he come by that information? Ah, Max had talked to Benton, and Benton had talked to Leon. The information corridor between the conspirators – if that is what they were – was well established, and anything she said might go back the same way.
    She said, ‘Waifs and strays? In a way, I suppose. Maggie was wished upon me by her mother, who didn’t want the girl hanging around at home after she’d been sucked into a disastrous marriage and then dumped. She’s an ugly duckling who’s turning into a swan. She housekeeps for me part-time, but has a successful career as a project manager. Oliver is at university, studying something in the realm of Higher Maths, don’t ask me what. Way beyond my brain power. I would have supported him through university but he’s won a bursary here and a prize there and is almost paying his own way. He helps me out at the agency in vacation time. They’re both great. They call me Mother Hen.’
    â€˜Mother Hen?’ His eyelids crinkled. He liked that. ‘So they’re both off your hands, really?’
    â€˜Monetarily, yes. But they’re great company and I think of them as my second family.’ Except that Maggie was in trouble …
    The steaks came, and they didn’t talk much as they ate. The food was good and not overpriced. Satisfactory.
    â€˜Afters?’ he said.
    She leaned back in her chair, replete. ‘Coffee. Decaffeinated.’
    He ordered. He had the same knack as CJ of being able to summon waiters when required. ‘Have you thought any more about Dilys and what can be done to save her?’
    â€˜Some, yes.’
    â€˜If – and I’m just toying with the subject, you understand – Benton invited me to stay in order to have a witness when Dilys has an “accident”, then the next “accident” might prove fatal. Do you agree?’
    â€˜I do and I don’t. She’s your brother’s only daughter. Doesn’t he have some fondness for her? Wouldn’t her disappearance rebound on Benton?’
    â€˜Not from what my sister says. Like me, Dilys was an afterthought, born when my brother was well into his fifties, and her mother went off into the blue when the child was old enough to go to a boarding school. Just like mine. The Hollands don’t have a good track record in raising children. Dilys is no great brain, apparently. The family never expected her to be anything but a passenger till she married. I suppose they thought she might bring a suitable man into the business, but they don’t seem to have made any effort to introduce her to suitable men. I don’t think my brother cares tuppence for anyone or anything but his own comfort.’
    Bea wondered if Leon himself would ever have a child, and how he would treat her if he did. He was now, presumably, at about the age that his brother had been when he sired Dilys. Had Leon ever wanted a child? Had he been too busy? Had his partner refused to have one?
    She said, ‘Is the house in Dilys’s name, or in his?’
    He rubbed his chin. ‘I’m not sure. I assume it was a wedding present. Benton tells me he handles all the finances because she can’t be trusted to pay the utility bills on time. I know she’s signed over her shares in H & B to him, and I suspect he’s also had her make a will in his favour. She’s a sitting duck. So tell me, Mrs A., how to get rid of him.’
    She shook her head. ‘Kind sir, you do me too much honour.’
    â€˜Nonsense.’ The lines of his face hardened and for the first time she caught a glimpse of an acute businessman behind the carefree exterior. ‘You’ve studied the man, as I have. He’s a braggart, a con man. He’s taken over Holland and Butcher by convincing my