“Ah. And now you’re in the police.”
“I’m in a special liaison unit—Phoenix Seven. We work with the police.”
She took out a business card, and set it on the bar. He glanced at it.
“I see.”
He handed her a tumbler and raised his own.
“To you, Nikki. I’m in your debt.”
They drank.
“And what is it you do, Mr. Lake?”
“Investments. I’ve been quite fortunate in that regard. I came into my inheritance as a young man, in the dot-com nineties, and took a bit of a gamble. Invested in some technology companies. Risky, but it turned out to be a stroke of luck. I’ve managed to build upon that initial success.”
He looked around the beautiful room, and nodded. “Quite fortunate.”
Then he glanced down at the passport on the bar between them and his expression shifted.
“This dreadful business with Claire has cast a pall on all of us, I’m afraid,” he said. “It is quite impossible—truly inconceivable—to imagine why anyone would wish to harm her. She was such a sweet thing. Audrey adored her…we all did.”
“Can you tell me about Claire, Mr. Lake?” Nikki asked.
“I’ve already spoken with the police.”
“Oh,” said Nikki, “I’m not part of the investigation anymore. You don’t have to talk to me, if you’d rather not.”
He took another drink, and swirled the glass, watching the liquid move.
“Young. Bright,” he said. “Enthusiastic…keen to explore the world…a lover of books…and exceptionally caring. She had the correct credentials, of course. But beyond that, she had a natural affinity for children—really helped Audrey out of her shell. Claire joined us at our home in Kensington from July this year. Then, when we set sail, we simply couldn’t imagine being without her.”
“I understand that she went missing last week—in Capri?”
“Yes. Quite puzzling. We’d spent the day together: a bit of sightseeing and some shopping. After dinner, Claire brought Audrey back here…settled her into bed. When Fiona and I returned, Audrey was fast asleep, and we presumed Claire had retired to her quarters as well.It wasn’t until the next morning we discovered her missing. And Fiona noticed that her jewelry had also vanished.”
“What jewelry was missing?” Nikki asked.
“A gold pendant…a diamond tennis bracelet…three or four rings. There may have been more, but Fiona couldn’t give a good accounting. Fiona’s memory is…faulty these days.”
“Was there any evidence that Claire had taken the jewelry?”
He looked sharply at her. “No, you’re quite right in observing that. As I mentioned to the authorities: Claire was genuinely good-hearted and kind. We compensated her fairly, and she looked after Audrey with great care. She was practically a member of our family. It’s hard for me to believe she would have taken anything from us, or fled. Moreover, if she had been planning to leave, it doesn’t make sense for her to go without her passport.”
“What do you think happened?”
He leaned on the bar.
“I shared my theory with the police: I believe she was coerced. It’s my suspicion that someone threatened her—or perhaps threatened Audrey. If Claire did take Fiona’s jewelry, it’s likely she was compelled to do so by this other individual.”
“Did anyone see her leave the yacht?”
“No, but that’s not particularly unusual. We were docked with only a minimal crew onboard. The rest of the staff were on the island.”
He poured himself another substantial serving of whisky and offered to Nikki. She let him pour, but didn’t intend to drink. With Jayston talking so openly, she wanted a clear head. Sonia had dismissed her from the case, but she didn’t feel dismissed. If anything, she was more alert and energized than she’d been for months.
She’d told Audrey that she would find whoever had hurt Claire. She realized now that she meant it.
