Damien got up and stuffed his hands into his pockets, standing with his back to the fire. He became quite tense, his voice harsh. "Why don't you try putting yourself in my position? My wife in love with him and now embroiled in his drug dealing, my mother unwittingly involved, and Julia terrified about what he would do to her. Then there are the children—my child! How in God's name could I do anything but behave like the proverbial ostrich? I did nothing. I am starting to get really irritated by your persistent attempts to make out that I was in any way involved."
"I am only attempting to get to the truth," Anna retorted sharply.
"The truth is exactly as I have described: he had us all caught like rabbits in the spotlight, afraid to make a move. You asked me if I liked him—liked him? I hated his guts. He was a vain, egotistical bastard; he would use anyone, and that included his kids and my wife."
"Your wife claimed that you had an open marriage."
He gave a short, mirthless laugh. Turning to put more logs on the fire, he kicked at the burned wood with the toe of his shoe. "I don't know what she claimed. You could say it was open on her side; she never stopped loving him."
"Did you have a sexual relationship with Julia to get back at her?"
"No, I did not. I had sex with her once."
"To get back at him?"
He sighed, shaking his head. "It was years ago. It wasn't connected to the drug deal. I had Julia calling me and crying about some woman who had moved into the house in St. John's Wood. I didn't even know he was in the country, and I hadn't even met him. This was the time I gave Julia the directions to come here. As soon as she told me Alex had another woman, I knew it had to be Honour, because she was not at home; she'd made some excuse about a friend being ill. Julia turns up here and ..." He gave an openhanded gesture. Then he walked back to the table and sat, stretching his long legs in front of him. "That's life, isn't it? Honour desperate for a child; I spend one night with Julia and she's pregnant."
"How did your wife react to that?"
"Honour is a bit like a homing pigeon; settled back here and just accepted it. I am going to see her later today. She's called and asked me to take in some clothes. She's wearing the same ones she was arrested in."Anna closed her notebook and reached down for her briefcase. "Have you any idea where he is?" She opened her case on the table and put in her notebook."1 hope wherever he is, he rots in hell."Anna snapped the locks on her case. "So no more brotherly love between you?""My wife is in prison because of him; my mother may even be subjected to a trial. He's taken every cent out of her account; she was hoping she'd get custody ofjulia's children. He's hurt everyone he came into contact with.""He killed a lot of people, or they died because of him," Anna said, standing."If he surfaced here, or even tried to contact me, I'd strangle him."She smiled. "Well, that would be a mistake. I'll give you my card and contact numbers; if he does try to see you, call me."He flicked at the card, holding it between thumb and forefinger. "Can I call you?""I'm sorry?""Maybe for dinner one night? I sometimes have to lecture in London. I would enjoy your company when all this is over.""It won't be over, Mr. Nolan, until we find him.""But I can call you?"She smiled as she crossed to the back door. "I don't think it would be very ethical, but thank you anyway. I appreciate the time you have given me, and the sandwich."He joined her at the stable door and reached over her head to open it, swinging the top part back. Langton stood there, framed by the half-open door. "Good afternoon, Mr. Nolan and Detective Travis.""I was just leaving," she stuttered."Really? Well, I was just arriving. You mind if I come in?""Not at all," Damien said pleasantly enough, "but, dear God, don't tell me I have to go over everything again!"Langton waited as the lower part of the stable door was open and he stepped inside. Anna could feel his contained anger as he passed her.Rather nervously, Anna reported that she was satisfied that Mr. Nolan had answered all her queries, and she had been about to leave and meet up with Langton.Langton glared at her and then looked at Damien. "Maybe