Deadly Intent

wife was not likely to tell me if she had seen him.''Did you like him?''Like him?' He shrugged. 'He was very charming. I never really got to know him—well, not until recently. He was rather desperate as he had got into financial trouble; he said he'd lost a fortune, all his investments.''So did he mention to you what his intentions were?''No.''He never brought up the subject of importing drugs?''No.''But Honour knew?''I doubt it.'Anna tapped her notebook with her pen. 'So he turns up, desperate?'Damien leaned forward and patted the table with the flat of his hand. 'No, that isn't quite what I said. He may have been desperate for money, but he was not a desperate man. You have to try and understand the type of person he was. Alex had millions stashed all over the world; I doubt if he could recollect half the places he'd got hidden accounts. The bulk of his fortune was tied up in Germany and the U.S. The recent mortgage fiasco over there had closed the German bank, and all his investments went belly-up on Wall Street. The amount of money he lost must have been staggering for him to take such risks, coming back here to do business. I only ever saw him really angry once, and that was when he tried to explain how Julia had done some kind of fraud against him. Apparently, she had switched over his accounts into offshore banks. Don't ask me how or what it entailed, because I don't have the slightest idea. All he said was that she had really screwed him over and he needed to release a lot of money to pay off some people in Miami.''So, the time you say he appeared angry, would have been before he picked up the drugs? Did he discuss that he had a shipment coming into Gatwick—'Again, she was interrupted. 'No, he did not. I have answered this at the station. I was not privy to him turning up here with any drugs, nor did I see anyone else with him. I was at work. I had no idea that Honour had agreed to stash the crates in the henhouse. To be honest, if I had known, I would not have allowed it to happen. I was not here when she moved them to my mother's; I would not have allowed that either. All I did know was he turned up and was staying at my mother's because he was injured. I never saw him or spoke to him during that time.''And you never thought to contact the police?'He said that he thought of it, but he couldn't, because of Honour and his mother.'Even when you had seen the papers, the news broadcasts, the crime shows? You had to have known that he was wanted—and, not only that, but he was dangerous?'

Damien got up and stuffed his hands into his pockets, standing with his back to the fire. He became quite tense, his voice harsh. 'Why don't you try putting yourself in my position? My wife in love with him and now embroiled in his drug dealing, my mother unwittingly involved, and Julia terrified about what he would do to her. Then there are the children—my child! How in God's name could I do anything but behave like the proverbial ostrich? I did nothing. I am starting to get really irritated by your persistent attempts to make out that I was in any way involved.'

'I am only attempting to get to the truth,' Anna retorted sharply.

'The truth is exactly as I have described: he had us all caught like rabbits in the spotlight, afraid to make a move. You asked me if I liked him—liked him? I hated his guts. He was a vain, egotistical bastard; he would use anyone, and that included his kids and my wife.'

'Your wife claimed that you had an open marriage.'

He gave a short, mirthless laugh. Turning to put more logs on the fire, he kicked at the burned wood with the toe of his shoe. 'I don't know what she claimed. You could say it was open on her side; she never stopped loving him.'

'Did you have a sexual relationship with Julia to get back at her?'

'No, I did not. I had sex with her once.'

'To get back at him?'

He sighed, shaking his head. 'It was years ago. It wasn't connected to the drug deal. I had Julia calling me and crying about some woman who had moved into the house in St. John's Wood. I didn't even know he was in the country, and I hadn't even met him. This was the time I gave Julia the directions to come here. As soon as she told me Alex had another woman, I knew it had to be Honour, because she was not at home; she'd made some excuse about a friend being ill. Julia turns up here and ...' He gave an openhanded gesture. Then he walked back to the table and sat, stretching his long legs in front of him. 'That's life, isn't it? Honour desperate for a child; I spend one night with Julia and she's pregnant.'

'How did your wife react to that?'

