The call from Susan Webster had confirmed Aaron Flynn’s worst fears. Before he died, Kaidanov had told Daniel Ames that his study was a fraud. But Flynn didn’t know if Ames could prove the study was a hoax. Without proof, all Geller would have was the hearsay testimony of a man charged with murder and Flynn was certain he could still force a settlement. “Alice Cummings is on line two,” Aaron Flynn’s receptionist announced. Flynn debated not taking the call for a moment, but little Patrick was worth a bundle if everything worked out. “Good afternoon, Alice,” Flynn said in his heartiest voice.
“How’s my boy?” “He had a rough night.” “I’m so sorry. What can I do for you?” “I hope I’m not interrupting, but it’s been bothering me since your associate left. He never said if you needed me to sign anything about the phone call. I can come down anytime.” “The phone call?” “From Mr. Arnold.” Flynn’s eyes shut reflexively and a sick feeling spread through his gut. “Your associate said a lawyer is claiming that you never talked with him, but I remember it very clearly. Did you want me to sign an affidavit?” “What was this associate’s name, Alice?” “You know, I can’t remember. I’m not certain he even told me. But you introduced us. It was several weeks ago. I wheeled Patrick into the lobby in his stroller and you brought him over to meet us.” Flynn felt a flash of fear. “Ah, yes,” he said.
“Well, I appreciate your call, but I won’t need you to sign anything.
The matter has been resolved. Thank you for calling, though. Give Patrick a kiss for me,” Flynn said as he hung up.
“Everything is falling apart,” Aaron Flynn said as soon as he was through the front door. A look of panic was etched on his face. “Ames found the client who was with me when Gene called.” “How did he do that?” “How the fuck should I know? He just did and she remembers Gene’s call. She just phoned me. She wanted to know if I needed her to sign an affidavit that could be used as evidence. Jesus Christ!”
“You’ve got to calm down so we can think this out.” “There’s nothing to think about. If that homicide detective, Brewster, finds out I lied about Gene’s call, we’re dead.” “Who is the client?” “Alice Cummings, the mother of one of the Insufort brats.” “Where does she live?” “I don’t know offhand.” “But it’s in your file?” “I can get it.” “We have to kill her.” “What?” “We have to kill her and Ames and Ross.” “You’re insane.” Flynn felt a hand snake through his hair. Then warm lips brushed his and a hand stroked his crotch. It took all of his willpower, but he broke away and headed for the couch. Flynn heard a cruel laugh behind him. “You didn’t mind when I took care of Briggs, Kaidanov, and Randall. Why are you so squeamish now?” “Alice is…
She’s just this woman.” “No, Aaron, she’s not just some woman. The bitch is a witness who can put both of us on death row, not to mention rob us of millions we have worked very hard to earn.” A hand strayed to his zipper. “I’ll kill them to protect you-to protect us-so we can be together.” A finger brushed the tip of his penis, emphasizing the point. “You can’t do this again,” Flynn protested weakly. “We can do anything.” Flynn was having trouble thinking. There were warm lips on his, fingers stroking his nipples, and a hand as soft as silk inside his fly. “If it bothers you, I’ll take care of Cummings while you take care of Ames and Ross.” Flynn’s eyes went wide. “I can’t. I’ve never killed anyone before.” “It’s easy, baby,” he heard as his body moved against its will to the rhythm set by the fingertips, tongue, and lips that were everywhere at once. “I’ll tell you how to do it. Besides, we don’t have a choice. The cops don’t know about Cummings yet. If they did, she wouldn’t have called you. That means that Ross and Ames haven’t told them yet. We’ve got a window of opportunity here, but we’ve got to move, and I can’t be in two places at once.” Flynn wanted to protest, but he was having trouble thinking. One part of his brain knew that someone who killed so easily could kill him, too, but the part of Flynn’s brain that craved sex whispered that he was safe because only he could collect the millions from the Insufort settlement. And his partner had sworn they would be together after he’d banked his attorney’s fee, living on a beach in an exotic country with servants and hot sex whenever he wanted it. That’s what he’d been told and he wanted to believe-had to believe to rationalize the things that had been done and would be done for the millions they craved. • • • Juan Fulano smiled as he pulled down the binoculars. He’d gotten a very good look at the person Flynn was meeting before the front door closed. Martin would be pleased. Fulano took out his phone and made a long-distance call to Desert Grove, Arizona.