She regards her husband. He’s only saying that because he’s always had it. He grew up with money, so he takes it for granted. She didn’t, and neither did Jill, so they look at it a little differently.
The doorbell rings, surprising them, and they both glance in the direction of the door. ‘I’ll get it,’ Ben offers, getting out of his chair.
Lara hears him speaking to someone on the doorstep and goes out to the foyer to see who it is. Ben turns to her, the door open. ‘This man’s from the Coast Guard. He wants to ask us a few questions.’ Ben looks at her doubtfully, as if he’s not sure of the right course of action.
But she is driven by curiosity. ‘It’s fine. Come in,’ she says graciously. Why does the US Coast Guard want to speak to them? It can only be about Greg’s accident.
The man shows a badge and introduces himself as Special Agent Paul Ramirez, and she turns and leads them all into the front room. He sits in one of the armchairs, glancing around, as if taking in all the details of the room. Well, of course he’s impressed, Lara thinks. He’s probably never seen anything quite like it. Unless he’s already been to Ted and Jill’s place. She wonders if he has.
Once they’re all settled, he says, ‘I’m investigating the incident at sea that resulted in the death of Greg Westcott.’
She nods. Jill had mentioned earlier today that the Coast Guard was doing an accident investigation. Still, she wonders what he’s doing here. What would she and Ben know about it?
‘I believe you know Ted and Jill Westcott well,’ the agent says.
She glances at her husband. ‘Yes, very well. I’ve known Jill since college.’
Her husband offers, ‘I met them through my wife.’
‘Did you know Greg Westcott?’ Agent Ramirez asks.
‘A little,’ Lara says.
‘Tell me about him. What was he like?’
Ben flashes her a glance and then says to Ramirez, ‘Why are you asking us these questions?’
‘It’s just routine,’ the agent replies pleasantly. ‘Due diligence. I just want to be able to close the file. I’ve been told he was a bit reckless, careless of his personal safety.’
‘Yes,’ Lara agrees. She considers what to say, settles on the truth. ‘He was a bit arrogant, to be honest. Jill told me he put them all at risk, staying out in that weather, refusing to turn back.’
The agent nods. ‘He was a bit of a risk-taker, I understand. Never wore a life jacket.’
‘That’s what Jill told me,’ she says, relaxing. ‘He was a very confident sailor.’
‘Before the accident,’ the agent continues, ‘did Jill ever mention to you that Ted was his brother’s heir?’
The question surprises her. She shakes her head, suddenly uncomfortable. ‘No. I don’t think they knew.’
‘Oh, they knew,’ the agent says.
Lara stares back at him. He’s clearly insinuating something. The atmosphere has changed. She remembers Jill at lunch earlier that day, talking about the inheritance.He had no idea. She glances at her husband, who looks concerned.
‘Did Jill ever confide in you about the financial difficulties she and Ted were having?’ Ramirez says now.
It startles her. Lara isn’t aware of any financial difficulties. She feels as if the room is shifting around her. ‘No.’ She glances again at her husband, uneasy.
‘Look, what are you getting at, exactly?’ Ben asks brusquely.
‘I thought it was clear. I’m investigating what happened at sea, and how Greg Westcott lost his life. Whether it was an accident, or murder.’
Ramirez watches their faces. He’d seen the dawning of realization as he asked his questions. But this bald statement seems to have come as a shock, nevertheless.
He knows he’s going a little rogue here. He doesn’t in factknowwhether Ted and Jill knew beforehand that Ted was his brother’s heir. But no matter. It’s obviously been effective here. He knows from Minerva Westcott that the financial problems are real enough.
‘I think you’d better leave,’ Ben suggests in a cold voice.
Lara Donleavy simply stares at him, but there’s something busy going on behind her eyes.
