Past Tense (19 page)

“Tony!” Sam wasn’t sure whether to laugh or rage at his preposterous scenario. “That sort of thing only happens in Gothic novels and silent movies.”

Tony shook his head. “Don’t be too sure. Everything that’s happened lately—they haven’t hurt you, but they’ve certainly made you nervous. You’ve gone to the police, who insist there’s not enough evidence. Much more of this, and they’re going to dismiss you as a crackpot. Sam, maybe that’s what Bennett wants.”

All levity fading, Sam stared at him. Was that possible?

The phone rang. Without thinking, she snatched it up.

“Samantha, I found out about Dubray.”

“Good.” She exhaled sharply. “Did he use his influence to get Bennett contracts?”

“No.” James sounded momentarily startled. “No, nothing like that. He was embezzling money.”

“Is that all?” Interesting though the information was, Sam didn’t see how it connected to the present situation.

“No, it’s not all. Apparently Dubray was also suspected of leaking security information to the wrong people, regarding a trade conference between French and Canadian politicians and industrialists that was to have been held in Montréal last spring.”

“And?”

“The conference was cancelled. It was too close to the date to change the location or the time, and too risky to hold it as scheduled. There had been threats made, serious threats.”

“But Dubray didn’t even go to jail. We checked the newspapers and they said the charges were dropped.”

“Yes. He replaced the money he embezzled.”

 Replaced the money? An awful suspicion suddenly took form. Bennett and Dubray. “How much was it?” As if she didn’t know the answer.

“One and a half million dollars.”

Sam clutched the phone as if it would save her from the quicksand that had formed under her feet. Exactly the amount she had lent Bennett a week before the cancelled wedding.

She took a deep breath, holding the anger at bay. “What about the security thing?”

“It appears he came up with some story about mixed-up documents. Without definitive proof, they couldn’t make the charges stick.”

And Dubray got off free and clear, perhaps solely thanks to Bennett.

James’s mellow voice interrupted her troubling speculations. “Interesting that you should be in London and ask about Dubray. The conference that was cancelled—it’s been rescheduled for London, this week. The news has just been released. The French reps were quite put out last time when it was canceled, so it was considered politic to hold the conference on neutral ground.”

“Is that all you have, James?”

“That’s all. Oh, except for one thing. After your father died, his secretary found some items of his marked personal in his office safe. I thought you’d like to have them but you’d gone. Would you like me to send them to you?”

Sam had long accepted the reality of her father’s devotion to his work. He hadn’t even kept a photo of her or her late mother on his desk. But perhaps there had been something, after all.

“Sure, James,” she said, surprised that her voice shook. “I’ll give you the address.” She recited the number and street.

“Good,” James said. “I’ll send it by the most expedient method. Samantha, any chance of you coming home?”

When this is all over
, she thought, feeling suddenly depressed.
When we
figure it out
. “Maybe,” she said. “’Bye, James. And thanks.”

She hung up the phone and faced Tony. “Something’s upset you,” he said with the intuitive sensitivity she’d learned to expect from him. “Tell me.”

He held out his arms, making her smile briefly. Even though there was room for her in the large chair, she forced herself to refuse the comfort he offered. She had to be strong.

Sitting down on the sofa, she related what James had told her, only revealing anger when she came to the part about the loan. “I wondered why he needed the cash when he could have borrowed against his business.” She clenched her fists in her lap. “He makes me so angry. He must have known I’d never condone that underhanded business.”

“Precisely why he needs you now. Your honest image.”

Her mouth turned down at the corners. “Sure. Tony, that conference. It can’t be a coincidence that Dubray is here just now, can it?”

“That’s what’s been worrying me all along.” Looking distinctly uncomfortable, Tony shifted in his seat. “Of course no one knew Dubray was there until you pointed it out. And Maurice was very close-mouthed about him. He didn’t tell me why he was investigating the man. Dubray was supposed to be staying only for the architects’ convention, but it ended several days ago and he’s is still in the hotel. That’s when we began to wonder if he was staying for the trade conference.”

Sam stared at him. “Then you knew about the conference. You didn’t mention it.”

