Page 60 of The Burnt
“Hunt? The detective?”
“That’s right.”
Semple nodded. “Ah, yes. I recognise you now. You’re working for Simon, trying to find Milo.”
“I am. I’m just in the initial phase of the investigation.”
Semple crossed his arms. “I’m the one who referred Mr Hunt to Simon. I hope you won’t make me look bad.”
“I always try to avoid that,” Charlie said. “Tell me, Mr Semple—”
“Tom. Why don’t you come into the living room?”
He turned to Jasmine and said in a sharp tone, “By the way, my long camelhair coat was supposed to be back from the cleaners last night. Call and see if it’s ready. And maybe when I’m done with Mr Watts, you can tell me what the two of you have been up to.”
Jasmine disappeared into the kitchen and Tom led Charlie into the other room and sat down on a leather sofa. “So, how can I help you?”
“Well, Tom. You seem to be the kind of guy that has his finger on the pulse of the people here…”
Charlie hoped flattery would help grease the wheels. “I’ve been building up a dossier on Milo and I was hoping that you could help me fill in a few blanks.”
“I’ll do what I can.”
Charlie continued. “I understand that aside from the RCMP, you also led an investigation for Mr Griffin when his son went missing ten years ago.”
“I did. Neither of us got very far.”
“Is it safe to assume that the boy’s room was thoroughly searched after his disappearance?”
“I looked it over,” Tom said.
“But not the police?”
“They did, after me.”
And what did you find that wasn’t there when the police searched?Charlie thought. “It’s my understanding you help Mr Griffin with his business dealings? Is that correct?”
“I do.”
“At the time of Milo’s disappearance, do you remember any business enemies that would have wanted to use Milo as leverage?”
“No.”
“And what exactly is Mr Griffin’s business?” Charlie asked.
“Import-export.” Tom’s steel-blue eyes burnt into Charlie’s.
“Import and export of what?”
“Things that need to be imported and exported. Simon Griffin is a…generalist.”
Charlie smiled and nodded. It was clear that Tom Semple was trained not to answer.
“One other thing, Tom. Mr Griffin mentioned that Milo had a friend.”
Tom’s muscles tensed.
Bingo. What does he know, and who is he trying to protect?
