Wild Fire
Page 115

He entered the house. It was long and low and cool, built like a Spanish mansion. The verandah wrapped around the front and two sides, shaded by a roof held by thick columns. Inside the sprawling room was comfortable furniture and wide spaces he realized accommodated a wheelchair. Imelda didn’t seem the type of woman to accommodate anyone, least of all her aging grandfather, but Conner could feel the influence of the man in the house. There were large banks of sunny windows, although bars covered each of them. Plants grew tall and bushy inside as well as out. He could see the plants not only were beautiful, but in a way they would be functional in a battle. They were large enough to screen windows and provide cover for those inside. They’d also provide fuel for a fire should one happen to be started.
The older man sat waiting, a smile of welcome on his face. It slowly faded as he watched Isabeau walk toward him.
She brightened immediately when she saw him. “Mr. Cortez. How wonderful to see you again.”
Alberto Cortez held out both hands to her, forcing Imelda to drop her arm. Isabeau took his hands and leaned in to kiss both cheeks.
“I’m so glad you’ve joined us, my dear. I had hoped you would come.”
“I didn’t want to miss seeing your garden. The plants in here are magnificent.”
Imelda hissed out a long, annoyed sigh. “Grandfather. We have other guests.” She sent a small, apologetic smile to the men over her shoulder.
The old man smiled at the group of men. “Forgive me,” he said. “Isabeau is an enchanting woman. Welcome to our home.”
Imelda rolled her eyes but refrained from issuing another reprimand as both Marcos and Elijah shook hands with her grandfather.
“It’s good to see you again, sir,” Elijah said. “Isabeau is indeed an enchanting woman.”
“I trust you keep her well in hand,” Marcos said.
Elijah ran his gaze deliberately over Isabeau. “She managed to make her way here to the rain forest, far from our home, but I’ve come to collect her.”
As a chess move, Conner had to admit, Elijah’s simple statement was brilliant. He managed in that single sentence to imply he was ruthless enough to control his family with an iron hand and collect any strays who managed to slip away. Given that his sister had disappeared some time earlier, but had been recovered, Imelda would assume Elijah was very much like her, a cruel, possessive dictator who squashed rebellion immediately.
Isabeau played her part to perfection, actually moving a little toward Alberto, almost for protection, her eyes downcast, avoiding Elijah’s domineering gaze.
Alberto patted her hand absently. “You won’t mind me showing Isabeau the garden, will you? I had hoped to show off for her.”
There was a small silence while Elijah clearly debated.
“Oh for heaven’s sake. It will get them out of our hair while we talk business. Nadia! Get drinks immediately,” Imelda called to a young servant girl.
Elijah refused to be pushed. “I allowed her to go off with your grandfather and she was accosted by one of your security men. An issue I would very much like to address before we go any further. I made it quite clear she was protected and off limits.” There was a chill in his voice, ice in his eyes. “I wish to see this man.”
Imelda’s mouth tightened. She clearly didn’t like to be thwarted in even a small way. “I heard from my grandfather that this occurred, but Harry was there with his shotgun to make certain she was safe.” There was a hint of impatience in her tone and she tapped her foot, frown lines etched deep into her forehead and around her mouth. “She was never in any danger.”
“The bodies buried there?”
“Clearly Philip Sobre’s. My security man had nothing to do with the bodies. Unless you’re implying my grandfather had his own burial plot there.” She laughed gaily as if she’d made a wonderful joke. “It was so sad about Philip, don’t you think? The police are questioning everyone, but they think a parent of one of the women got to him. The guests saw him throughout the rest of the evening and even after I left. He locked up his house after the party ended, and they believe his killer was hiding inside.”
“How terrible,” Marcos murmured approvingly. “Although if he did kill the young men and women they’re finding in his garden, I can hardly blame the parent.”
Isabeau shivered and Alberto patted her hand again.
Elijah frowned. “Still, Imelda, it would be a good faith gesture to allow me to have a word with your security man.”
Imelda scowled. “He’s gone.”
Elijah’s eyebrow shot up. “Gone?” He sounded skeptical.
“He threatened to kill my grandfather,” Imelda said, her face revealing her true personality. All trace of beauty was gone, leaving a mask of twisted malevolence. “Did you think he would stay around to see what I would do to him? I have a certain reputation for protecting my own. The man worked for me and he betrayed me over a . . .” She bit off an obvious insult.
Two spots of color appeared high in Isabeau’s cheeks, but she didn’t raise her head. Elijah, however, took a threatening step toward Imelda. Instantly Rio and Felipe moved with him, facing Imelda’s security guards.
Alberto rolled his chair between his granddaughter and Elijah. “Imelda had no intention of insulting your family, Elijah, or anyone you care about. She’s very distraught that a man we trusted betrayed our family. She gave you her word your woman would be safe with me, and we both believed it. Zorba not only betrayed us, but it appears he killed his partner as well. I apologize on behalf of our family and assure you that everything that can be done to find this man and bring him to justice is being done by my granddaughter.”