Chapters (46)
- COVER PAGE
- PRAISE
- DEDICATION
- ONE
- TWO
- THREE
- FOUR
- FIVE
- SIX
- SEVEN
- EIGHT
- NINE
- TEN
- ELEVEN
- 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
- THIRTY-THREE
- THIRTY-FOUR
- THIRTY-FIVE
- THIRTY-SIX
- THIRTY-SEVEN
- THIRTY-EIGHT
- THIRTY-NINE
- FORTY
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
- ABOUT THE AUTHOR
- SNEAK PEEK: EXIT .45
Vincent thought that was a pretty good rate, lawn area considered. There was a pre-printed phone number at the top of the page. Vincent went back into Lamar’s office and used the cordless phone to dial.
A woman answered.
‘Hola? Yes?’
Vincent said, ‘Good morning. I’m sorry to call so early. I was hoping to speak to Mr Lamar’s gardener. Is this the correct number?’
‘You want speak to Leo?’
Vincent said, ‘Yes. He works for Eugene Lamar, is that right?’
‘Yes, Lamar. Mr Eugene. That’s right.’
Vincent said, ‘I’m Mr Lamar’s head of security. I’m just a bit worried because I haven’t seen Leo in a number of days. I just want to check he’s all right. Can you put him on the phone for me?’
‘No, he away. Gone since … he leave Sunday.’
Sunday. The same day Wayne Forsyth took off.
Vincent said, ‘Do you know where he is?’
‘I … no. I don’t know.’
She’d hesitated, though.
Vincent said, ‘Have you heard the news?’
‘Excuse me?’
‘I said, Have you heard the news?’
‘I’m sorry, I don’t … I don’t understand?’
He figured if she hadn’t heard about the killings there was no point telling her. She wouldn’t stay on the phone if she thought he was a murderer.
‘My name’s Vincent. Is this Leo’s wife I’m speaking with?’
‘Si. Yes.’
Vincent said, ‘Ma’am, I’m worried about Leo. He was supposed to come by the house a couple of times this week—Mr Lamar’s house, I mean—and I just want to check he’s okay.’
Silence.
‘Ma’am? If you have any idea where he is, that would be helpful.’
She sighed. ‘He say … he promise he be back home soon.’
‘Yes, but he left on Sunday, didn’t he? So it’s been almost a week now. We’re all very concerned about him, and as I say, I just want to check he’s all right.’
‘He … he wouldn’t tell me.’
Vincent waited.
‘I … I worry so much, and I want to call, but his papers, they’re not … They don’t have the approval. I don’t want him to be sent away.’
‘I understand. That won’t happen. I just want to know where he is.’
‘You are police?’
‘No, I’m not police. I work for Eugene Lamar. I’m in charge of his security. I’m trying to find Leo to make sure he’s okay.’