“I think he’s lying.” A sip of her tea followed Addy’s quiet suggestion. “It’s the crack in the voice that gives it away.”
“Oh, I just thought it was because he opened his mouth.” Sam agreed with her though. The Earl had done nothing but lie to them from the moment they’d arrived.
He lied about his associations when they introduced themselves as emissaries from Red Wolf, yet he’d dismissed his staff. He lied when they revealed whom they were, and offered them swift payment to remove themselves from his property. Oddly, he continued to lie, even now. They simply hadn’t found the right button to push, as Addy would describe it. “The only question I have is, what secret is our good friend Red Wolf holding over him that he’s willing to die to protect?”
He didn’t quite face the Earl, but he didn’t miss the way the man’s face paled at the question.
“I couldn’t begin to tell you, but I believe I know what crimes the Earl has been hiding here on the estate.” She tapped the spacebar of the Earl’s private laptop. She’d located the device during a walking tour of the estate, while Sam dealt with the first round of questions. “He has some very naughty photographs on here.”
“Naughty?” Evincing a puerile interest in porn never hurt.
“I’m sorry, darling. I truly don’t think these naughty photographs are for you. These naughty photographs really aren’t suitable for anyone. Tell me, Lord Robert, are you familiar with the child pornography laws of Great Britain?”
Pivoting, Sam faced the Earl. The man’s face had completely blanched. “Those aren’t my photographs.”
“The security passcode on the file would negate such an assertion. I’m afraid that possession, coupled with location, coupled with your title, would make for quite the juicy scandal.”
How far did the little vixen plan to take the issue? Sam wasn’t quite sure, but he was more than willing to play along. “I’m sureThe MirrororThe Sunwould have a field day. They do so love lurid details.”
“They aren’t mine. I object to the character assassination you two seem intent upon performing.”
“I’m afraid you’d have to have a character in order for it to be assassinated.” Sam closed the distance between them slowly. “As an expert in assassination, I’m very familiar with that.”
The distinct odor of urine filled the room, and he shook his head. It was almost too easy. Whoever this fool was, and whatever he was to Red Wolf… how they had allowed such a liability to run loose did not bode well for the future of that organization. What a true pity that would be.
“And now he’s gone and soiled himself,” Addy said with a hint of disgust. She turned the laptop around. On the screen was a spreadsheet. “Tell me, Lord Robert, are the deposits for human trafficking? Drugs? Payoffs? Have you been selling your vote in the House of Lords? Or have you simply been using your position to gain leverage over the peerage?” No game or artifice marred her questions. In these accusations, she was perfectly serious.
The Earl cleared his throat. “I should seek the advice of legal counsel.” The man had just pissed himself, but thought he had the right to legal counsel.
“Your Lordship, I feel it’s my duty to inform you that you are currently tied to a chair, with a gun literally pressed against the side of your head.” He set the gun there to emphasize the point. “By two former operatives disavowed by MI6. We literally have nothing to lose. You have everything at stake. Tell me again about how you need legal representation?”
“Fine, I will tell you anything you wish to know.”
“Who is Red Wolf?” Addy wasted no time.
The Earl’s expression crumbled. “I can tell you anything but that. Anything, name it, and it’s yours.”
Rising, Addy dusted off her skirt, then lifted the laptop. “Samuel, dearest?” She said as she crossed the room heading for the stairs. Sam paced behind the Earl, thoroughly enjoying this part of the performance.
“Yes, m’lady?”
“I desire a confession and the truth. Would you care to do that while I put together a tea for us?”
“I’d be delighted to, my dear.”
She blew him a kiss, then disappeared upstairs. Pulling the slide out of the gun, Sam returned to standing before the Earl. He set aside the gun, then removed his jacket and folded it. Then he began rolling up his sleeves.
“What are you doing?” Somehow, Sam suspected that the Earl had finally gotten a glimpse at a very ugly future.
“What m’lady wishes, m’lady gets.” Sam told him. “Last chance to come out of this with your face still intact. Trust me, your lordship, I will make sure you have one or two teeth they can identify.”
It took losing three, for the Earl to finally crack. Sam was impressed; he thought he’d give after one. Of course, the first two had only been his incisors. Perhaps he should have started with the molars. Mouth bleeding, pissed shorts, and unconscious, the Earl slumped in the chair. Sam washed his hands, then adjusted his short shirtsleeves and pulled his jacket on before climbing the stairs to join Addy. She sat in the sunshine, staring out across an empty garden. The manor house was old, had been in the Earl’s family for many generations.
“Did you get it?” No hint of doubt marred her question, she knew he wouldn’t have joined her if he didn’t have something to say. Depositing a kiss on the corner of her mouth first, he then took a seat. She poured him a cup of tea, though at this point, he could’ve gone for something slightly stronger. “He claims to be Red Wolf.”
Addy stilled. “He’s too young. And he doesn’t match the physical description at all.”
“He swears he is, swears he has proof. It’s located in a secure box in Switzerland.”