Page 45 of Dirty Liars

An hour later,Doug and I were set up in the office sharing a pizza and poring over the data that Margot had accessed by not necessarily legal means on Theo Vasilios.

“Let’s start with financials,” I said. “It’s been mentioned more than once that the Vasilios men like to throw money around. Let’s see where Theo was throwing it. I want to get through this stuff before Cole and Martinez show up.”

“Maybe Jack will get lucky and we’ll be able to do this aboveboard by the time they get here.”

“Here’s hoping,” I said, eyeing the last piece of pepperoni.

“You might as well take it,” Doug said. “We can always get more later.”

“Thanks,” I said, taking the pizza.

“Whoa, looks like Theo was the sole beneficiary of his grandfather’s estate. His name was also Theodore Vasilios, and it looks like he was part of the Greek royal family up until 1974 when the Greek government did away with all royal titles and positions. Having no title didn’t stop him from building wealth though. He was a very successful businessman internationally. He died when Theo was only twenty-three years old and all of his assets went to Theo to be held in a trust until he reached the age of thirty-five.”

“That’s a long time to wait when you’re twenty-three,” I said.

“Looks like he received the full amount when he turned thirty-five, plus all real estate holdings and business ventures,” Doug said. “He’s partnered with several businesses himself in the last ten years, but it looks like Theo doesn’t have the golden touch like his grandfather did. Most of the businesses have failed or are fledgling. If he’d been good at it he’d be pushing billionaire status.”

“Who inherits if Theo dies?” I asked.

“That information isn’t available,” Doug said. “At least not electronically. Theo’s attorney is in Greece, but it looks like he got on a flight and is scheduled to land at Reagan International about ten o’clock tonight.”

“Other than business has Theo had any unusual spending?” I asked.

“He paid too much for that house in Newcastle, and he purchased a couple of other homes—one in Santa Monica and another in London. He was paying Chloe ten grand a month to manage his businesses. He spent a ridiculous amount of money on shoes and suits, and also a lot on transatlantic flights to London. It looks like he went regularly about every six weeks and would stay for a week.”

“Even after he met Chloe?” I asked.

“Yes,” Doug said.

“Did Chloe ever travel with him?”

“Once,” Doug said, pulling up flight logs and credit card receipts. “Looks like she stayed at the Shangri-La.”

“I thought Theo had his own place in London?”

“He does,” Doug said, shrugging. “Chloe checked into the hotel under her name and identification. I don’t know if Theo stayed there with her or not. His signature isn’t on any of the restaurant bills or the spa.”

“Interesting,” I said, trying to bring something to the surface of my memory, but I wasn’t sure what it was. And then it came to me. “The ex-wife. Nicholas said something about Theo’s ex-wife. Apparently they’ve maintained a good relationship since their divorce, but he mentioned that she’d flown in from London for the wedding.”

“Margot flagged her on the list,” Doug said. “Vivica Anders Vasilios.” Doug whistled when her picture came on the screen. “Holy cow. She’s a former Miss Universe. Originally from Denmark. It looks like she met Theo at the University of St Andrews in Scotland while they were students there. They married a year later in a very lavish ceremony in Greece. The same year Theo’s grandfather died. They were married for eight years. No children.”

“Did she ever remarry?” I asked.

“No, but no reason to,” Doug said. “She made out like a bandit in the divorce, and not because the court ordered it. Theo made sure she was set for life.”

“Maybe a guilt offering for his sins,” I said. “Apparently she’s got a house on Dupont Circle. Jack reached out to let her know we need to speak with her. I’m guessing it’s on the to-do list for tomorrow.”

“Sign me up for that trip,” Doug said. “She’s someone who deserves to be seen in person.”

I smacked him lightly on the back of the head. “Stop thinking with your hormones for a second.”

“I’m sixteen,” he said, grinning. “I don’t know what else I’m supposed to think with.”

I laughed and said, “Nicholas told us that Theo had lost his way for a time and that Vivica had been very patient with him.”

“Lost his way how?”

“That’s the big question. Could be drugs or alcohol. Or something that would cause a grown man to get a tattoo on the bottom of his foot.”

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