“Positive.”
“Because?”
“I think it’s because she was fucking Lucky.”
“You think?”
“I don’t know for sure. But it wouldn’t surprise me.”
“Why not?”
“She seriously didn’t like me. Always made me feel uncomfortable. I hate to say it, but I’m glad she’s dead.”
“Because she didn’t like you?”
“Because they were always together. She was on the board of that company, Ropic Industries, and Lucky’s the major stockholder.”
“Is the stock doing well?”
“How the fuck should I know?”
I suddenly hear something, and jump to the side of the kitchen door.
“What?” Gwen says.
“Someone’s coming in the back. Duck behind the counter!”
I crouch, ready to strike.
“Relax, killer. It’s Tina.”
Turns out it is Tina, the housekeeper, returning from wherever she’d been all afternoon. Gwen introduces us and tells her which bedroom I’ll be camping in tonight. Tina immediately grabs some sheets from the laundry room and heads toward the bedroom that’s situated between Gwen’s bedroom and the kitchen.
Gwen says, “Lucky’s such a jerk.”
“What do you mean?”
“Tina’s usually gone by five. But her daughter had an operation today, so naturally she wanted to be at the hospital with her. Lucky said fine, but she’d have to work late to make up for it.”
“Wow.”
“Great guy, right?”
While Gwen had been napping and showering, I searched every room on this side of the house, trying to find the device. And came up with nothing. While she was getting dressed, I called Lou Kelly, who told me that Lucky’s twenty million dollar investment in Ropic Industries was practically worthless. According to the terms of his stockholder purchase petition, he can’t sell his shares for several months. By then, the company will be bankrupt. This, according to one of Lou’s SEC buddies who said they’re about to publicly announce a full-scale investigation of Ropic’s accounting practices.
I don’t care about Lucky’s financial problems, I just want the device. After talking to Lou, I walked through the rooms one last time, to see if I’d overlooked something obvious.
I hadn’t.
If a professional had hidden the device, I’d need a week to conduct a proper search. But Gwen’s a civilian, and I’d bet serious coin she hasn’t hidden it in the rooms I’ve searched. Which leaves Lucky’s office, their bedroom, bath, and closet.
“I should check out your bedroom,” I say. “For security reasons.”
“You’ll have to wait till Lucky gets home.”
“Why?”
“His command center adjoins it.”
“Command center?”
“It’s where he makes the magic. No one’s allowed in there.”
“Not even you?” I say.
“Not even.”
16.
“Donovan?” Gwen says.
“Yes?”
“Don’t pay any attention to how I act when Lucky gets here.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ll probably be all over him.”
“Okay.”
“But it’s an act.”
