“I wouldn’t say that. You were good enough to not let him realize anything that would blow apart what you had together. As far as I was concerned, that was the only important thing. I think he was lonely sometimes. He liked having you here. He was always restless when you weren’t around.” Rennell took a step closer and stared him in the eye. “Now tell me why you’re out here drinking whiskey and talking about Sandrino being dead when you usually go out of your way not to mention even the possibility.”

“Maybe because it’s more than a possibility.” Tanner’s lips twisted. “And I thought it was time for me to admit it.”

“Why?”

“Because I just got off the phone with Kaskov and he seemed very sure that I was a fool for thinking that Sandrino could still be alive. And he can be very convincing. Though he told me he had no idea yet who had killed him.”

Rennell went still. “Shit,” he said between set teeth. “How can we squeeze it out of the son of a bitch?”

“We can’t. I believed him. We have to wait until he’s ready. He said it would only be a couple of days.” He smiled crookedly. “He did throw me a bone. He said I was on the right continent to find out what happened to him.”

“Not enough. We could use the woman.”

“Forget it,” he said sharply. “I told you to leave her alone.”

“I might. You’ve haven’t been shutting me out, so you have a chance.” He added coolly, “But we’re in this together. The only time we’ve ever cooperated was when Sandrino wanted us to. That has to end. We’re going to find whoever killed Sandrino and we’re working together. You understand, Tanner?”

“I’m not arguing with you.” He turned to go back into the house. “Who knows? Maybe Sandrino wants it that way. We’ll see how it works out.”

“I want to know the minute you get another call from Kaskov.”

“Reasonable.”

“And I’m still keeping an eye on Lara Balkon.”

“As long as that’s as far as it goes. Otherwise, you’ll have to deal with her mother, Maria. She has her own opinions where Lara is concerned.” He looked back over his shoulder. “I still don’t want to believe it, Rennell,” he said hoarsely. “It hurts too damn much. I won’t believe it. Not yet. He shouldn’t have taken off like that by himself. Why didn’t he take me with him?”