False Diamond--An Abbot Agency Mystery (34 page)

Bea scolded herself. Did she have any right to influence such matters? Probably not. Definitely not.

It still took her an hour before she lifted the phone.

A week later – a whole seven days without hearing from Leon – she received a cheque in the post marked ‘For Services Rendered', as Anna's application for the post had been successful. She would commute, starting at the beginning of the following month.

With the cheque from Leon came the usual invitation. Would she dine with him that night? Place and time to suit herself. He would send the car for her, and his chauffeur would take her home at whatever time suited her.

So he wasn't planning to jump her again? Mm. Oh well. Why not? She supposed he might already be wining and dining Anna, who was so much younger and more, well, eligible. This invitation was probably just by way of saying ‘thank you' to Bea. Nice to have known you.

Well, it might be pleasant to meet him again.

With some hesitation, she said, Yes.

She chose a brand-new pale-green and silver outfit to wear and, with her evening coat thrown around her shoulders, was whisked away in Leon's car to a new and pricey restaurant. One she hadn't visited before.

Leon was waiting for her. He held both her hands in his but didn't try to kiss her. ‘My behaviour last time … It's a wonder you're prepared to meet me again.'

She found herself smiling. ‘Water under the bridge.'

There was a new air of certainty about him. He looked … more solid? … less hesitant? … than before.

She declined an aperitif, and they were shown to their table straightaway. The tables were not set close together, and the menu had been curtailed to A4 size. Two points in the restaurant's favour. He waited for her to choose what she wanted to eat. A point in
his
favour. CJ always wanted to tell her what she would like to have. White wine, or red? She noted that he had no need to push his own importance.

Unlike Max. Ah well, at least he and Nicole seemed to have accepted one another's limitations and were getting on better now.

Leon said, ‘You've heard that I've taken over the UK end of Holland Holdings?'

‘Wasn't it a foregone conclusion?'

He shook his head. ‘I never wanted power. It amused me to think that I could help them out of trouble after their earlier rejection of me, but I had no intention of committing myself to the job. Gradually, I came to see that I'd been given an opportunity to make a difference, and that I did have some of the right skills for the job. I've been inviting the managing directors of each of the companies to meet me, to discuss the future. Already, I'm beginning to see where certain procedures could be tightened up, more emphasis placed on … well, on fair trade and honest dealing.' He laughed. ‘Now there's a phrase that's frightening the life out of them!'

Bea applauded. ‘Good for you.'

He sobered. ‘There's no guarantee that I'll succeed, but there is a cold wind blowing about the ankles of those who cut corners and increase their wealth at the expense of the people they're supposed to serve. Perhaps I have a chance.'

‘With all my heart, I hope you succeed.'

He raised his glass in a toast. ‘I trust your judgement implicitly. Which brings me to another favour I need to ask of you. An even bigger one. I would like us to be friends. I know that I need your company and advice far more than you need mine. But there it is: I'm asking.'

She narrowed her eyes at him. ‘You need a trophy woman to hang on your arm at functions. There must be hundreds of women who'd jump at the chance.' And what about Anna?

‘Fake blondes are crawling out of the woodwork. Career women are throwing themselves under my car wheels every time I drive out. If I'm asked to dine anywhere, there'll be at least two beautiful babes vying for my attention. I need protection.'

‘Use an escort agency. Or look among your executives.'

‘You've taught me not to mix business with pleasure. And why should I when I could be enjoying the company of a wise and witty woman who knows how to behave?'

So he'd looked at Anna and decided not to go down that road?

Bea stared into the future, thinking that she could see where a friendship with this man might lead. She had plenty of friends in her life already, but it was a long time since her dear husband had died and left a void in her life. She'd become used to being on her own and bearing other people's burdens, but it struck her now that life recently had become somewhat … grey.

‘You mean an occasional meal out, perhaps once a month?'

‘I mean you and me. Telling one another our joys and sorrows, knowing our secrets would be safe with one another. For a start, I'm invited to bring a partner to a Mansion House dinner. Would you care to accompany me? And that's only one of the invitations on my desk.'

Her first thought was: what should she wear? Which meant she'd already decided to accept. ‘I'm too old for you. You must find a younger woman who will care for you, give you children.'

‘I know exactly how old you are. I am two years and one month younger than you. So what! Yes, it is possible that I may some day meet someone I can love enough to marry. I'll bring her to you to vet, shall I?'

She had to laugh at that.

The future would be more colourful with him in her life, even if it were only for a few months. Yes, she might get hurt, but … live a little, Bea.

He lifted his glass in a toast to her.

She continued to smile, knowing that she was opening a door on to the future which might lead … anywhere.

‘Agreed,' she said, and touched her glass to his.

Bea put the phone down on a satisfied customer, and it rang again.

This time it was Inspector Durrell. ‘Are you cooking?'

Bea laughed. ‘At three in the afternoon? Try again when you've some good news for me.'

‘Oh, I have. We've arrested Ginevra, stopped her at Heathrow as she tried to leave for the Caribbean. She'd dyed her hair black but had made a poor job of replacing her passport photo with one to match her new appearance. She's trying to make out she's as innocent as a newborn, and that any money in her account in the Cayman Islands is repayment of a sum she'd lent Benton earlier. Oh, and she denies all involvement in the deaths of her husband and his children.'

‘You've got enough to hold her?' Bea was alarmed at the thought of Ginevra getting off on a technicality.

‘There's more than enough forensic evidence to send her for trial, plus statements from Clodagh and Ricky. Rest assured, she's not getting away with it. So, when can I catch you in? I've told my wife about your toaster. She says I ought to get you a replacement, to make up for all the meals I've scrounged off you.'

‘Zander fixed the old toaster and bought us a new one, but it would be good to see you. I'm out this evening. Tomorrow do you?'

‘You can't find me a small window today?'

‘You want something? The answer is “no”. I'm too busy.'

‘It's only a little thing. Won't take you half an hour to solve.'

‘No.'

‘I'll be round in five minutes …'