In Death 26 - Strangers in Death

Edmond.”
    “I know.” It was his turn to pat his wife’s knee. “I planned to ease back a bit. More than a bit,” he admitted. “With the goal of retiring within the next two years. I hadn’t told Tommy yet. In fact, I planned to broach the subject when we golfed, the day…the day he died. He’d want me to help Ben during the transition, Linny. I may still make that two-year goal.”
    “Mr. Luce, did Ben indicate he’d discussed this with Mrs. Anders?”
    “No, why would he?”
    “She has a seventeen percent share of the company now.”
    “Yes, yes, of course. I’m sorry, I’m not thinking very clearly today. In any case, as I said, Ava’s never been interested in the company.”
    “But as the next majority share holder, as the widow of the company’s president, she would be within her rights to expect a more hands-on position, a seat on the board maybe—and that goes along with that.”
    “Technically, yes, I suppose so. But realistically, I can’t imagine it.”
    “You knew Reginald Anders?”
    “Oh yes.” Edmond’s face lightened with a smile. “In fact, it was Reggie who first hired me, more than half a century ago.”
    “At his death, Thomas Anders inherited the majority share of the company, correct?”
    “Yes. As Ben will now. Tommy considered Ben his son, and followed his own father’s lead on that.”
    “Just so I have all the details straight. I understand Ava Anders has a small percentage of the company—well, a larger one now. But the initial share, did she come into that at her father-in-law’s death?”
    “I believe that’s correct. Reggie was very fond of Ava.”
    “All right, we appreciate you seeing us at a difficult time.” Her ’link signaled, and checking the display, she ordered it to answer, identify, and hold. “I need to take this. Is it possible I could use another room?”
    “Of course.” Linny got quickly to her feet. “Let me show you to the office. Would you like to take your tea?”
    “No, that’s fine.” She followed her hostess into a top-flight office done with plush leather and glossy wood.
    “I’ll write down those names you asked for while you’re taking your call. Be comfortable,” Linny told her, and backing out, closed the double doors behind her.
    Eve engaged her ’link. “This is Lieutenant Dallas, Mr. Bronson, thank you for holding.”
    “Well, well. If I’d known you were this attractive, I’d have gotten back to you sooner. What can I do for you, Lieutenant Brown Eyes?”
    “First, you can cut the crap.”
    “Mmm. I love ’em sassy.” He grinned at her, the same shit-eating grin from his official ID photo. Eve figured he’d practiced and perfected that one in the mirror. “So tell me what a sassy, brown-eyed police lieutenant from New York wants with Dirk.”
    Dirk, she thought, was a complete asshole who had smooth, tanned cheeks that told her he’d had considerable and skilled work. Golden brows arched over eyes of Mediterranean blue like the sea she caught glimpses of behind him. His golden hair waved in the undoubtedly balmy breeze.
    “You were married to an Ava Montgomery.”
    “Wasn’t I just? A brief yet memorable episode in my past. Don’t tell me Ava’s in trouble.” He laughed as though little could amuse him more. “What did she do? Hire the wrong caterer?”
    “Her current husband was murdered a few days ago.”
    “Really?” His eyebrows quirked, and for a moment his face seemed to hold an expression other than smug conceit. “That’s…inconvenient. He’s a, what is it, a sporting goods king or something? I believe I own one of his tennis rackets.” Then he laughed, all brassy amusement. “Do you think I killed him? After all these years, to win back the fair Ava? This is exciting.”
    “Why don’t you tell me where you were on March eighteenth, and we’ll get that little joke out of the way.”
    “Cruising the Aegean, as I am now—with a bevy of beauties, a number of friends, and a full crew. Would you like to come interrogate me?”
    “I’ll keep that in reserve. When’s the last time you saw your ex-wife?”
    “Which ex-wife?”
    “Don’t waste my time, Dirk.”
    “So serious. Let’s see, when did Dirk last lay eyes on the lovely Ava? Ten years ago? No, longer. How time does fly. Closer to fifteen, I think. I bumped elbows with her in New York, if memory serves, at some party or premiere. Whatever. I believe she’d been recently married to the sports king.”
    “Why