“I wasn’t allowed to, especially since the Regal Arms is hosting it. And you weren’t involved, even if you did spot Dubray. But as Maurice pointed out to me the other night, you might be useful to have on our side. We’re going to have to rethink everything. Nothing can go wrong this time. The conference is important, perhaps even critical to Canadian-French relations.”

“Oh? How important?”

Tony shifted in his chair, leaning forward and clasping his hands together. “So important that the identities of some of those attending are still under wraps. Rumor has it that it may involve the top leaders of both countries. We’ve got a block of rooms and suites reserved for delegates, and the talk about security has been going on for days.”

Sam’s eyes widened. “Is it possible that Bennett is planning to do something to disrupt the conference?”

“I’ve been wondering that too, ever since you told me about Bennett. But with the security they’re instituting, I don’t see how. He wouldn’t be allowed within a mile of the hotel.”

Sam jumped up. “Tony, don’t you see? A bomb or an assassination. Death or scandal, it wouldn’t matter. Bennett referred to ‘precarious heights.’ That would certainly topple somebody from those heights.” Half defiantly, she fixed her eyes on him, but he didn’t laugh.

“You know, Sam, maybe that’s not as far fetched as it seems.” Getting up, he pulled her to her feet. “Let’s go see Maurice.”

Chapter Thirteen

Maurice St. Clair had a suite on the fourth floor of the Regal Arms. To Samantha’s surprise, Inspector Allen sat on the leather chair in the sitting room.

“So nice to see you again, Miss Smith,” he said with a warm smile. “It was kind of you to be willing to get involved in this situation.”

St. Clair walked in from the adjoining bedroom. “Oh, you’re here, Tony. Sit down.”

Tony introduced Samantha.

St. Clair smiled and held out his hand. “I’m so relieved. Your name isn’t really Agatha.” His grip was firm, and he clasped her hand with both of his. “Tony’s a lucky man.”

“Thank you,” Sam murmured, discreetly pulling at her hand. His smile didn’t waver as he let go, but an odd, calculating expression seemed to pass through his eyes. It was gone so quickly that Sam thought she must have imagined it. Not knowing what was expected of her, she felt jittery enough to imagine goblins hiding in the closet.

As soon as they were seated, St. Clair came straight to the point. “Samantha—first names are simpler, aren’t they?—what do you know about Robert Dubray?”

“Only what I’ve read in the papers, and what I heard today—that he was an embezzler.”

St. Clair nodded. “I understand you saw Dubray last March under rather unusual circumstances. Could you tell me about it?”

Samantha looked at Inspector Allen. “I told the inspector the whole story. Didn’t he tell you?”

“I’d like to hear it in your own words. Please.”

“Okay.” In a quiet, emotionless voice she related everything she’d seen.

When she finished, St. Clair sat for a long moment, lost in thought. “You don’t have any idea what they were talking about?”

“No. I told you, it’s a large house. They were only there a short time.”

He nodded. “Anything else?”

“Yes. The embezzled money. I think Bennett gave Dubray the funds to pay it back. The time factor seems to confirm it.”

St. Clair pursed his lips, making no comment on this. “And you have no idea why Germain was there.”

“None at all. I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful but maybe if you told me what you expected of me… What’s this all about?”

St. Clair looked at Inspector Allen, who nodded faintly. He turned back to Samantha. “Dubray is considered a security risk. Aside from the leak that was traced to him last spring, we found out he used the money he stole to support a radical group that wants an independent Québec. They’ve been involved in several demonstrations calling for a pure French Canada and no Canadian ties with France. Some of their confrontations with the law got quite ugly. We’re afraid they might try to disrupt the conference here.”

“But I really don’t know anything, except that Bennett also favors an independent Québec. He’s supporting a politician named Paul Messier. Is it possible that Bennett might also be supporting separatist groups?”

St. Clair frowned thoughtfully. “We’ll check it out. It might take a while though, especially if he did it anonymously. And we don’t have much time. As for Paul Messier, he has achieved a certain popularity. But I wouldn’t worry about him. He’s innocuous enough.”

“But will he remain that way, with Bennett behind him?” Sam persisted.

“It’s not important. We have to see that this conference goes off according to plan. Then we’ll worry about Price and Messier.”

