drop out of sight. So I suggested, “Why don’t we sit by the fire?”
Madox said, “Good idea.” He came around the bar as Kate and I walked to a grouping of four leather club chairs near the fireplace.
Before he could seat us, Kate and I took the chairs facing each other, leaving Madox to take one of the chairs facing the fireplace, with his back to the closed double doors. From where I sat, I could see the open doors to the card room, and Kate could see the bar where the small side door was.
Having claimed my seat, I stood and went to the drapes to the right of the fireplace and said, “Do you mind?” as I pulled them open. There was indeed a set of French doors there, which led to a dark terrace.
I came back to my chair, sat, and noted, “That’s a nice view.”
Madox did not comment.
Basically, all bases were covered, and I was sure that Bain Madox-ex-infantry officer-appreciated our concern about fields of fire.
Madox asked us, “Would you like to take your jackets off?”
Kate replied, “No, thanks. I’m still a little cold.”
I didn’t answer, and I noticed he wasn’t taking off his blazer, probably for the same reason we weren’t taking off our jackets. I didn’t see a bulge, but I knew he was packing something, somewhere.
I surveyed the room. It was more in the style of a gentlemen’s club rather than an Adirondack lodge. There was an expensive-looking Persian carpet on the floor, and lots of mahogany, green leather, and polished brass. There was not a dead animal in sight, and I hoped it stayed that way.
Madox said, “This room is an exact replica of the one in my New York apartment, which in turn I copied from a London club.”
I inquired, “Isn’t that a little confusing after you’ve had a few?”
He smiled politely, then said, “So, let’s get rid of some business.” He turned to me. “I have the duty roster of my security staff who were here over the weekend, and I’ll see that you have it before you leave.”
“Good. And your house staff?”
“I have a complete list of the staff who were working on the weekend.”
“And the security log and the security tapes?”
He nodded. “All copied for you.”
“Terrific.” And this left the sticky question of his rich-and-famous weekend guests. “How about the list of your houseguests?”
“I need to think about that.”
“What’s to think about?”
“Well, obviously, the names of these people are not everyone’s business.” He added, “Which I guess was why the government sent Mr. Muller here to get these names by… devious means. And now you want me to give you these names, voluntarily.”
I reminded him, “Harry Muller is dead, and this is now an investigation into his death.” I added, “You said this afternoon that you’d have those names for us.”
“I’m very aware of that, and I’ve called my attorney, who will get back to me tonight. If he tells me to turn over those names, I will give them to you tonight.”
Kate said, “If he doesn’t, we could subpoena that information.”
Madox replied, “That may be the best way for me to give you those names.” He explained, “That would take me off the hook with my guests.”
Basically, this was all bullshit to make us think he had some serious issues to consider. Meanwhile, all he was really thinking about was his ELF signal to Sandland, and how best to get Corey and Mayfield into the wood chipper.
He informed us, “My attorney tells me that the Federal government has no jurisdiction in a state homicide case.”
I let Kate handle that one, and she said, “Any murder charges that come out of this investigation will be brought by New York State. In the meantime, we’re investigating the disappearance of a Federal agent, and his possible kidnapping, which is a Federal crime, as well as a possible criminal assault on the deceased agent.” She asked Madox, “Would you like me to speak to your attorney?”
“No. I’m sure the United States government can find a Federal law to fit any crime these days, including jaywalking.”
Special Agent Mayfield replied, “I think this is a bit more serious than that.”
Madox let that slide, so I changed the subject to put everyone at ease. “Good scotch.”
“Thank you. Remind me to give you a bottle before you leave.” He said to Kate, “Not many women are single malt drinkers.”
“Around 26 Fed, I’m just one of the boys.”
He smiled at her, and responded, “I think they need eyeglasses at 26 Fed.”
Good old Bain. A man’s man, and a ladies’ man. A real sociopathic charmer.
Anyway, Madox figured we were finished with business and continued to charm Ms. Mayfield. “So, how was your yodeling class?”
Kate seemed a little confused by the question, so I said helpfully, “
“Oh…” said Mr. Madox. “I thought you said
Kate glanced at me. “It was a good class.”
Madox asked her, “How are you enjoying The Point?”
“It’s very nice.”
“I hope you’re staying for dinner. I promised Mr. Corey I could do better than Henri.”
Kate replied, “We’d planned to stay for dinner.”
“Good. In fact, since there’s no one here, and no one would know, you’re welcome to stay overnight.”
I didn’t know if that included me, but I replied, “We may take you up on that.”
“Good. It’s a long trip back to The Point-especially if you’ve been drinking, which you’re not doing enough of.” He smiled at me and expanded on the subject by saying, “Also, you’re not driving a vehicle that you’re familiar with.”
I didn’t reply.
He continued, “Let’s see-yesterday, you had a Taurus; this morning, you had a Hyundai; and tonight, you have Rudy’s van. Have you found something you like?”
I hate wiseasses, unless they’re me. I said to him, “I was just about to ask you to loan me a Jeep.”
He didn’t respond to that but inquired, “Why are you changing vehicles so often?”
To confuse him with the truth, I replied, “We’re on the run from the law.”
He grinned.
Kate said, “We’ve had problems with our two rental vehicles.”
“Ah. Well, I’m sure they would have given you another one-but that was good of Rudy to loan you his van.” He returned to the investigation. “I’ve made some inquiries, and this suspected homicide hasn’t even come to the attention of the sheriff’s office.” He informed us, “They’re still ruling it an accident.”
I noted, “This investigation is Federal and state, not local. What’s your point?”
“No point. Just an observation.”
“I think you should leave the jurisdictional aspects of this case to the law.”
He didn’t answer, and neither did he seem annoyed at the rebuke. Obviously, he wanted us to know that he knew more than he should know-including, possibly, that Detective Corey and FBI Agent Mayfield were not in close contact with their colleagues, and wanted to stay that way by switching vehicles every twelve hours.
I didn’t know if Bain Madox knew that for sure, but he definitely knew that we hadn’t made a cell-phone call within ten or fifteen miles of here.
So we sat in neutral for a minute-logs blazing, scotch and crystal glistening in the fire-then Madox said to Kate, “I expressed my condolences to Mr. Corey, and I’d like to do the same to you. Was Mr. Muller a friend of yours, also?”
Kate replied, “He was a close colleague.”
“Well, I’m truly sorry. And I’m very upset that Mr. Corey believes that one of my security staff may have been
