‘Are you going to arrest me for smoking now?’
Tilda stood in front of her, indicating for Kelly to challenge her and see what happened. She behaved as though she was above the law, and something told Kelly that she was.
Kelly opened the door.
‘Can I ask just one more question?’
Tilda sighed.
‘Did you know Jamie’s sister?’
‘Angelina?’
‘Yes.’
‘I know he has a sister. I don’t think I’ve met her.’
‘But you knew of her?’
‘Jamie talked about her.’
‘And you’re sure you’ve never met her? She was staying at a hotel near here, paid for by Jamie.’
‘Really?’
‘Really. Her body was found on Monday. She’s dead.’
Tilda didn’t react for a minute, then she made a cruel joke.
‘Suicide too?’ Her face barely changed.
Kelly’s stomach tightened.
Tilda softened. ‘She was an incredible artist, I recall. We have some of her work in the head office in New York.’
Then Kelly realised what had been bothering her. She’d seen Angelina’s paintings hanging in the offices of Hampton-Dent online, and one had stood out because of its familiarity.
‘You were saying?’ Tilda said.
‘Sorry, yes. I know her work is quite exquisite,’ Kelly said. ‘Did you manage to visit the caves? Everybody else seemed to.’
‘That’s two questions.’
‘Is it?’
Tilda stared at her. ‘What caves?’
‘Rydal Caves. The award-winning painting hanging in the atrium of Hampton-Dent HQ, isn’t that what you were talking about when you admired Angelina’s work? I didn’t make the connection till now. It’s special, this place,’ Kelly said.
‘Is it? I find it cold, bleak and damp.’
‘You didn’t want to come?’
‘Like I said, Hank loves it here in the UK.’
‘Was it him who commissioned her work?’
‘I have no idea.’
