Nice Place for a Murder Read Online Free Page B

“Teague told me you were in your boat fishing when he got to you on this case.”
    There was an edge to Ingo’s voice. “Please don’t refer to this incident as a case, Hector. It’s not a case and not a crisis. This is — was — an accident, yes?” He moved about the room, switching on lamps against the approaching sunset. “I was there. I saw it happen.”
    “Does anyone think it wasn’t an accident?” Hector said.
    “Only Seidenberg has mentioned that possibility,” Ingo said. “Not the ambulance people, not the police. Certainly not me, and I don’t think Lisa, either. Go ask her.”
    “Were you swimming with Kenny when it happened?” Hector said.
    “I didn’t go in till we ran down to go after Kenny,” Ingo said. “I’d planned to swim, but I was too busy today.”
    “There’s something you should know,” I said
    Ingo jumped in quickly. The look on his face betrayed his impatience at an account of events other than his own. “Seidenberg had an unpleasant incident on his way here. But there’s no reason to think  —“
    “A guy in a boat just offshore here shot at me,” I said, “He got away.”
    Ingo frowned. “And what did that have to do with Kenny?”
    “I’ll find out.”
    “Don’t do it on my account,” Ingo said. “You understand my position on this, yes?” He took Hector by the elbow and turned him away from me, as though that would somehow assure their privacy. “I don’t think there’s a need for Seidenberg. We’ve had a tragedy, but there’s nothing more to be done, is there? Let’s move on.” He glared at Hector with an intensity that said this was more than a suggestion.
    But Hector was far too confident to be unsettled, even by the high voltage of Ingo Julian. He moved close to the man, radiating his best I’ve-got-this-under-control manner. “I understand your concern. Give me a few minutes to square this away with Ben.”
    There was a clumsy silence. “I’ll be in the library,” Ingo said, finally, and turned to walk through the archway. Watching him from the back, I noticed for the first time he had an odd, rolling gait that pitched him forward slightly each time he stepped out on his right leg. Old damage from the crash, I thought. He halted and turned. “Thank you, Seidenberg. I appreciate your coming. Hector, be sure to thank Teague for sending him.” And he was gone.
    “Do that, Hector,” I said. “By all means, thank Teague for sending me.”
    Hector knew Ingo’s mention of Roger was an irritation. He touched my shoulder and gave me a knowing smile. He was so adept at this, smoothing matters over, stroking you, making you forget you were angry. “You know how Ingo is, Ben.”
    “No, how is he?”
    “He’s stubborn and autocratic and inconsiderate to the point of rudeness. He’s also a clear minded leader who makes every decision based entirely upon what’s best for Julian Communications.”
    “Whether it’s right or not, I suppose.”
    Hector moved to a chair and settled into it. “Right? Come on, Ben, only politicians and clergymen talk about what’s right, and even they don’t mean it. In the end, when they say something’s the right thing to do, you can bet they mean it’s consistent with their own agendas.”
    “You shock me, Hector. Don’t you believe in the rule of law?”
    “Law, yes. I’m all for law. Took an oath. What does that have to do with right? Come and sit down. Ingo told me his version of everything on the phone. Now you talk to me.”
    I didn’t feel like sitting, so I paced in front of him. “I’m saddened to learn how the world of Julian Communications really works.”
    He grinned and shook his head. “How did you get so righteous, Ben Seidenberg, tapper of phones, intimidator of enemies, hoodwinker of lawmen, professional hard-ass.”
    “Retired professional hard-ass,” I said. ”I’m not making judgments, Hector. The morality of Julian Communications is none of my business. Empire Security will