Page 60 of Little Hidden Fears

A couple of minutes later, the gate opened, and I made my way to the front of the house. I was met by a tall, shrewd-looking man with a large, narrow nose and beady eyes. He was standing in front of the towering double doors at the home’s entrance, his arms crossed.

“You must be Intercom Guy,” I said.

“What makes you think I’m not Alexander?”

“A few things.”

He was well dressed, but he didn’t have the right air about him.

He struck me as a person who was second in command, not first.

I didn’t elaborate, instead asking, “What’s your name?”

“Max Sterling.”

“It’s nice to meet you.”

I waited for him to return the sentiment.

He did not.

“You let me in, Max,” I said. “Now what?”

“I’ve let Mr. Beaumont know you’re here, and against my better judgment, he’s eager to speak with you. Come with me.”

I followed him inside to a sitting room the size of a modest house. Once there, he pointed at a black velvet chair and said, “Sit here, and Mr. Beaumont will be with you in a moment.”

“When you sayin a moment, is it an actual moment or more like the wait I just had outside when you said the same thing?”

Max didn’t find my attempt at humor amusing, and he turned, leaving the room without offering a response. Unable to resist the urge, I cupped a hand to the side of my mouth, saying, “By the way, your tie is crooked.”

If the man didn’t despise me before, he did now.

Max had just turned the corner when another man walked in. He was in his early eighties, I guessed, and bald, though it didn’t take away from his distinguished style and good looks. From his polished shoes to the blue pocket square and black tailored suit, everything about him was impeccable.

He approached and said, “Miss Germaine, is it?”

I nodded, and he stuck out a hand, which I accepted.

“Alexander Beaumont, nice to meet you.” He took a seat across from me. “I hear you’re on the Noelle Winters case. How’s it going, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“I’ve had a bit of a slow start, but I’m gathering together a shortlist of suspects, and it’s looking a lot more promising.”

“Good to know. What is it you’ve come to see me about?”

“I was told you’re the biggest investor of the tennis club.”

“Yes, tennis was my late wife’s passion.”

“I’m sorry to hear she’s passed on.”

“She’s been gone for over three years now. To me, it still feels like yesterday when I held her hand, said goodbye. You can have all the money in the world, but money means nothing when you can’t save the person you love. I tried, I sure tried. No matter.She’s gone now. Did you know Noelle and my wife were good friends?”

“I did not.”

“They often played tennis together. My wife found Noelle to be a formidable opponent.”

“I hear Noelle was a talented player in her younger years.”