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“I won’t,” Mike said. “I won’t ever.”
“And you, Agent Drummond, you will keep her safe.”
Nicholas said, “That could happen if I could only talk her out of leaping off tall buildings in a single bound.”
CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO
Mike rested her head against the window as Nicholas drove and filled her in on everything he’d learned, from Ben and Penderley to Gray and his discoveries about Lilith Forrester-Clarke.
“Gray said Lilith’s credit cards and passport confirm she was in London three weeks ago. She wasn’t dumb enough to put the Fortnum and Mason gift hampers on her credit card, but Gray pulled the CCTV footage from the cameras at F and M and there she was, carrying two hampers. One for Elizabeth St. Germaine and the other for David Maynes, Cassandra and Ajax’s father.”
“So, murder, pure and simple. Those two are frightening, Nicholas. Imagine, having your own father killed.”
“Evidently they believed he’d gone too far when he turned historical and private family papers to Elizabeth St. Germaine.
“I also asked Gray to send the CCTV footage to Penderley. I’m sure by now they identified Lilith’s fingerprints—she was in MI5 after all—and the tox screens found poison in both St. Germaine’s and Maynes’s bodies.”
His mobile rang. He didn’t recognize the number, but answered, putting it on speaker.
An Italian voice said, “This is Deputy Inspector Nando, Agent Drummond, Dr. Sienza’s brother. I wanted to update you on the situation in the Kohath palazzo, namely the tunnels in the mountain. We have found several bodies, including the female victim you spoke about. We have identified her as an employee, Lilith Forrester-Clarke, just as you said. The Carabinieri request that you come back to the palazzo for full interviews.”
“I have told you everything, Inspector Nando. The dead bodies were all Kohath guards and I never knew their names, except for one—Harry. Also, I am about to get on a plane and won’t be able to come back right away. Can you tell me, did you find Grant Thornton?”
“There is no one here who matches his description. But as you warned me, there is a great deal of blood, bullets, and other evidence. The maid here is insisting you stormed into the house, killed her employers, and made off with their bodies. The fact that she hadn’t called us, the polizia, however, is telling.
“Regardless, Agent Drummond, the Carabinieri are insisting you join us and help us to understand what has happened. If you don’t come willingly, I fear they will detain you.”
Nicholas heard the urgent note in Nando’s voice, clearly a warning.
“You should question the maid closely. She will identify all the dead guards for you. You’d do well to arrest any staff left in the palazzo, because they know more than they’re letting on about the family’s actions today. As for the Kohaths, her employers, they have left Italy and we, the FBI, are tracking them.
“Nando, I will do all I can to help you, but you’re going to have to stall the Carabinieri for me, and wait until after we apprehend the Kohaths.”
“We have frozen the scene, but I cannot control what the Carabinieri does. About the Kohath twins—be very careful, Agent Drummond. I must tell you, I have heard many rumors about the two of them, very unpleasant rumors of unpredictable and vicious behavior. Then there is the number of guards on their payroll.
“We are a small peaceful town. Why are guards even there? For what purpose? No one can or will say—again, rumors. It is all worrisome. So again, take care. Bring them back. That would be best. For me.”
“I will try, Nando, thank you.”
He clicked off and looked at Mike.
“The Carabinieri would like to get their hands on us, I fear. Do you think Major Russo could be involved?”
“Nothing would surprise me at this point. Let’s hope they don’t stop the plane before we get in the air.”
Nicholas called ahead, explained the need for urgency.
They got to the airport in Perugia just as the plane finished refueling. They saw Trident making her exterior check. She waved, called out, “We know, we know, we need to get off the ground in the next ten seconds. Clancy’s inside, doing his flight check as fast as he can. Get inside. I’ll keep an eye out. You said the Carabinieri’s not happy with you?”
“Not a bit,” Nicholas said cheerfully.
Nicholas followed Mike up the stairs into the cabin. He supposed he shouldn’t be surprised to see Louisa and Adam already on board.
Louisa held up her hand. “Don’t start, Nicholas. No way were we going to stay in Venice and let you and Mike have all the fun. So sit down, be quiet, and suck it up.”
“Sucking it up,” Nicholas said, and helped Mike into a seat, fastened her seat belt, and covered her with a blanket. He looked at the two of them. “Actually, I’m really glad you’re here. We need all the help we can get.”
“Recognition—about time,” Adam said. “Hey, Mike, you look like someone tried to drown you.”
