Page 88 of Her Dark Lies

Jack collapses back against the wall, running a hand through his hair.

This is insanity.

And yet...he needs to let Claire know they’re moving up the wedding. Pray that she goes along.

Jack stalks the halls of the Villa, looking for anything else amiss. He is more comfortable now with the weight of the gun in his hand. Henna was murdered by someone in the house. Possibly someone he’s invited to his wedding. Someone he knows.

The question is, who?

Fatima is with Claire, and Fatima can take care of the two of them with no problem. Malcolm is standing guard as well.

He hesitates at the split, then decides. Might as well rule his grandfather in or out. He walks the quiet hall to his grandfather’s rooms. He stashes the gun in the waistband of his jeans and knocks on the door. Will’s nurse answers.

“Buon pomeriggio. Signore Compton is napping.”

“Has he left the room today?”

“We had breakfast in the kitchens, like normal, and took a walk earlier, with the dogs. Since then, he’s been here with me. We didn’t come to the brunch. Your mother thought it would be best, with so many strangers, that we stick to his routine. You know he was upset yesterday.”

“Are you sure he’s in his room? You need to go check. It’s very important.”

“I’m happy to check, Signore, but he—”

A deep voice comes from inside. “Who are you talking to, Petra?”

“It is—”

“Jackson! Good to see you, boy. Come in here and give an old man a hug.”

Petra opens the door wide and Jack steps in. Will looks calm and rested. And, like last night, completely himself.

Will grabs Jack and pulls him into a bear hug. His hand brushes the gun at Jack’s waistband, and he grunts. “Hardly need to come here armed, Jacky.”

“We can let it be our little secret. How are you, Gran?”

“Fine, fine. A bit bored. This one—” he jerks a thumb toward Petra “—doesn’t let me out of her sight. Ah, the trouble we used to get up to, you and I, eh Jacky? Maybe we can take a stroll through the labyrinth when the storm passes, like old times. You would let me if Jack was escorting me, wouldn’t you, dear?”

Petra only raises a brow. “I wouldn’t dream of stopping you from taking a walk with your grandson, Signore Compton.”

“Excellent. Now, when do I get to meet the bride to-be? She looks like a sweet girl in the photos I’ve seen. Much too sweet for a dog like you.” Will laughs and elbows Jack in the ribs, making him grin. This, this is the man he knows, the jokester, the ribald center of attention at every party, the man with the keen eye and even sharper business sense, a man full of life’s experiences and the stories to go with them. He is so very different than the man who punched him. And he doesn’t remember a thing about yesterday’s incident, clearly.

He sees Petra shake her head slightly and touches two fingers to his sore cheek.

“The rehearsal dinner is this evening, Gran. You can meet her then.”

“You should bring her by before, let me get a look at her. I thought I saw her earlier, actually.” Will gets a faraway look in his eyes. “Yes, I’m sure of it. She was walking down the hall toward the staircase. She smiled and said hello but disappeared down the stairs before I could say hello back. You’ll have to teach her not to be so shy, Jack. She’s part of the family now.”

“I will, Gran. Promise. I need to run. I just wanted to check on you, say hello, before things got busy with the wedding.”

“Ah, don’t go. Have a whisky with me. Let’s toast the end of your bachelorhood, just you and me.”

“While a whisky sounds delightful, Gran, I shouldn’t. But I’ll stop by later and bring Claire, so you can meet her properly.”

“All right, all right. I yield.” He hugs Jack close again, then breaks away. “What do you say, Petra, how shall we while away the time? Gin rummy or a film?”

“Cards sound good, Signore Compton. Let me see your grandson to the door. You shuffle, okay?”

Will obediently sits at his dining table and pulls the deck of cards toward him.