Chapters (73)
- Cover
- Dedication
- PART ONE
- ONE
- TWO
- THREE
- FOUR
- FIVE
- SIX
- SEVEN
- EIGHT
- NINE
- TEN
- ELEVEN
- PART TWO
- TWELVE
- THIRTEEN
- FOURTEEN
- FIFTEEN
- SIXTEEN
- SEVENTEEN
- EIGHTEEN
- NINETEEN
- TWENTY
- TWENTY-ONE
- TWENTY-TWO
- TWENTY-THREE
- TWENTY-FOUR
- TWENTY-FIVE
- TWENTY-SIX
- TWENTY-SEVEN
- TWENTY-EIGHT
- TWENTY-NINE
- THIRTY
- THIRTY-ONE
- THIRTY-TWO
- PART THREE
- THIRTY-THREE
- THIRTY-FOUR
- THIRTY-FIVE
- THIRTY-SIX
- THIRTY-SEVEN
- THIRTY-EIGHT
- THIRTY-NINE
- FORTY
- FORTY-ONE
- FORTY-TWO
- FORTY-THREE
- FORTY-FOUR
- PART FOUR
- FORTY-FIVE
- FORTY-SIX
- FORTY-SEVEN
- FORTY-EIGHT
- FORTY-NINE
- FIFTY
- FIFTY-ONE
- FIFTY-TWO
- FIFTY-THREE
- PART FIVE
- FIFTY-FOUR
- FIFTY-FIVE
- FIFTY-SIX
- FIFTY-SEVEN
- FIFTY-EIGHT
- FIFTY-NINE
- SIXTY
- SIXTY-ONE
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
- Keep Reading …
- About the Author
- Also by Barbara Taylor Bradford
- About the Publisher
‘I am going to hire a private investigator. And immediately, which means tomorrow. There are a number of good companies and I’ll choose the best and foot the bill.’
‘But—’
Adrian interjected, ‘No buts or ifs. It’s your only way out of a ridiculous situation, and it’s my pleasure to pay the bill. So don’t argue with me.’
Robert flashed his smile, and said, ‘Thank you. We might be heading for quite a war, though.’
Adrian laughed. ‘Into the valley of death rode the six hundred.’
Robert stared at him. ‘Why are you quoting “The Charge of the Light Brigade”?’
‘That’s what is going to happen tomorrow. I am going to bring about another Charge of the Light Brigade. But I’m bloody well going to win. I’ll bury Lucinda in her own dirt, because the more I think about it, the more certain I am she is covered in it. You’ll soon see.’
‘I hope so,’ Robert answered, understanding that Adrian meant every word he said, and that he wouldn’t leave any stone unturned.
THIRTY-SIX
Robert Lassiter looked briefly at the menu, and put it to one side. Glancing at Adrian, he said, ‘I’m having potted shrimp, and whatever is on that large silver trolley over there.’
Adrian lifted his head and nodded. ‘Same here. And I do believe it’s a sirloin of beef on the trolley. The thought makes my mouth water. Do you want a glass of red wine?’ He put the menu down on the table as he spoke.
‘Why not, and you pick one.’ He raised a hand and beckoned to the wine waiter standing nearby.
It was Adrian who asked for the wine list, and perused it swiftly, and then ordered a red burgundy he and Robert both liked.
Lighting a cigarette, Robert said quietly, ‘I hope the firm you use to do the investigating will be discreet.’
‘Oh, of course they will!’ Adrian exclaimed. ‘The one I’ve used at times for bank matters is exceptional. No one will know they’re investigating Lucinda, not even she herself. They’re experts at that sort of cloak-and-dagger stuff.’
Robert couldn’t help himself, he burst out laughing. ‘You have a clever turn of phrase, old chap, as you say I do. And I hope there are no daggers around – as you said, no woman is worth swinging for. Certainly not Lucinda.’
‘Funny how she changed, and so radically. And you’re right, you know she has grown … dowdy. I think that’s the correct word. She was quite glamorous when you got married, and for a few years after that,’ Adrian said. ‘Then she faded.’