Page 41 of Puzzle for Two

“I already know the answer,” Zach said shortly. “What I don’t know is what you think’s in it for you? What’syourangle?”

“You want the truth? I still plan on acquiring Davies Detective Agency.”

Zach blinked. “You…”

“That’s right. And I don’t want my soon-to-be acquisition sued into bankruptcy before I can even take control.”

There was a lot there to unpack—and later set on fire—but the word that really stood out, in fact branded itself on Zach’s frontal lobe, wassued. He tried to read Flint’s impassive face for any sign he was kidding.

He did not appear to be kidding.

“Why would we be sued?”

“Is that a serious question?” Flint studied Zach for a moment. He said gruffly, “Just becauseIdon’t think you’re to blame for what happened to Beacher doesn’t mean his wife will agree.”

“But if Zora killed him…”

“That’s one theory. Beacher’s theory, and he wasn’t exactly batting a thousand. But let’s say Zoraisthis Machiavellian mastermind Beacher feared. If he dies under suspicious circumstances, she knows she’s going to be suspect number one. She’s going to need a patsy. A fall guy.”

Zach said doubtfully, “Right.”

“She may have been confused about the role you played in her husband’s life, but that’s going to be cleared up in a day or so—if it hasn’t been already. She’s going to know you were hired to investigate the threats on Beacherandshe’s bound to realize he shared his suspicions and fears regarding her with you. That makes you a double threat.”

“Doesit, though? I mean, it’s not like I have any proof of anything.”

“If I’m Zora, I know I have a very short amount of time to redirect the inevitable suspicion. I have to move fast, and I have to sow a lot of confusion. The first thing I’d do is sue Davies Detective Agency for negligence, wrongful death, and everything else I can think of. That’s what an innocent, grieving wife would do, so that’s what I do. But it can’t stop there.”

“Why can’t it?” That seemed plenty to Zach. More than he was ready to deal with, frankly.

“Because you know too much. You’re a threat to me, so putting you out of business is just the first phase. The second phase of the attack is to implicateyouin Beacher’s death.”

Zach had the very weird sensation that his glass lenses were fogging over. They weren’t, of course; he could still see perfectly well Flint’s glinting eyes boring right into him. But he definitely had the sense of wandering through a misty dreamscape.

He’d always thought of himself as overimaginative, but Flint turned out to be even more imaginative. Or maybe the word wasdelusional?

Orwas the worddevious?

Flint was saying, “Unfortunately, your pervy pal Alton set you up for that one with the fake-boyfriend idiocy. Anybody who saw you two together last night would have trouble believing that was a strictly-business meeting.”

Did that mean Flint still had trouble believing it? The idea bothered Zach probably more than it should have.

“I have a signed contract to prove that’s all it was.”

“I’m glad to hear it. But that doesn’t mean your relationship with Beacher didn’t become increasingly personal once the ink dried.”

The memory of those lacy panties, now at the very bottom of his trash barrel, made his blood run cold.

“Anyway, she doesn’t have to believe it. She just has to make sure enoughotherpeople do.”

This was all getting a little evil-mastermindy. But wasn’t that how Alton had described Zora? As some kind of Machiavellian princess willing to kill herself if she could also destroy her husband.

He said slowly, “And you think we should what? Go to the police? I was already going to do that.”

“Obviously we go to the police, but not to do the whole mea-culpa, throw-yourself-on-your-sword thing you’re clearly planning.”

Jesus Christ. This guy!

Zach bristled. “For the record, I’mneverselling Davies Detective Agency to you!”

---