“Oh for heaven’s sake. It will get them out of our hair while we talk business. Nadia! Get drinks immediately,” Imelda called to a young servant girl.

Elijah refused to be pushed. “I allowed her to go off with your grandfather and she was accosted by one of your security men. An issue I would very much like to address before we go any further. I made it quite clear she was protected and off limits.” There was a chill in his voice, ice in his eyes. “I wish to see this man.”

Imelda’s mouth tightened. She clearly didn’t like to be thwarted in even a small way. “I heard from my grandfather that this occurred, but Harry was there with his shotgun to make certain she was safe.” There was a hint of impatience in her tone and she tapped her foot, frown lines etched deep into her forehead and around her mouth. “She was never in any danger.”

“The bodies buried there?”

“Clearly Philip Sobre’s. My security man had nothing to do with the bodies. Unless you’re implying my grandfather had his own burial plot there.” She laughed gaily as if she’d made a wonderful joke. “It was so sad about Philip, don’t you think? The police are questioning everyone, but they think a parent of one of the women got to him. The guests saw him throughout the rest of the evening and even after I left. He locked up his house after the party ended, and they believe his killer was hiding inside.”

“How terrible,” Marcos murmured approvingly. “Although if he did kill the young men and women they’re finding in his garden, I can hardly blame the parent.”

Isabeau shivered and Alberto patted her hand again.

Elijah frowned. “Still, Imelda, it would be a good faith gesture to allow me to have a word with your security man.”

Imelda scowled. “He’s gone.”

Elijah’s eyebrow shot up. “Gone?” He sounded skeptical.

“He threatened to kill my grandfather,” Imelda said, her face revealing her true personality. All trace of beauty was gone, leaving a mask of twisted malevolence. “Did you think he would stay around to see what I would do to him? I have a certain reputation for protecting my own. The man worked for me and he betrayed me over a . . .” She bit off an obvious insult.

Two spots of color appeared high in Isabeau’s cheeks, but she didn’t raise her head. Elijah, however, took a threatening step toward Imelda. Instantly Rio and Felipe moved with him, facing Imelda’s security guards.