The Burlington Manor Affair

“This, coming from you, who instigated the whole submissive thing in the first place.”

“If I’d known that it meant being hog-tied when you took the fancy—”

“Don’t get too excited,” he interrupted with a laugh, “it was just a passing comment.”

“Oh, bloody hell, Rex. Fuck you!” But a moment later she laughed, too, and then her face fell. “You don’t really think someone wanted me to trip and fall on purpose, do you?”

He hated to see her worry. That was his job. “I can’t imagine anyone wanting to do that to you, Carmen. You were probably right in suggesting it was a maintenance issue.” He reached out and squeezed her hand. “The stairs will be repaired this week.”

That seemed to reassure her. “There’s a lot to do at the house,” she commented, brightening. “I started a list.”

They parted on good terms. She even kissed him goodbye.

Once he saw her inside and noted the security system, he raced back to his car. He had a lot to do before he collected her at five. He’d worked through everyone that might hold a grudge against them, and he had a mental checklist and a plan of attack.

When he got to Slipstream, he hit the ground running. The first thing he did was contact a reputable private investigator. He outlined his concerns and requested an appointment for as soon as possible. Once that was organized for the following morning, he left a message for Nate to call him back. Rex needed to know how Amanda had been after the party, but there was something else he had to ask his old friend, too. He needed a contact who might help shed some light on the dusty skeletons in the cupboards at Burlington Manor.

Nate rang within the hour. “Rex, what can I do for you?”

“Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Listen, there’s some stuff I want to find out about my dad. Can you put me in touch with your old man?”

“Of course. You’re in luck actually. He spends a lot of time in Italy since he retired, but he’s back for my cousin’s wedding so you can catch him in London this week. I’ll email you his number.”

“Cheers.” He tried to keep his tone light and conversational. “Hey, did you manage to keep Amanda in check after you left the party?”

Nate laughed. “She’s a bit of a handful, but yes, I did.”

“Was she still angry with me, or Carmen?”

“She had a bit of a rant, but i

t was fleeting.”

A fleeting rant? That didn’t sound like someone who had grounds for two physical attacks, but Rex didn’t dismiss it.

“I managed to charm her,” Nate continued.

“Good to hear. I owe you one.”

“Not really, I always liked her but years back she terrified me.”

Surely not? If Nate’s thinking of taking Amanda on, he’s even more bonkers than I am.

“I think I’m man enough to deal with her now,” Nate was saying. “Besides, back then it was you she wanted. No one else but you.”

Rex groaned internally. Who else’s life had he messed up when he fell into bed with Amanda? “Sorry, mate, I hadn’t realized.”

“Water under the bridge, but before you go, there’s something I should mention.”

“Go ahead.”

“I bumped into Kelly the other day. She was asking about you. She’d heard about the funeral.”

Rex stifled a sigh. The last thing he wanted to think about was his ex. “And? I sense there’s more.”

“She seems to think she still has a chance with you. Um, what should I have said?”

“I think I know you well enough to know that you said the right thing.”