Hidden Riches

with Finley.
    He smiled and took her nerveless hand in his. “I’ve taken you up on your offer of hospitality, Isadora. And may I say you have a charming home.”
     
    “I really don’t think I should make any sort of statement without a lawyer.” Winesap chewed on his ragged nails andglanced fitfully at Brent and Jed. “I really don’t.”
    “Suit yourself.” Brent shrugged and straddled a chair. “We’ve got plenty of time. Do you want to call one, or do you want a PD?”
    “A public defender?” That pricked the pride enough to have his sagging shoulders lift. “Oh no, I can afford counsel. I have a very good position.” But his lawyer was in Los Angeles, he thought. “Perhaps if you could explain again why I’m here, we could dispense with the formality of an attorney.”
    “You’re here on suspicion of theft, smuggling, conspiracy to murder a police officer and murder, among other things,” Brent added.
    “That’s really absurd.” Pride deflated again, Winesap hunched down in his seat. “I don’t know where you could have gotten such a ridiculous idea.”
    “Maybe you’d like to listen to the tape of your conversation with Miss Conroy.” Jed made the suggestion as he crossed to the recorder.
    “That was a simple transaction—and a private one.” Winesap tried to lever some indignation through the fear in his voice. But when Jed switched on the recorder, he said nothing at all. It was painfully clear after only a few moments that he hadn’t been thorough at all—and that he’d been remarkably stupid.
    While his mind worked, he began to suck on his knuckles. He didn’t think he would care for prison. No indeed. Winesap thought of Finley and knew he would like his employer’s brand of punishment a good deal less.
    “Perhaps we can make an arrangement. Might I have a cup of water, please?”
    “Sure.” Agreeably, Brent went to the water cooler and pumped out a paper cupful.
    “Thank you.” Winesap sipped it slowly while he considered his options. “I think I would like immunity, and a place in the witness-protection program. I think that would suit me very well.”
    “I think it would suit me very well to see you rot in a cell for the next fifty years,” Jed said pleasantly.
    “Captain.” Brent fell into the classic interrogation rhythm. “Let’s give the guy a chance. Maybe he’s got something to trade.”
    “I promise you, I do. If I have assurance that my cooperation will be rewarded, I’ll give you everything you need to make a very big arrest.” Loyalty, a chain around his neck for eight long years, slipped easily off. “A very big one,” he repeated.
    Jed gave an imperceptible nod as Brent’s eyes met his. “I’ll call the DA.”
     
    “Why don’t we sit down?” Finley kept his hand firm on Dora’s arm as he pulled her into the living room. “And have a nice chat.”
    “How did you get in?”
    “There was such a lot of confusion this evening, wasn’t there?” He smiled as he pushed her into a chair. “I wasn’t at all sure that Abel—Mr. Winesap—could handle this matter efficiently on his own. I came to supervise. A very good thing, too.”
    Finley took the chair beside her and folded his hands comfortably. He saw Dora’s eyes cut toward the door and shook his head. “Please don’t attempt to run, Isadora. I’m very strong and very fit. I’d hate to resort to physical violence.”
    She would hate it, too. Especially since she was certain she wouldn’t get two feet. Her best bet was to play for time and wait for help. “It was you who sent DiCarlo.”
    “It’s a long, sad tale. But I find you such good company.” He settled back comfortably and began to talk. He told her of the carefully planned robberies in several different countries. The network of men and finances it required to operate a successful business—legally and illegally. When he reached DiCarlo’s part in it, he paused, sighed.
    “But I don’t have to go into that with you, do I, dear?You’re an excellent actress. One wonders why you decided to give it up. I realized quite soon after your visit to my office that you and DiCarlo had been in league together.”
    For a moment she was too stunned to speak. “You think I was his partner?”
    “I’m sure you found him an adequate lover.” Truly disappointed in her, Finley plucked at his cuffs. “And I can certainly see how you could have lured him into betraying me. A pity, too,” Finley added softly. “He had