He gazed intently at Samantha. “Samantha, I’m working with the police and the RCMP who will be arriving in a day or two to help coordinate security arrangements for the conference. I’d like you to be in on it. You know Price. You might also recognize some of the people who work for him. Although we’re checking out all employees concerned, it’s still possible for somebody to infiltrate with false identification.”

He paused and threw Tony a low-key smile. “I’m sure Tony will appreciate your help.”

St. Clair got to his feet, indicating the meeting was over. “Thank you all for coming. Tony, don’t forget our meeting tomorrow.”

* * * *

“Does he really want my help, or does he just want me where he can keep an eye on me?” Samantha said in a disgruntled tone as she and Tony walked home.She shivered, drawing her coat collar around her neck. The rain had subsided, but the wind had the bite of autumn.

They had stopped at Sam’s flat where everything appeared as usual. Bagheera had met them at the back door and they’d put out a fresh supply of food for him.

“I don’t think the information I gave him was anything new.”

“Probably it wasn’t,” Tony agreed. He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “But he’s right, you know. You do know Bennett and some of the people who work for him, like the chauffeur in Paris, for instance. We need you on site.”

“What’s to stop Bennett from hiring somebody else?”

“Nothing, I suppose.” He stopped and pulled her close, nuzzling his face in her glossy hair. “Look, Sam, it’s all speculation. We’ve got no evidence at all that Bennett is even aware of the conference.”

“I know,” Sam said, her voice muffled against his coat. “That’s what makes it frustrating. But the way he talked about government leaders gives me a bad feeling. I think Bennett can be a very ruthless man.”

Tony let her go and they resumed walking. “But there’s no reason even to question him. As far as anybody knows he has nothing to do with the conference. He’s certainly not on the guest lists. Bennett’s never been in trouble with the law, at least nothing than can be proved. On the surface, he’s an exemplary citizen. And here, he’s a foreigner. The police have to be careful about false arrest. They don’t want to cause an international incident.”

“That means,” said Sam, “that the pressure is on us to keep our eyes open.”

Tony took out his key and unlocked the mews gate. “And the security staff.” He stepped aside, admitting Sam, and then relocked the gate.

“Which of the delegates are staying at the Regal Arms?” Sam asked as they walked across the courtyard.

“Some of the Canadians.” They entered Tony’s house, and Sam breathed in the welcome warmth. “Several of their security staff have already arrived. Parker has been complaining. He sees their stringent checks as a slight to his meticulous management.”

“Already they’re preparing?” Sam realized at once that the elaborate procedures confirmed the attendance of more than low-level diplomats. “Which reps are staying there?”

“The Québec premier and his staff.” Tony took Sam’s coat and hung it up. “The federal cabinet minister involved is staying at a different hotel as a precaution, as are some of the other delegates. After what happened with Mrs. Thatcher a few years ago when her hotel was bombed, they’re not taking any chances.”

Sam let out a low whistle. “But this isn’t a volatile situation, is it?”

“It could be. There are people who feel very strongly about some of the issues.” Tony gestured her to a seat. “Do you want coffee or tea?”

When Sam shook her head, he sat down. “Sam, after the demonstrations last spring about fishing rights and the breach of security which they traced to Dubray, they’re being doubly careful.”

A strange feeling dawned on her that Tony had known more about the situation than he’d said. “You mean you suspected Dubray before we talked about him?”

Tony’s brow lifted in surprise at her tone. “Actually, no. You drew our attention to Dubray. And to Bennett. Your conclusions led us to wonder if there was a connection, especially since Dubray is also staying at the Regal Arms. Of course, it may have no significance at all. He hasn’t been in a position of any power since he got fired. In any case he’s due to leave in a couple of days. He’ll be gone before the delegates arrive.”

“I don’t like it.” Sam couldn’t shake off a feeling of dread. And the fact that her money had likely been used to get Dubray off the hook didn’t sit well at all. “I wonder if Bennett’s planning to pay me back.”

“I’d say he’s planning on paying you back for something,” Tony declared darkly. “That attempt to grab you on the street didn’t look like a joke.” He leaned forward earnestly. “Sam, promise me you’ll be careful, at least until the conference is over. By then the pressure should be off. If nothing happens, then we can see Bennett again, together, and find out what he wants.”