Garden of Lies Read Online Free PDF Page A

unless he, personally, escorts her.”
    â€œSo, we’re back to Lord Fulbrook as our main suspect. Do you think Anne had an affair with him?”
    â€œI think it’s possible,” Ursula said. “If that was the case, I doubt very much that she was passionately in love with him. I don’t think Anne would have trusted any man with her heart. But she had her financial future to consider.”
    â€œShe might have found his money interesting.”
    Ursula sighed. “That is a rather blunt way of putting it, sir, but the answer is, yes. Perhaps she became too demanding. Or perhaps she said or did something to set off Fulbrook’s temper.”
    â€œIf that was the case, he would have been likely to attack her physically, probably in a fit of rage. You said there was no evidence that she was assaulted.”
    â€œNo. None.”
    There was another short silence. After a time Slater stirred.
    â€œYou do realize that if you set out to prove that Fulbrook killed Anne Clifton you might very likely put your own life in danger,” Slater said.
    â€œI just want to know the truth.”
    â€œThere is still the strong likelihood that she suffered a heart attack or a stroke,” Slater said.
    â€œI know. If my inquiries lead nowhere I will accept that conclusion.”
    â€œWhat else can you tell me about Anne Clifton?”
    â€œWell, among other things she was a very modern woman.”
    â€œI believe that
modern
is another euphemism, is it not?”
    Anger flashed through Ursula. “Anne was a woman of high spirits. She was charming, bold, daring, and she was determined to enjoy life to the hilt. In short, sir, if she had been a man, people would have admired her.”
    â€œYou admired her.”
    â€œYes, I did,” Ursula said. She composed herself. “She was my friend as well as an employee.”
    â€œI see. Go on.”
    â€œThere is not much more to say. I believe that someone in the Fulbrook household, probably Lord Fulbrook, is responsible for Anne’s death. I intend to find out if my suspicions are correct. And now, if you will excuse me, I must be on my way. I assured Lady Fulbrook that I would send a new secretary to her at the earliest possible moment. I need to get things in order at the agency before I take up my duties.”
    Slater frowned. “Lady Fulbrook?”
    â€œAnne’s client. I just explained—”
    â€œYes, I know what you said. Damnation, you intend to take Miss Clifton’s place as Lady Fulbrook’s secretary.”
    â€œI start tomorrow afternoon. I assured Lady Fulbrook that the transition would be seamless and that I would arrive at her house in Mapstone Square promptly at one-thirty, just as Anne did.”
    Slater walked across the carpet and came to a halt directly in front of Ursula.
    â€œIf you are correct in your suspicions,” he said, “what you are planning is potentially dangerous.”
    His soft tone rattled her nerves. Instinctively she took a step back, trying to put a little more distance between them. He was no longer simply annoyed or reluctantly curious. He was in his own, subtle way angry.
At me,
she thought, bemused.
    â€œDon’t worry, Mr. Roxton,” she said hastily. “I’m sure you can find another secretary to help you catalog your collection. I will be happy to send you someone else from my agency to fill in while I’m gone.”
    â€œI am not concerned with finding another secretary, Mrs. Kern, I am concerned about your safety.”
    â€œOh, I see.”
    He was not furious because she was abandoning his cataloging project, she thought. He was simply alarmed that she might be taking a risk. It had been so long since anyone had been worried about her welfare that she was flummoxed for a moment. The realization warmed her somewhere deep inside. She smiled.
    â€œIt is very thoughtful of you to be concerned,” she said. “Truly, I do