Read Online Gold of Kings by Davis Bunn - Free Book Online Page B

He used his nose as a lofty pointer. “Shall we say a hundred and fifty thousand?”
    â€œMy bottom price is two-ten.”
    â€œYou are a tough nut. But I do want that for my client. Two hundred even, but only if you throw in that little stand.”
    â€œThis happens to be a Napoleonic commode with its original ormolu facade. The price on that is eighty thousand.”
    â€œOh, all right. Two-twenty for the both of them.”
    When Emma Webb appeared at the entrance, Storm reluctantly rose to her feet. “Two-fifty for the pair. Banker’s draft or cash. I’ll redtag it until tomorrow only. Don’t even think of arguing, Curtis. You’ll have to excuse us.”
    Emma slipped past the departing dealer. The federal agent wore a suit the color of desert khaki, only in silk. The short skirt revealed shapely legs in matching tights. Heels, gold Rolex and choker, diamond studs. Everything distinctly feminine except the expression. And the metallic tint to her voice. “I need to speak privately with you.”
    â€œNot a chance.”
    â€œAre you aware that Harry Bennett is a convicted felon?”
    Harry said, “There’s no such thing in the Barbados legal system as a felon. Besides which, I was framed.”
    â€œOh. Excuse me. An innocent con. How novel.”
    Harry told Storm, “I’ll go walk the halls.”
    Storm stopped him with a hand on his arm. “Harry Bennett is here because my grandfather asked him to come. I’m still trying to work out exactly what role you play.”
    Emma said, “We have a suspicious death tied directly to Harry Bennett, not to mention the attack on you.”
    â€œWhich Harry foiled. And don’t forget you only know about the London attack because he told you.”
    Harry said to Storm, “I forgot to ask. Did you call your aunt?”
    â€œLast night.”
    â€œExcuse me, I’m talking here,” Emma said. “My superiors are concerned Harry Bennett might be part of some plot.”
    â€œYou’re suggesting Harry had something to do with my grandfather’s death? That’s insane.”
    â€œNot directly, no. He couldn’t have. We checked. Harry Bennett wasn’t in the country when Sean Syrrell died. But we don’t know who he works for. Or why precisely he’s here at all.”
    Storm crossed her arms. “Funny. I was just going to say the same thing about you.”
    Emma punched a hand into her purse and came out with a leather case. She flipped it open and held it out.
    Storm inspected it carefully. “At least you didn’t lie about your name.”
    â€œI told you. Everything I said was the truth.”
    Harry read off the badge. “Treasury?”
    â€œOn temporary assignment to a Homeland Security task force. I also act as liaison between the task force and Interpol.”
    Harry asked, “Interpol was investigating Sean?”
    Storm said, “Sean was the most honest man I’ve ever known.”
    Harry said, “I’d give that a big ten four.”
    â€œImagine my surprise when Sean Syrrell showed up in my law office, a setup that was supposedly top secret, and asked me to represent him.”
    Harry liked that one. “He broke your cover. That sounds like Sean.”
    â€œYou’re missing the point,” Storm said, her gaze locked on Emma. “He knew there was nothing he could say to stop your investigation.”
    â€œSean Syrrell showed up and said, ‘Do this in the case of my death,’” Emma said.
    Harry was nodding now. “Any warning he might have passed on would only have heightened your suspicions. But this…”
    Storm’s voice almost broke over the weight of saying, “He knew everything .”
    Harry asked, “What do you want from Storm?”
    â€œMy superior would like to have a word.”
    â€œYour Interpol guy?”
    â€œNo. Homeland Security.”
    â€œNot a