'Honour is a bit like a homing pigeon; settled back here and just accepted it. I am going to see her later today. She's called and asked me to take in some clothes. She's wearing the same ones she was arrested in.'Anna closed her notebook and reached down for her briefcase. 'Have you any idea where he is?' She opened her case on the table and put in her notebook.'1 hope wherever he is, he rots in hell.'Anna snapped the locks on her case. 'So no more brotherly love between you?''My wife is in prison because of him; my mother may even be subjected to a trial. He's taken every cent out of her account; she was hoping she'd get custody ofjulia's children. He's hurt everyone he came into contact with.''He killed a lot of people, or they died because of him,' Anna said, standing.'If he surfaced here, or even tried to contact me, I'd strangle him.'She smiled. 'Well, that would be a mistake. I'll give you my card and contact numbers; if he does try to see you, call me.'He flicked at the card, holding it between thumb and forefinger. 'Can I call you?''I'm sorry?''Maybe for dinner one night? I sometimes have to lecture in London. I would enjoy your company when all this is over.''It won't be over, Mr. Nolan, until we find him.''But I can call you?'She smiled as she crossed to the back door. 'I don't think it would be very ethical, but thank you anyway. I appreciate the time you have given me, and the sandwich.'He joined her at the stable door and reached over her head to open it, swinging the top part back. Langton stood there, framed by the half-open door. 'Good afternoon, Mr. Nolan and Detective Travis.''I was just leaving,' she stuttered.'Really? Well, I was just arriving. You mind if I come in?''Not at all,' Damien said pleasantly enough, 'but, dear God, don't tell me I have to go over everything again!'Langton waited as the lower part of the stable door was open and he stepped inside. Anna could feel his contained anger as he passed her.Rather nervously, Anna reported that she was satisfied that Mr. Nolan had answered all her queries, and she had been about to leave and meet up with Langton.Langton glared at her and then looked at Damien. 'Maybe I'd like some answers.'Damien gestured to the table. 'Sit down.''I'll stay standing, if you don't mind.''Please yourself.' Damien sat.Anna hovered, unsure whether to remain by the door or sit back at the table.'Where's your brother, Mr. Nolan?''I have absolutely no idea.' Damien turned to Anna. 'I have explained to Miss Travis that, quite honestly, if I did know where he was, I'd probably be arrested for trying to strangle him.''Really? Could I see your passport, please?'Damien walked to a sideboard and opened a drawer; he searched around inside it, and then opened another. 'That's odd. I always kept it in here. Perhaps my wife has put it somewhere else.''I suggest you gave it to your brother, Mr. Nolan.''I did not.''Really. Can you look at this, please?' Langton passed over a search warrant.Damien glanced at it. 'I wouldn't have thought it necessary to get another one. The farm was thoroughly searched when it was presumed there were drugs hidden here.''Well, I am going to do another. You can join me or remain here with Detective Travis.'Damien smiled, and drew out a chair to sit down. 'Carry on.'Langton gave Anna a cold look and took off his coat. He tossed it over a chair and went to the sideboard. He began to search through the drawers and the cupboards below them. Satisfied he had found nothing of importance, he looked toward the small office room located offthe main kitchen. This was the room where Gordon had taken the photographs of the boat, the Dare Devil. Langton left the door ajar; he could be seen checking over the desk, opening more drawers, working quickly and methodically.Anna stayed sitting at the table. Damien was opposite her, twisting round and round the large signet ring he wore on his left pinkie finger.Gordon then appeared at the open door; he rapped on the frame with his knuckles and Langton walked out. He went to Gordon's side and they had a whispered conversation. Langton then continued his search of the office. Gordon remained standing outside.Anna joined Gordon to find out what was going on. Gordon glanced back into the kitchen and moved away a fraction. 'We reckon Fitzpatrick has escaped using Damien Nolan's passport. We're checking all ports now.'Anna kept her voice low. 'So Fitzpatrick made it back here, took his passport, and cleaned out his mother's bank account? He couldn't have been given it by Damien—he was at the station being questioned.'Langton asked for Damien to join him in the office. He had lifted a loose floorboard from beneath a rug. It had, by the look of it, been checked out before: there was no dust. 'Mr. Nolan, I want you to see this.' Langton held up a plastic-wrapped bundle of fifty-pound notes; they matched a large amount more, neatly stored beneath the floorboards.Damien got slowly to his feet.'We can get these serial numbers checked out, but why don't you tell me about how they come to be here?''I have never seen them before. I certainly had no idea there was this much money hidden in here. I mean, the farmhouse was almost stripped bare the last time your officers searched.'Langton continued to lift out bundle after bundle; all had clear plastic bags wrapped around them, with a paper wrapper giving the amounts of each bundle. Langton was hardly audible as he counted: ten thousand, twenty, thirty, forty .. .And still he kept on stacking the bundles.The money was taken from the office and carefully put on the kitchentable. Damien looked on with a puzzled expression; as the amount grew, he kept on shaking his