Avery knocked.
It took a few moments, but both doors opened grandly, letting soft music spill into the lobby.
Elis Goff was wearing a bathrobe and a grin. “Sorry, I was just getting out of…” His eyes fell upon Avery. “What are you doing here?”
Avery quickly noted the superficial dampness in his hair. There was a clear dry spot behind his ear and along his neck as if he’d simply wet his hands and run them through his hair to give the appearance of having taken a shower. True to Benjamin’s description, Elis Goff appeared no less the cad he’d been painted. “I was invited.”
“I thought it might be fun to start the night a littledifferently,” Saga smiled sweetly.
It melted Elis’s apprehension, and he stood aside. “Girl after my own heart.” He gave Avery a slow appraising look up and down. “Did you bring your handcuffs?”
“Great place,” Saga complimented quickly, releasing Avery’s arm. “Was this your personal acquisition?” She took a few steps farther inside to admire the chandelier hanging in the living room.
“The Regent is one of many properties owned by my family.” There was a charmless quality to his smile. “Though I suppose they are all mine now.”
“Really?” Avery feigned awe. “At the funeral, it sounded like maybe a few parties thought they’d be remembered in Eira’s will.”
Elis shrugged, his hands resting behind him on a sturdy console table. “Well, my mother was generous, I’m sure she will have taken care of many when its officially released…” His chest puffed up, posturing. “But ultimately as her only child, it would be absurd to think Iwouldn’tbe compensated.”
Saga saw through him. “Are you trying to brag about your incoming inheritance?”
Elis laughed. “No, God no, it’s not like that.” He shook his head, far toocasually. He either truly had nothing to hide or had no idea what they were circling. “I know you’re not really concerned with that sort of thing, but doesn’t it help?” His eyebrows bounced suggestively. “Have you ever made love on a private beach? I can vouch that it’s heaven.”
“Is that where you took Valentina?” Avery interjected.
Elis’s attention snapped back to her. “Pardon?”
“Valentina LaRosa, your mother’s caretaker,” said Avery, looking up from what appeared to be an antique vase. “You took her for a luxurious getaway?”
Elis sputtered. “I… Did you talk to Val?”
“It couldn’t have been that long ago either, she still had a tan line from her bathing costume.”
Bewildered, Elis shifted his gaze between Avery to Saga. “What’s with the third degree, gorgeous? You worried I’m not clean? I’ve been tested regularly.”
“You said you wanted to clear up the nasty rumors,” said Saga. “So. Clear them up.”
Realization dawned on his face, and he nodded with a deep sigh. “Ah… I see what’s going on. You’re worried I’m some kind of creep, so you bring your officer friend to shake me down and make sure I’m on the up-and-up.” He laughed a little and in that there was genuine mirth. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little disappointed this wasn’t going to be a ménage à trois, but I can respect your situation.” He cleared his throat and tightened the belt of his robe. “Perhaps I should get dressed. Not too keen on being interrogated without my shorts.”
Saga smiled again, sweet and understanding. “As you’d like.”
He was quick about it. Either clothing had been handy or he was simply eager to get this over with so that he could perhaps remove the perceived barrier between himself and the night he’d initially planned. He came back into the room, wearing slacks and tucking in his partially buttoned shirt. The white fabric was unflattering, giving him a somewhat sallow appearance. Or perhaps it was the yellow lighting in the foyer. “I know I have areputation, so I don’t blame you, but you really didn’t need to bring the constable.”
“Detective.” Saga corrected cooly. “And I like to be thorough.”
Avery felt a small surge of pride on her behalf. She was handling herself impeccably well.
Elis sighed and waved them both into the sitting room to the leather couches facing each other. “Well, in regards to the rumors, at least half of them are true.”
“Which half?” Avery asked, declining to sit. Instead, she circled around the couch and stood behind Saga like a bodyguard.
Elis frowned and rubbed the back of his neck. “I did not take the passing of my wife and son well… I realize that’s probably the understatement of the century, but my therapist and I have been working on speaking plainly rather than dancing around the point.”
“You’re seeing a therapist?” asked Saga, perhaps a little too surprised.
“It’s a newer development. I’m not sure it’s for me, but I promised someone I would give it an honest try.” He squirmed a little. “I know I have a history of deflecting my problems, especially onto others.” Another deep sigh. “You were right at the funeral. It wasn’t fair to put all of that on the doctor. He probably did everything he could. But I’ve never been good with feeling powerless, so I take control where I can. In the past that has resulted in…burying myself in meaningless affairs.”
“Is that what happened with Valentina?” asked Avery, weaving her intention into every syllable.
