Page 43 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

The old man goes to his cabinet of expensive poisons and pours amber liquid into two glasses, offering one to Lachlan, who decides instantly that it doesn’t matter what’s in it. It’s going down the hatch, desperate as he is to gain favour in any way to protect Mimi.

The liquid burns his throat.

‘Thank you, sir.’

‘Primrose’s death—’

‘Priscilla, sir. Pardon me, her name was Priscilla Carrigan.’

Penhalyx gives a cold smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. ‘As I was saying, following her death, my assistant Maddox assumed control of her devices. He uncovered several messages written in code. I had the correspondence traced and the recipient identified as an intermediary specialising in financial intelligence. Priscilla, it seems, had been supplying confidential records for months at the behest of someone I considered a friend.’

‘I’m sorry, I… I don’t…’

‘She was a spy for Madeline Delacroix.’

Lachlan makes a face. ‘What?’

‘Yes.’ Penhalyx’s mouth curls unpleasantly. ‘The loss of her brother has unhinged her. Madeline has been feeding details of my accounts, holdings and tax arrangements to revenue investigators, laundering every disclosure through intermediaries to conceal its source. Priscilla provided her with internal records she could never have obtained alone.’

Lachlan quickly sees how bad this could get.

‘Sir, I had no idea.’

‘It is disappointing that you did not catch this serious discrepancy earlier, but had the incident with Jessamine not occurred, I would not have known about this betrayal at all. I will bear that in mind.’

‘I’m sorry, sir.’

Penhalyx sits once more, sipping his drink.

‘You may have unilateral control over the household from now on. I tire of assigning people to this seemingly cursed role.’

The old man looks at the corner where Clara and Mason died.

Lachlan follows his gaze.

Priscilla didn’t die too far from here either.

Barely two corridors away.

‘Yes, sir.’

‘You will co-operate with Troy Harker. He will ensure that no family comes forward, and so forth. You know the drill by now, I am sure.’

Lachlan does, much as it guts him.

‘Understood, sir.’

‘I will deal with Madeline myself when I have the capacity for it, which reminds me. After the destruction on Sable Key, I will be installing several new upgrades in the sub-levels of the Estate and transporting several high-value items.’ That sounds horribly like he’s coming to stay. ‘You will introduce me to your friend, the innovator. I have been very patient.’

‘I… yes, sir.’

‘Drink up, my friend. I would not have you so shaken. I know very well that you love her, our daughter,’ Penhalyx intones quietly, his gaze fixed upon Lachlan, ‘but I am a forgiving man. When you and your clever friend help me with the new installation, I shall consider this particular matter dealt with. Your precious Mimi will not be harmed or punished in any way for the failure, which, we both know, was yours.’ Lachlan has barely felt the first soothing touch of relief when Penhalyx goes on. ‘However, I am told that you and my son are failing to exercise the discretion I outlined.’

Oh.

Fuck.

‘I believe I was very clear about this, was I not?’