Sid had just popped the cork on the second bottle of champagne when Ted commented that he’d been trying to reach Richard ever since they got the good news, but all his calls had gone to voice mail.

“That’s unusual for him, isn’t it?” said Pam, accepting a refill. “Maybe he forgot to charge his phone.”

“Not Richard. He always stays connected. He doesn’t want to miss a story. I think ink runs in his veins. He’s a real old-fashioned reporter.”

Lucy’s and Bill’s eyes met, Bill gave her a nod, and Lucy took the plunge. “I’m afraid I’ve got bad news, Ted. Richard was arrested this morning at the Cavendish.”

Suddenly everyone was silent. It was as if the champagne had gone flat.

Finally, Ted spoke. “That’s impossible.”

“We were there. We saw the police take him away in handcuffs,” said Lucy. “I’m sorry.”

“But why?” asked Pam.

“The hotel did an internal investigation into the black market ring and discovered that Richard was running it,” said Bill.

There was a long stunned silence as the group processed the news.

Finally, Sue spoke. “So he was partners with Chef Larry?” she asked.

“Something like that,” said Lucy.

“Come to think of it, he never seemed short of cash,” said Pam.

“That seafood dinner must’ve cost a thousand euros, easy,” said Ted.

“He didn’t even blink at the bill,” said Pam. “I feel so guilty. I ate the lobster and the shrimp as if I was entitled to it, and it was all paid for with dirty money.”

“Richard was a generous host,” said Bill, “when he was spending other people’s money.”

“He was certainly a smooth operator,” said Sue. “I had no idea that he even knew Chef Larry. They sure had me fooled. I really thought we were getting all that champagne and wine at legitimate wholesale prices.”

“Stop it!” yelled Ted in a quavering voice. His face was red, and his hands were trembling. “Richard’s my friend, and he’s in trouble.”

“Sorry,” murmured Bill.

“I’m out of here,” declared Ted, heading for the door, with Pam dashing after him.

“He needs some time,” said Rachel. “This is like a death. He has to come to terms with it. He has to work through a lot of disturbing information. The fact that Richard wasn’t honest with him makes even their friendship suspect. Imagine the sense of betrayal.”

“Does he stick with Richard or turn against him?” mused Bill.

“That’s the question,” said Bob. “I see families grappling with it all the time in my legal practice when a beloved family member runs afoul of the law. The ones who do the best are the ones who decide to love the sinner but hate the sin.”

“But the sinner committed the sin,” said Lucy.