7
Destiny’s initial delight at finding Ben and Kathleen on her doorstep was pretty much doomed to fade quickly, quite likely because her nephew had absolutely no notion how to finesse such a touchy conversation. Kathleen barely contained a sigh when Ben declined a drink, declined to take off his coat. It was pretty much apparent that he was on a mission and he was impatient to get it over with. Kathleen spotted the immediate suspicion in Destiny’s eyes at his curt manner.
“Actually we’re on our way to Richard’s,” he told Destiny the instant they’d stepped inside. He showed absolutely no inclination to set one foot any farther into the house.
Destiny looked a bit taken aback, but quickly rallied. “Really? For dinner? And you invited Kathleen to join you. How lovely.”
“We’re probably going to order pizza,” Ben told her, oblivious to the hopeful note in Destiny’s voice. “Richard’s wallpapering the nursery. And we’re planning to watch.”
Destiny’s deep-throated chuckle cut through the tension. She seemed to relax a bit. “Yes, I can see how that would be immensely entertaining. Perhaps I’ll come along.”
“Sure,” Ben said. “But I need to talk to you about something first.” He glanced pointedly in Kathleen’s direction.
“May I use the powder room, Destiny?” she asked dutifully.
Destiny clearly wasn’t fooled for a second by the abrupt pretext. She gave Ben a piercing look. “What is this about?” When Kathleen started to leave, Destiny arrowed a look in her direction. “Stay right here, Kathleen.”
“But—” Kathleen protested, only to be cut off.
“I would appreciate it if you would stay,” Destiny repeated, then frowned at Ben. “Does this have anything at all to do with your brother or Carlton Industries?”
Ben stared at her in obvious shock. “How do you know that?”
“Oh, please, do you think I don’t know what goes on over there?” Destiny scoffed. “I have an office right down the hall from your brother’s. It might be mainly for window dressing, since I’m family and I am a member of the board, but I’ve been known to spend time there. I’m privy to what’s going on in the company. I even have a secretary, as you very well know. And people actually stop in to chat from time to time. There’s very little that goes on around there that I don’t know about.”
Kathleen bit back a smile as Ben sighed, and asked, “More of your inside sources, I presume.”
“Of course,” she said without apology. “I know how invaluable contacts can be. It’s how the business world works. And despite my refusal to take my proper place at Carlton Industries, it was impossible to grow up around your grandfather and father without learning a thing or two about how important it is to keep one ear to the ground at all times. It avoids a lot of nasty surprises.”
“Did your insider tell you what Richard is upset about?” Ben asked.
“The European division,” she said at once, proving that she didn’t spend all of her time in that office sipping tea and gossiping with the friendly staff. “It hasn’t been performing as well as he’d hoped and he thinks it’s being victimized by the owner of a British company.”
“Exactly,” Ben said. “A man named William Harcourt.”
Kathleen kept her gaze locked on Destiny’s face when the name was mentioned. Aside from the faint shadow that darkened her eyes, she betrayed nothing.
“Do you know him, Destiny?” Ben asked point-blank.
For a moment Kathleen thought Destiny was going to evade Ben’s question. Instead she drew herself up regally.
“I did at one time,” she admitted. “But I imagine your brother already knows that. He certainly paid enough to that private detective who was poking around over there.”
Ben regarded her with chagrin. “You found out about that, too?”
“Darling, I lived in that village in France for a number of years. Of course I have friends there who would let me know about a stranger who was asking too many questions. It wasn’t all that difficult to find the payments to him on the Carlton Industries books.”
Kathleen was impressed. “Nice work, Destiny.”
Ben shot a daunting look at both of them. “Let’s cut to the chase, then. How well do you know William Harcourt?” he asked bluntly.
“The answer to that depends on many factors,” Destiny said evasively.
Ben gave her an impatient look. “It’s not a difficult question, Destiny. Any answer at all will do, as long as it’s truthful.”
She frowned at his tone. “I don’t see the need to discuss this with you.”
“Then you’ll just have to discuss it with Richard,” he warned.
“Oh, for heaven’s sakes, the two of you are acting as if there’s some grand conspiracy. I haven’t seen William or heard from him in years.”
“Did you know him well?” Ben asked again, this time more gently, as if he’d finally caught on to just how touchy this subject was.
“I really don’t think that matters,” Destiny said stiffly.
“It does if you’re the reason he’s targeting Carlton Industries,” Ben said.
“That’s absurd,” Destiny said flatly. “Tell your brother that whatever’s going on has nothing to do with me. I’m certain of that. If he’s found himself in a hostile business environment over there, he needs to fix the problem. Richard is the one in charge, after all. I’m sure William will be reasonable.”
“Why don’t you tell Richard that yourself?” Ben asked. “You two can talk this out when we get to his house. Given your insights, maybe you can give Richard some advice on how to handle the man.”
Destiny shook her head, looking suddenly tired. “I don’t think I’ll go after all. I’ve just remembered a prior engagement.”
“Destiny—”
Kathleen cut off Ben’s protest, even as she gave Destiny’s icy hand a squeeze. “It’s okay, Ben. We should be going.”
Ben looked as if he might argue, but Kathleen all but shoved him toward the front door. Only after he was outside did she claim to have forgotten her purse.
“Start the car. I’ll
