“Legally, they can’t do that, but of course the law works in funny ways for people with money,” Laraya said. “But it’s also an option to sue them and settle. Unless they’re stupid, they’ll want this to go away.”

“Wouldn’t I be telling the world I was a victim if I did that?”

“They abused you, Deirdre. Snapp was in a position of authority, and they acted like a pimp. They knew what they were sending you into. There’s no shame in speaking up and telling the truth. Silence protects them, not you.”

There was a hard knot in my throat that made it hard to answer. “Can I think about it?”

“Of course. I know you’ve had an awful week,” Laraya said. “I haven’t even told you yet how sorry I am about Caroline. She was such a warm, lovely person.”

“You met her?”

“I was at their wedding,” he said.

I didn’t remember meeting him there. I’d mostly lurked in the shadows, eventually ducking out early. Jude had been Caro’s only bridesmaid.

“Theodore mentioned you’re friends with Theo,” I said.

“We were best friends in college, but Theo has never forgiven me for doing legal work for his father.”

“Really?”

“There’s some antagonism between the two of them,” Laraya said. “I pointed out to Theo exactly how many Filipino lawyers the white-shoe firm of Casper Peters McNally has: just me. They hired me on his father’s recommendation. But Theo sees it as a sort of betrayal. ‘You’ll get caught up in his web’ is how he put it. He says his father always expects interest on any favor he does.”

I was tempted to ask Laraya about the money-laundering allegations, but I knew that was pointless.

“Did you know Theo’s in Berlin right now?”

“Are you kidding?” He shook his head. “Damn it. That’s what I get for trying to help.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m sorry. I should keep my big mouth shut,” Laraya said. He was quiet for a minute. “Do you have any idea why things went so wrong between your sister and Theo?”

“Caro never talked about it.”

“Well, neither of them talked to me about it.” He gave me a small smile. “I always wondered. They were so close at one time.”

“All I know for sure right now is that my sister gave me a small fraction of the truth.”

“I don’t want to sound like a cynical lawyer,” he said. “But I think that’s all anybody ever gives anyone.”

CHAPTER 28 THEO

CHAPTER 28

THEO