Page 89 of The Best of Friends

“I’m not, but with this car, I could.”

The valet at the hotel practically whimpered when he saw the shiny car. “S-sir,” he breathed, nearly trembling as he took the keys. “I’ll guard it with my life.”

“Keep it up front,” Blaine told him. “We won’t be long.”

They went into the hotel and walked to a house phone.

“You want to make the call, or should I?” Blaine asked.

“He’ll probably come down for me before he comes down for you,” David said. “I’ll pretend I don’t know there’s any trouble.”

Twenty seconds later, he’d been connected to Nigel’s room.

“Hey, there,” David said, sounding happy to talk to his old friend. “It’s David Worden. I heard you were in town. I’m here at your hotel. Want to grab a drink?”

Nigel hesitated just long enough for David to know he was nervous. “I’m kind of busy right now, David.”

“You can spare half an hour. I’m flying out tonight to”—he paused—“London. I won’t be back for weeks. Come on. I haven’t seen you since I was last at the mine.”

“Okay. Sure. One drink. I’ll be right down.”

David and Blaine split up. David went out onto the rear terrace to make sure Nigel didn’t try to slip out the back way. A minute later, he walked into the open lobby and glanced around. David moved back inside while Blaine joined Nigel.

The tall Australian man looked surprised, and not in a happy way. “You didn’t tell me your father was with you,” he said, then forced a smile. “Blaine. Always good to see you.”

“Likewise.”

They shook hands, then made their way through the lobby and outside, onto the beach.

“I thought we were getting a drink,” Nigel said, pushing his hair off his forehead. “Don’t you want a drink?”

“Too many people,” Blaine said. “Let’s talk privately.”

Nigel swallowed. “I don’t know what Rebecca told you but—”

“She said you were a nasty little weasel,” David told him. “I’d love to beat the shit out of you right here, but that wouldn’t teach you anything, would it?”

Nigel turned back toward the hotel. “I’m not going to listen to this.”

“You can talk to us, or I can talk to Eric,” Blaine said conversationally. “You choose.”

Nigel stopped in midstep.

“Eric and I have known each other for years.” Blaine adjusted the sleeves on his linen jacket. “I remember when all he had was a deed to land no one else wanted and the belief that he would find diamonds. He came to me for a loan. Did you know that?”

Nigel shook his head.

David hadn’t known that either. No wonder Worden’s got first right of refusal on every diamond.

“Everyone told me I was throwing my money away, but I believed in Eric. I gave him the money he needed to start production. You know what happened next. It was one of the largest finds of the last fifty years. Nearly as big as the Argyle mines. Eric and I go way back.”

“Look, Blaine—”

“I’m sorry Elizabeth and I couldn’t make it to the wedding. I understand it was beautiful. But you got our gift?”

“Ah, sure. Yeah. It was great.”

“You’re happily married now, aren’t you?”