Faye Kellerman - Sanctuary

Marge said, “Why doesn’t VerHauten with its billions in assets just buy up the land?”

“Because most of the land produces boart-industrial diamonds-about two dollars a carat on a good day. Yes, there’s money to be made in boart. But at the time I was with VerHauten, they chose to concentrate on gem-quality stones. From VerHauten’s perspective, it was easier to buy up the few expensive diamonds the lands produced than to mine the stones themselves.”

“But that swells up VerHauten’s inventory, doesn’t it?” Decker said.

Milligan pursed her lips. “Have a side interest in business, do you, Sergeant?”

Decker said nothing.

Milligan said, “Suffice it to say VerHauten knows what it’s doing. It has been around a long time. If Sir Thaddeus says Angola’s not worth the bother, it isn’t.”

Marge said, “And Yalom’s holdings weren’t attractive to VerHauten?”

Milligan started rummaging through papers. “His alleged interests held no interest at the prices he wanted.”

Decker said, “Why the word alleged when talking about Yalom’s land holdings?”

“VerHauten had some doubt as to Yalom’s claims of ownership. Another reason we didn’t want to deal with him.”

“Doubt of ownership based on what?”

“Based on sources.”

“What sources?” Marge said.

“That’s VerHauten’s affair.”

Decker said, “Why’d VerHauten try to negotiate with Yalom if you felt he didn’t own the land you were negotiating for?”

Milligan’s cheeks took on a blush. “I have been quite patient with you. And I really am very busy. As a matter of fact, I am no longer even associated with VerHauten. So you really should be taking matters up with their barristers.” She walked over to the exit and opened the door. “Good day.”

Marge stood, exchanging glances with Decker. “You don’t know anybody who’d want Yalom dead?”

“The man was rude and abrasive. No doubt he made enemies.” She nibbled her thumbnail. “But I know of no one personally who’d want him dead.” Milligan gave him a patronizing look. “I’ve given you quite a bit of time. Can we wrap this up?”

Decker said, “I think we’re about done. If I have more questions, I can call you at your office, right?”

“Certainly.”

“You’ll be in town?”

“Yes, yes. But please don’t call arbitrarily. I have a big case coming up. I’ll need to concentrate and I find this very distracting. If you have questions, leave them with my secretary. I’ll get back to you.”

Decker smiled boyishly. “Sounds like a Hollywood line. I’ll get back to you.”

“Good-bye, Detective.”

Both Marge and Decker stood. Then, as an afterthought, Marge said, “What do you think of Yalom’s partner, Ms. Milligan? Did you or anyone else at VerHauten ever deal with him?”

A spark passed through Milligan’s eyes, disappearing as fast as it ignited. “Yalom’s partner? Arik doesn’t have a partner.”

The room grew quiet.

Marge stuck her hands in her pocket. “Interesting.”

Milligan stated, “Yalom never negotiated in the name of any partnership. Are you sure your information is correct?”

Decker shrugged.

“You’re not aware of Yalom having a partner?” Marge asked.

“That’s what I said,” Milligan answered. “Unless you’re referring to Arik’s bald-headed, obnoxious salesman. What was his name again?”

Decker and Marge were silent.

“It was Gold, wasn’t it?” Milligan said.

Lady, you know damn well it’s Gold.

“Gold told you he was Arik’s partner?” Milligan laughed. “Rather slipshod on your part to believe him.”

Decker stood. “Thank you for your time. I think we’re done for now.”

“You’re welcome.” Milligan smiled. “Did Mr. Gold actually tell you he was Yalom’s partner?”

Decker said, “Yes, he did.”

“And you believed him?”

“Everyone we’ve talked to, including Mr. Yalom’s sister, had told us that Mr. Gold was Mr. Yalom’s partner. Obviously Mr. Yalom told you something different.”

“Is that important to you, Ms. Milligan?” Marge asked.

Milligan’s face was flat. “Of mild interest. I always wonder what makes people deceitful.”

Decker smiled. “Ms. Milligan, it’s what keeps my partner and me in business.”

Slipping on his shades, Decker said, “Two things stick out in my mind. One: Why did Milligan act so weird when we mentioned Gold-?”

“Yeah, something was off. Her voice cracked, the smile got hard.”

“But her eyes never wavered. You notice that?”

“Sure did,” Marge said. “Probably something she learned in CEO school-the same one that teaches ‘never let them see you sweat.’”

Decker smiled. “The disparaging way she talked about Gold. And for no apparent reason.”

“So right away, being of perverted mind, we start thinking that Milligan and Gold are up to something.”

“The thought crossed my mind.” Decker walked slowly. “The other thing that bothered me was this: Why would Milligan be dealing with someone like Arik Yalom even if he was a top cutter. Milligan was in charge of marketing, not manufacturing.”

“I know how your mind works,” Marge said. “You’re thinking that maybe she had no choice. Yalom was blackmailing her.”

“Something.” Decker thought a moment. “The letters Milligan and Yalom exchanged. The veiled threats in them. Actually not so veiled in the later correspondence.”

Marge said, “To me, they sounded just like Milligan described them. Like the ravings of a lunatic.”

“So assume he was a lunatic. Why would Milligan deal with a lunatic?”

“She stopped dealing with him, Pete.”

“Or maybe she dealt with him in the ultimate way. She had him popped.” Decker paused. “I know, I know. Big leap. I’m stretching from here to China, looking for something that isn’t there. Probably VerHauten told her to deal with Yalom because they needed him as a cutter.”

“Besides, why would Yalom blackmail Milligan?”

“I’ve got an answer for that. Yalom wanted an in to VerHauten to hawk his mining stocks and land and Milligan was his ticket.”

Marge pushed hair off her forehead. “I like that.”

Decker licked his index finger and sliced air, making an imaginary tally mark. “If you assume Milligan in the role of blackmailee, it makes sense why she answered Yalom directly. You don’t go to the boss if you have a personal problem. You keep everything hush-hush and attempt to take care of it yourself.”

“But Pete, she eventually did forward the letters to VerHauten’s attorneys.”

“Yeah, she did.” Decker shrugged. “So I’m off base. Not the first time.”

They walked into the darkened labyrinth of the underground parking lot. After the requisite minute needed for orientation, they found the unmarked. Marge took the wheel, Decker rode shotgun.

Marge said, “What I want to know is, what’s with Shaul Gold? His partner’s dead and he’s nowhere to be found. Last we saw and heard of him, he was half drunk with a loaded gun, planning to rescue the boys.”

“You forgot impersonating a police officer,” Decker said.

“What’s his role in all of this? Then we mentioned him to Milligan, and she went all hinky. Maybe we weren’t off base. Maybe Gold and Milligan are in on something together.”

“In on what?”

“I don’t know.” Marge thought for a moment. “Let’s go back to your blackmail thing, Pete. Say Yalom was blackmailing Milligan. Say he had something really big on her. If Milligan was going to hire out to pop Yalom, who better to do the job than Gold? He didn’t like his partner-”