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How had Colton gotten so close without him noticing? Oren took a breath, keeping his focus out the window, acting as though Colton’s sudden proximity hadn’t disturbed him in the least. “Meaning what?”
“Meaning that they’re conducting a murder investigation, and any attention directed toward us is dangerous. I’ve heard that Scotland Yard’s involved.”
“Why would—”
“The dead security guard from the London Motor Show. They did an autopsy and know the cause of death wasn’t due to the fire, as they’d originally thought.”
“What does that have to do with who investigates?”
“Since they don’t know where he died, they’ve decided that a mutual investigation is in order. Scotland Yard has more resources.”
It took a few seconds for Oren to process that information. “What do you think they’ll find?”
“If we’re careful, nothing.” Colton peered out the window, as though searching for whatever it was Oren had found so interesting. Eventually he turned back, but instead of taking his seat, he walked to the door.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Oren asked.
“You said you wanted the journal. Albert Payton’s solicitor had it. Seems to me that if his client is being tried for murder, the Crown would want that as evidence. I intend to make that happen.”
“And what good will that do?”
Colton stopped by the door. “Two things. One, give us a chance to see it. Two, and more importantly, expose the Fargos.”
“How?”
“You know as well as I that they have that journal.”
“And you think they’re simply going to turn it over to you?”
Colton’s smile chilled him to the bone. “Allegra’s been the weak link in this. Time to pay her a visit. We pressure her. The rest falls into place.”
78
Remi was glad to see Chad waiting for them at the train station. “How is Oliver doing?” she asked him.
“A nervous wreck, pacing the floor when I left. He wasn’t happy about waiting at the detective’s office alone. Snyder said he’d come straightaway the moment his replacement arrives. In light of Dex’s call, he’s hesitant to leave Allegra’s house without someone watching it.”
Bill Snyder’s office, on the second floor of a brick building near the city center, was across the hall from the solicitor’s. When Oliver saw Sam and Remi walk in, he looked as if a weight had lifted from his shoulders. “Thank heavens,” he said.
Remi drew him to one of the chairs, taking a seat next to him.
“You’re here now.”
“What happened?” Sam asked him, as Bill walked in.
“Dex left a voice mail at Payton Manor. Somehow he heard we’d recovered the Ghost and wants to trade the car for the goods,” Bill said.
“Right. The goods on who framed my uncle for murder. And now I need to figure out what to do.”
“Well, you’d better make the call,” Sam said.
Bill nodded. “If it’s something we can use, the sooner we discover what it is, the better. We can set up in the conference room and put it on the speakerphone.” He led them across the hall, where they all took seats around the large table.
“What should I say?” Oliver asked, as Bill placed the phone in front of him.
“First thing is find out if Allegra and Trevor are okay. We need to hear their voices, not just take his word for it.”
“Remember,” Sam added. “Be firm. Keep the pressure on him. Don’t let Dex order you around.”