Love You Dead by Peter James Read Free Book Online Page B

I guess the other problem will be to get any payout from his
life policies – most companies don’t pay out on suicide.’
    She stared at the man, and could swear he was struggling to conceal a smirk.
    ‘What are you actually saying?’ she asked.
    ‘What I’m saying is that it doesn’t look like you will inherit one cent, Mrs Bentley. But that’s not the worst of it. As his fiancée, you may well be investigated
yourself as a possible accomplice. I imagine the police will be wanting to talk to you.’
    ‘What?’ She felt limp, as if all the energy had been sucked out of her. ‘Accomplice? I knew nothing at all about his affairs.’
    ‘But you enjoyed a nice lifestyle in your short time with him, right? Living high on the hog.’
    ‘He never said a word to me about his business. I just assumed he was the successful businessman he seemed to be.’
    ‘I have to remind you that all his credit cards have been stopped. I’m aware you used your own to pay for Walt’s funeral expenses, including the casket, and for the flights
back – but I’m afraid you are likely to be out of pocket – there is no way of reimbursing you.’
    ‘God, that’s why his credit cards were declined! What a fool – I thought – you know – he was just over his limit or something. This can’t be true!’
    He pushed a bundle of documents towards her. ‘Have a look through these. They are all Grand Jury indictments against your late fiancé.’
    She reached forward and ran her eyes over several pages without absorbing anything. It was all written in legal terminology she did not understand. A wintry chill rippled through her. At the
same time, she felt anger rising. ‘This is just bullshit!’
    ‘I wish it was, Mrs Bentley, believe me. Walt has been one of this firm’s biggest clients. He owes us many thousands of dollars – that we’re unlikely to see
now.’
    ‘What a bastard,’ she said. ‘What a fucking bastard! He conned me! How many months have I—?’ She fell silent for a moment.
    ‘
Wasted?
Is that the word you are looking for?’
    ‘He conned me!’
    ‘Good to see you showing your true colours, finally, Mrs Bentley.’
    ‘Just what the hell’s that supposed to mean?’
    ‘Oh, I think you know, Mrs Bentley. I think you know exactly what I mean.’ He peered, hard and unsmiling, at her.
    ‘I don’t like your tone,’ she said. ‘I don’t like what you are insinuating.’
    He looked at his large, ornate watch. An Audemars Piguet, she could see. She knew all the top watch brands and their values – and this one was over $50,000. Then he stood up. ‘I
would be very happy to continue our discussion, but up until now my time has been on the late Mr Klein’s account. I will require payment from you, in advance, for any further time you require
from me.’
    She also stood up, and scooped the Chanel handbag that Walt had bought her off the table beside her. ‘I don’t think there is anything more to discuss,’ she said, tears of
shock, anger and huge disappointment in her eyes.
    As she reached Muscutt’s office door, the lawyer said, ‘See you at the funeral.’
    ‘I don’t think so.’
    He smiled, remaining behind his desk. ‘I didn’t think so either. Nor did any of his family. Oh, and if there’s anything you need when you’re back in the UK, we do have a
London office.’
    She slammed the door behind her.

10
Wednesday 18 February
    Back in her suite in the Four Seasons, Jodie kicked off her shoes and sat down on a sofa, thinking hard. Weighing up the pros and cons of staying in the city for Walt’s
funeral.
    Her room phone rang. It seemed like it hadn’t stopped since she’d arrived in New York.
    She answered it, hesitantly. ‘Hello?’
    ‘This is the front desk, Mrs Bentley. I have a Dave Silverson who’d like to speak to you.’
    ‘Dave Silverson? I don’t know anyone of that name.’
    ‘From the
New York Post
.’
    Her brain raced for a second. ‘Er – no thanks. Thank