Page 59 of Little Hidden Fears

“Do you have an appointment?”

“I don’t, but I was hoping?—”

“Alexander is a busy man, and he doesn’t take walk-ins off the street.”

He spoke to me like I was classless riffraff.

I let it slide, for now.

“I wasn’t aware I needed an appointment,” I said.

“What is the reason for your visit?”

“I’m a private investigator. I’ve been hired to investigate the death of Noelle Winters. Before she was murdered, she was an instructor at Royal Palms, the tennis club Alexander is an investor in.”

“What does her death and the tennis club have to do with the purpose of your visit?”

If nothing else, at least he was thorough.

“I’ve been told Alexander is the biggest shareholder of the tennis club,” I said. “And I have reason to believe Noelle’s murder might be connected to the club in some way.”

There was a long pause, and I wondered if he’d halted our communication.

“Hello?” I said. “Are you still there?”

“Just one moment, if you don’t mind.”

I did mind, but if waiting a moment allowed me to speak to Alexander, I could spare it.

One minute went by, and then two, and then ...

“Mr. Beaumont doesn’t have time to speak with you today, Miss Germaine,” he said. “Like I said, he’s a busy man.”

“And I’m a busy woman. Is there any chance he’d reconsider? I’ll be brief.”

“Have a nice day, Miss Germaine. Goodbye.”

I considered my next move.

“I’ll ask you to leave now,” he said.

“Did you even tell Alexander who I am and why I’m here?”

“I saw no reason to disturb him.”

“So, no, then. Okay, fine. I’ll wait here until a few minutes in his schedule free up. I imagine he has to leave the house at some point, right? I’ll be right here when he does.”

“You cannot loiter at the front gate.”

“I can, and I will.”

“If you’re not going to respect my decision, I’m sorry to say I’ll have to call the police.”

“Go ahead—they’re friends of mine. I’m sure they’d like to hear what I have to say. Here I was thinking it might be best to share the private information I’ve come across with AlexanderbeforeI took it to the police, as it will interest him. But now ...”

He huffed an impatient, “I’ll tell him you’re here, but if he doesn’t wish to see you, I’ll expect you to leave.”

“Fine.”