Page 83 of The Laughing Game

“No, of course not. But he might have recommended someone who was a littletoo competent.”

They regarded each other again. I knew what Vihaal meant by that remark, and I think that Dominic did as well.

Dominic smiled and shrugged, sitting back in the chair. “I think you’ll find everything in order. I’m simply surprised that you’d take on the expense of double checking everything.”

Vihaal returned Dominic’s smile, but there was no warmth in it. Having received many of Vihaal’s warm smiles by now, I was kind of an expert on them.

“Since the store’s profits have been in decline, it’s well worth Mr. Barnett’s time and my money.”

Sweat beaded on Dominic’s forehead.

“The economy is not the best at the moment.”

“No. That’s true. But it makes sense to check things out, in any case. It’s possible that you made a mistake,” Vihaal said with calculation and suspicion.

“I suppose that’s true,” Dominic muttered. “Although I sincerely doubt it.”

“In any case, I wanted to speak to you personally, and let you know that I may be asking specific questions about the accounts. Depending on what Mr. Barnett discovers.”

Dominic couldn’t hide his unease. He glanced at me. I gave him a cool, detached smile, inwardly cheering for Vihaal, who was being so incredibly intimidating.

“Does your father know?” Dominic asked.

“I beg your pardon?” Vihaal said.

“Have you told your father that you’re hiring someone to go over the books at Tarnish?”

“It’s none of his business.”

“I see,” Dominic said. “Well, I hope you won’t mind if I let him know.”

“I’d prefer that you didn’t,” Vihaal said. “This is between the two of us.”

“Hmm. I think that he would be quite disturbed to know you doubted my abilities.”

“Is that so?”

Dominic looked less sure in the face of Vihaal’s challenge.

“I think so,” he mumbled, glancing at me.

“Well, I suppose we should find out. Because if my father, bless his cold, calculating heart, has any underhanded influence on my store, it ends now.”

Dominic looked shocked. Then he looked angry. He stood.

“How dare you accuse me of being underhanded!”

Vihaal blinked slowly and remained seated.

“I didn’t accuse you of anything,” Vihaal said calmly.

“By hiring this man to go over the accounts, you’re as plain as stating it outright.”

Now Vihaal stood. Tension simmered inside him as if it were a tactile energy field.

“Thismanhas a name. It’s Angel Barnett. And he is a Certified Public Accountant and also a close personal friend,” Vihaal said in a low, threatening tone. “If either you or my father do anything to thwart Mr. Barnett’s examination of the accounts from the past three years, I will not be pleased. I could fire you this minute, Dominic.”

“But your father—”

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