“That’s completely understandable.”
“Good. So I’m sure you won’t mind if I query something I came across that doesn’t look right.”
He studies my face. “No… not at all.Please ask away.”
“How do you know Richard Fenmoir?” I ask, not bothering to beat about the bush.It's a good way to catch people out.I picked up the tactic from far too many police interrogations in my youth.
Jacques narrows his eyes, but the prick gives nothing away.
“I don’t know who that is,” he replies.
“That’s interesting. You’d think a guy would remember a deposit of twenty million dollars into his personal account barely six months ago.”
“Oh, I see, you mean Green Ltd. That was a personal favor I’m not at liberty to discuss.” He’s smooth.I can’t actually tell if he’s lying.
“That’s fine, you don’t have to discuss it.Just wanted to see if you knew the guy.”
“The guy I dealt with was not called this Richard Fenmoir.He had a different name.”
And that is the same thing he would have told Candace.
“Green Ltd. Closed down a few months ago.I wonder why.”
“Again, I’m not at liberty to discuss that.I can’t talk about confidential information with you, Mr. D’Agostino.I’m sure you understand why. You’re a man similar to me.”
I nod. “I suppose I am.” I have nothing more to ask, and I didn’t get much from that conversation.Either he’s telling the truth or he’s a really good liar.“Well, that’s all then.”
“Perfect, well I hope there will be no hard feelings in relation to Mademoiselle Ricci.”
“No, not at all. Like I said, you know your place.”
He gives me a stiff smile, rises to his feet, and leaves in the same air of authority he strode in with.
I don’t know what to make of the guy and that’s a very big deal since few have managed to fool me.
There’s not a lot I can do about it now though besides keep my ear to the ground.I still have a few things I want to check out, if those lead nowhere I’ll be at a dead end.I guess time will reveal all, eventually.
The only thing I got from that meeting is I still don’t trust Jacques.Massimo is not going to like that, and if Jacques joins the Syndicate, it will be on the acceptance of the others because he won’t have my vote.
* * *
I get home later than I wanted and find Candace in the bedroom sitting by the window.Her eyes look a little puffy like she's been crying.
She attempts a smile when she sees me so I walk over to her and crouch down, resting my hands on hers.
“Hey, Angel, what’s wrong?” I ask.“You look like you’ve been crying.”
Her eyelashes flutter and her gaze clouds over with uneasiness.“Dominic, if I asked you something would you answer me truthfully?”
Shit. What the fuck happened now?
“What happened, baby?”
“I need to know you’ll tell me the truth first.Please answer me.”
I stare back at her and take in the seriousness in her beautiful face.
“Yes. I will answer you truthfully.”