“Thomas, may I ask what led you to do all this?”
“Missus told me to. She said she was unnerved now that she was living all alone.” He frowned. “She’s never acted afraid of much of anything, but I guess losing a spouse can really change a person’s life.”
“I’m sure it can.”
“Just so you know, once you set the alarm up with your phone, you’ll have total control over the house. You can set permissions from there.”
“Fine, Thomas, thank you.”
“Yessir.”
“Are you married?”
“I am. We just celebrated our thirty-fifth anniversary.”
“Congratulations,” Gage replied. “Any children?”
“We have a daughter. She’s all grown now.”
“Is she nearby?”
“Outside of Frankfurt, so I get to see her on the weekends and occasionally during the week,” he answered, not without a trace of pride.
Gage gnawed his lip, unsure of how to delicately transition the conversation. “Thomas, I’m here to make Claudia feel safe. I hope you won’t be offended that I’ll be keeping the house locked. Tomorrow, I’ll get a phone that I’ll hook up to this alarm system. Of course, you’ll just call me if you need to come in.”
Thomas dipped his head. “It’s no problem at all. When you said ‘estate employees,’ I knew that included me. Missus Claudia has always been good to my family and me. I want her to feel safe.” From his belt, he unclipped a ring of shiny, labeled keys. “All the locks were just changed, too. These are the master keys.”
“I do appreciate it,” Gage replied, taking the ring. “Any other words of advice for me about the property or anything else?”
“I can show you around tomorrow, if you like, when it’s light. Give you some tips as we walk.”
“That would be good.”
Thomas seemed hesitant about something.
“Something you want to say, Thomas?”
“Don’t know if I should.”
“Thomas, you and I will have to learn to trust each other. I’m going to be here for a while. You be open with me, and I’ll do the same.”
He nodded. “It’s the Vogel daughters, Gage. I saw them come over today, so I assume you’ve met them.”
“I have.”
“They’re a tough twosome. Be careful what you say around them.” Showing a bit of the vigor he’d probably had as a young man, he poked a finger in Gage’s direction. “I went out on a limb telling you that.”
“That’s between us,” Gage replied, showing his palms. “I appreciate the advice, Thomas.”
“Believe you me, they get it from their father.”
Their father? “Really?”
“Oh yeah,” Thomas said, lips tightening over his teeth. “He played the nice old man act like a good actor—but he wasn’t a nice old man.”
“I thought you said the Vogels have been very good to you?”
“No,” Thomas answered. “I said Missus Claudia has been very good to me. She’s always been the secret behind the family success.”
“How long did you work for him?”
“Thirty-four years. Started right after I got married.”
“Would you mind telling me a little more about him?”
Now Thomas looked as if he’d opened Pandora’s Box. He licked his leathery lips, appearing to waver.
“Thomas, I won’t betray your confidence. Everything you tell me helps me keep Claudia safe.”
“She thought Herr Vogel was faithful. Still does, far as I know.” Thomas shook his head. “Not true. That man rutted with more women than any married person I’ve ever known. He was just sneaky about it—that’s how come he never got caught.” Thomas massaged his heart, making Gage wonder if he had a condition. “Beyond the cheating, the old man was never as good in business as everyone thought.”
Gage’s eyes opened widely. He looked around at the manor.
“I know, I know,” Thomas said. “It was Missus Claudia who was the brains. After she stepped away from the business, it didn’t grow anymore. In fact, I’ve often wondered how the money kept coming in. It wasn’t from real estate, I know that.”
“Interesting.”
The caretaker shrugged, speaking in his rural dialect. “I’ve heard rumors for years that he was connected to organized crime. Maybe that’s where the money came from.”
“Really?”
“Yep.”
“Who told you that?”
“A number of people, and there was a news article about it right after he died. All I know was Herr Vogel was cheap, cruel, sexist and mean as hell. And he never loved those daughters. I’ve often wondered…”
“Wondered what?”
Thomas’ face drew into an angry scowl as he looked away.
“Say it, Thomas.”
The older gentleman turned his clear blue eyes to Gage. “I wonder if he might’ve had his way with ‘em, when they were young.”
Gage didn’t respond for a lengthy moment. “What makes you say that?”
“When they were teens and the missus was away…he acted extremely odd. But I never had one gram of proof.”
“I understand you weren’t making an accusation, but I appreciate your candor.”
“Even if he didn’t touch those girls, you’ll soon see that something’s wrong with both of them.”
“I certainly noticed some strange behavior just today. This is all very helpful,” Gage replied, wondering what he could say that would keep the man talking. Despite the weighty subjects, intel such as this was critical to his mission. “What else, Thomas?”
“Can’t say I feel bad for telling you how Missus Claudia was the reason for the success, and not Herr Vogel. He wasn’t nothin’ but a hollow suit.” Thomas shook his head. “I can’t blame her for havin’ that affair.”
Gage gnawed the inside of his cheek but said nothing.
“Listen to me, tellin’ all the family secrets.”
“I won’t repeat it,” Gage said, recalling Claudia’s confession. “Did you know who she had
