Peter Decker 2-Book Thriller Collection: Blindman’s Bluff, Hangman. Faye Kellerman

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СКАЧАТЬ brother’s ex is Antoine Resseur?”

      “Yes. He’s a good guy.” Grant’s eyes turned toward the ocean. “Dr. Rain said he anticipates a full recovery. He just has to be careful until his liver heals. Absolutely no alcohol. That’s a bit of a pain.”

      Decker took out his notepad. “Does Gil drink a lot?”

      “Social drinker like me. In fact …” Grant went over to a cabinet and added a shot of Bombay Sapphire to the lemonade. “You only live once.”

      A uniformed maid came in and gave Decker a glass of lemonade. He thanked her and said to Grant, “I have in my records that Gil lives in the Hollywood Hills.”

      “Oriole Way. I don’t know the address, but it’s a split-level, mid-century modern, which tells you nothing because most of the houses were built around that time.”

      “I’ll get the address.”

      Grant’s eyes moistened. “I got a call from the coroner. He said it’ll be a few more days before …”

      “These things take time,” Decker said. “I’m sorry.”

      “Life goes on,” Grant said. “We’re having a small service tomorrow, and then Mace is heading back east tomorrow evening.”

      Mace said, “If you need to get hold of me, you can reach me through my secretary. I’ll be traveling down the Hudson Valley but in phone contact. Got a lot of work to do.” He raised his black eyebrows. “I dread what my desk will look like.”

      “Troubles?” Decker asked.

      “Never troubles,” Mace insisted with a smile. “Just issues to be worked out. As much as my heart grieves, someone has to keep an eye on our East Coast operations.”

      Grant said, “We decided that Mace can handle Greenridge while my brother and I work out the final burial and the details of running the company. I’ll stay out here at the helm to calm everyone down.”

      “Kaffey Industries will go on,” Mace said. “The company isn’t a one-man operation.”

      Grant said, “My father was smart enough to delegate a lot of the management to his sons.” He looked at Mace. “The three of us.”

      Decker nodded. “Any estimate on how long you’re staying on in California?”

      “I need Gil to be at full capacity, and that may take a while.” Grant swirled the ice cubes in his highball glass. “I’ve decided that the best thing to do is to move my family out here. We’ll be staying at Wind Chimes until everything’s back on track. This is why I wanted to talk to you, Lieutenant.” His eyes met Decker’s. “I’d like to know when your people are leaving Coyote Ranch.”

      “I wish I could tell you. We’ve got a lot of material to sort through, plus now that Denny Orlando was found buried on the property, things will have to be gone over again.” When Grant winced, Decker said, “Is it a problem for you? That my people will be there for a while?”

      “It might be soon. For now the estate is being assessed by Dad’s lawyers. I don’t know the exact contents of the will, but I assume most of my parents’ assets will go to Gil and me.”

      “Do you know that for a fact?” Decker asked.

      “I’m reasonably certain that’s the case. We’ll not only inherit their fortune but a big, fat estate tax bill. Neither Gil nor I want the ranch. We would like to sell it. The money realized from the sale would help defray the estate tax.”

      “I’ll do the best I can, but we don’t want to overlook anything that might be crucial in the investigation. I’m sure you understand that.”

      “How do you know whether something is crucial or not?”

      “That’s the point, Mr. Kaffey. You never know. That’s why we’re meticulous.”

      Silence. Then Grant asked, “How about a guesstimate? A week? A month? A year?”

      “Not a year,” Decker repeated. “Probably not much more than a month.”

      Grant said, “As soon as the assets are allocated, the ranch is going up for sale. I’ve already contacted a real estate agent.”

      “Actually you can’t do anything with the property until we’ve cleared it, but I’ll try to be timely. I’m sure we can work something out even if we’re still there.”

      “As long as you don’t get in my way, I’m fine. There are not that many people who can afford a property of such magnitude, especially in this economic climate. If we get a buyer, we’re going for it. I don’t want anything to scare someone away.”

      “The murders were publicized. Any buyer who wants Coyote Ranch would know what went on.”

      “Still, there’s no sense in being obvious.”

      “I’ll try to be timely,” Decker reiterated.

      But Grant didn’t appear to hear him. “On the other hand, the murders may attract other kinds of buyers. Lots of ghouls out there. You wouldn’t believe the phone calls that have been screened by my secretaries. We’re hounded by the press! All of them want details: about the crime, about Gil’s progress, about our business, about Mom and Dad’s will for God’s sakes. What is wrong with this world!”

      Decker shrugged. “We’re living in a time of instant everything, courtesy of the electronic highway. It creates a community of toddlers. When they don’t get immediate gratification, they get petulant and sulky.”

      “Amen to that,” Grant agreed.

      The man didn’t realize that Decker’s pointed comments had included him in the petulant and sulky category. That was probably a good thing.

      Driving northward toward L.A., Decker was happy that Rina was in a talkative mood, telling him about the paintings she saw and liked, what she might want to trade, and how much she thought they could get for some of their premium artworks. Even Decker raised an eyebrow. “Maybe it’ll cover a year’s tuition at college for Hannah.”

      “Stop pleading poverty, Lieutenant, we’re doing fine. How did your day go?”

      “It went as anticipated. Nothing illuminating, but I didn’t come down with expectations.”

      “So why did you come down?”

      “To be on the open road with you.”

      “That’s very sweet.” She leaned over and gave Decker a kiss. “I had a good time. I’m sorry it didn’t go well.”

      “It’s not that.” He thought a moment. “You don’t talk to these guys with the idea of getting a confession. And I certainly didn’t get that.”

      Rina studied his face. “You look bothered.”

      “I need to interview Mace Kaffey alone, but he’s leaving tomorrow night for home, which is back east. I’ve got to be quick. I should have arranged something, but I didn’t want to СКАЧАТЬ