He thought about Marcus. Who could he be? Lenka had said that he had a ‘right’ to know the truth about Alex’s death. Who could have a ‘right’ to know? That didn’t fit policemen or private investigators and it especially didn’t fit journalists. It had to be someone with a closer link to Alex. Friend? Relation?
Suddenly, Chris knew the answer. It should be easy enough to check: Eric would be able to confirm it.
‘Hey, Chris, how are you?’
It was the man himself, wearing a blazer, shirt and tie, and looking totally at ease in the surroundings. Like Ian, he gave the impression of experience and authority beyond his years, but unlike Ian, he wore it in a relaxed, self-confident way.
‘I’m all right. And you?’
Eric perched on a stool next to Chris. ‘It’s crazy. But it’s always crazy. I’ve just done my calculations for the IRS. Do you know I spent one hundred and forty-three days out of the country last year?’
‘All on business?’
‘All but four of them. We were supposed to have a vacation in Bermuda for a week, but I got called back early. Cassie was mad as hell, and I don’t blame her. But I guess I like things this way.’ He ordered a kir from the barman. ‘It’s been what? Over a year?’
‘Almost. It was just after Lenka and I had started Carpathian. We all met up for dinner at that place in Chelsea.’
‘I remember,’ said Eric, smiling. Then the smile disappeared. ‘I’m very sorry about Lenka. You were there when it happened, I hear?’
Chris sighed. ‘That’s right. I still dream about it at night. I don’t think I’ll forget about it for a long time.’ Involuntarily he looked down at his hands. Eric noticed.
‘Messy, was it?’
Chris nodded. For some reason, at that moment, he almost fell apart. He had spent so long telling people about Lenka in as dispassionate a way as he could, that he had almost succeeded in persuading himself that he hadn’t really been there. But now, with Eric, he knew he had, and it all rushed back at him. He felt his eyes sting.
He swallowed. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said.
‘That’s OK,’ said Eric softly. ‘I can’t imagine what it was like.’
‘It’s not an experience I’d want to repeat,’ said Chris. ‘How did you hear about it?’
‘It’s all over Bloomfield Weiss. Did they catch the guy who did it?’
‘Apparently not. The police questioned someone in Prague last week, but they had to let him go. I’m not sure whether they’ve got any other leads.’
‘Lenka was an extraordinary woman,’ Eric said. ‘I’ll never forget her on the training programme. She added something, don’t you think? Colour. Spontaneity. Spirit. Do you remember when she took on Waldern, after he’d bullied that Italian woman, what was her name?’
‘Carla. Yes, I remember.’
‘First Alex and now Lenka.’ Eric shuddered.
‘Speaking of Alex,’ Chris said. ‘He had a brother, didn’t he? Do you remember his name?’
‘As a matter of fact I do. Marcus.’
‘I thought so!’ said Chris in triumph.
‘In fact, he tried to get in touch with me in New York a few weeks ago. He said he wanted to talk to me about Alex’s death. I wouldn’t see him. He was pretty upset about it, according to my assistant, but I thought it would be hard to talk to him without giving anything away.’
‘That was probably wise,’ said Chris.
‘Have you spoken to him?’
‘No, but Lenka did.’ Chris told Eric all about Lenka’s meeting with Marcus, and her subsequent e-mails to him.
‘God,’ said Eric. ‘Do you know what she said? Do you think she told him what really happened?’
‘I don’t know,’ said Chris. ‘But if she didn’t, it certainly sounds as though she meant to.’
‘That could be awkward if he goes to the police.’
‘I know,’ said Chris. He was struck by an unpleasant thought. ‘Christ, what will we do if the police ask questions?’
Eric thought for a second. ‘If the police ask, don’t say anything. It was a US crime, so it will be American jurisdiction. I don’t know how it is in this country, but in the States they can’t force you to incriminate yourself. In fact, better yet, give me a call, and I’ll get you a good American lawyer. You’d better tell Ian and Duncan that as well.’
‘And Megan,’ said Chris.
‘Megan?’ said Eric in surprise. ‘Have you seen Megan?’
‘Yes. She came to our office last week. She was supposed to be staying with Lenka. They’d become good friends, apparently.’
‘Really?’ said Eric. ‘How is she? I always liked that woman, you know.’
‘I think she liked you too,’ said Chris.
‘Yes, well.’ For a moment Eric looked uncharacteristically flustered. ‘Actually, I haven’t seen her for years. What’s she doing now?’
‘She’s studying medieval history at the University of Chicago. She’s spending the next six months at Cambridge researching her dissertation for her PhD, I think.’
‘Good. Well, say hi to her from me if you see her again.’
‘I will.’
Eric frowned. ‘I think we did the right thing about Alex. I mean, Duncan would have been prosecuted, I’m sure, and that would have been wrong. Provided we all stick together and don’t admit to anything, we’ll be OK. It’s a long time ago.’
‘I think we did the right thing, too. Besides, we don’t know what Lenka said to Marcus, let alone how he’ll react to it. I’m going to the States next week and I’d like to get in touch with him. Do you have his phone number, or address or anything? I’ve only got his e-mail address.’
‘I don’t know,’ said Eric. ‘I doubt it. I can check when I get back to New York, if you like. But I suspect my assistant jotted his number down on a scrap of paper and threw it away when I told her I didn’t want to talk to him. He shouldn’t be too difficult to find, though. Marcus Lubron can’t be a common name.’
‘Did you ever meet him when Alex was alive?’
‘No. If you remember, he was travelling. Skiing in the winter, and sailing in the summer, I think. He didn’t even come back for Alex’s funeral. I don’t think Alex’s mother could get hold of him in time. By the way, did you know she died a month later?’
‘No, I didn’t. I do remember she was awfully ill.’
‘Poor Alex.’
They both drank in silence.
‘Anyway, how’s your fund doing?’ Eric asked. ‘What’s it called again? Carpathian?’
‘That’s right. We had a solid start. Twenty-nine per cent return in the first nine months.’
Eric raised his eyebrows. ‘That’s more than solid. That’s damn good.’
Chris smiled. He lapped up the praise. Eric was one of the few people he wanted to impress, and he was proud of what he and Lenka had achieved.
‘But we’ve run into one or two problems since Lenka died.’
‘Oh.’
‘Do you remember Rudy Moss?’
‘Rudy Moss. I certainly do. The fat guy with the pointy nose. Didn’t he leave Bloomfield Weiss a few years ago?’
‘Yeah. He joined Amalgamated Veterans Life. Where he invested in our fund. Until last week. He said he’d take his money out now Lenka was gone.’
‘No? I always knew he was a jerk.’
‘He is,’ Chris confirmed. ‘The problem is the market’s down and Lenka took a big position in a Bloomfield Weiss deal that turns out to be a dog.’
‘Let me guess... Eureka Telecom?’
‘That’s the one. You didn’t have anything to do with that deal, did you?’ asked Chris.
‘Oh, no. It’s my group, though. I do international telecoms M&A. It’s a hot area. But Eureka Telecom is a bit small for me.’