Chapter Eight

"The Rich Only Get Richer"

So far, so good. I had no trouble with the guard at the gate. The pair of Dobermans I'd encountered were intimidating, yet their handler hadn't released them. My trousers were safe for the time being.

Mr. Alpati greeted me in the foyer of his multi-level home. He seemed to favor modern décor, which bordered on tacky to me, but what did I know about design? Painted plaster suited me just fine.

"The great Detective Noble, I presume," he addressed me, which was probably meant as a compliment, although I detected a hint of sarcasm. Maybe I was reading more into it than I should. "I've heard a lot about you."

"And I've heard a lot about you, sir," I replied, keeping my hands clasped in front of me. The old man hadn't offered his, and I wasn't about to be the first.

"With the rags these days, I'm afraid one mustn't judge another by what one reads. A filthy lot, the entirety of them. Come, join me in the parlor."

I followed the gentleman through a set of tall mahogany doors and was offered a seat on a green leather sofa - adding further proof to my belief that expensive didn't always mean comfortable.

"What brings you to my neighborhood, young man?"

He had a kind face and a receding hairline that revealed an abundance of gray hair. If I were to take a guess, I'd say he was in his late 60s. Judging by the ruby red smoking jacket he wore over a tailored suit, I'd also venture to say he enjoyed fine tobacco. Several stubs of a Cuban variety were in the marble ashtray on the table. I also noticed several awards on the expansive mantelpiece. Some had to do with his business, while others were awarded for humanitarian efforts. I recalled reading about his substantial donations to aid displaced citizens following the war. However, when it came to such things, I could never be certain there wasn't an ulterior motive behind it. What could be viewed as honest concern was also tax-deductible or used as a publicity stunt.

"I promise not to take up too much of your time," I began, settling my attention on a pair of blue eyes that seemed to sit too close together. He'd make a better politician than designer based on his looks. "But I'd like to speak with you in regards to Miss Ami Berrie. I believe she's an employee of yours."

"Yes, of course," Mr. Alpati grinned knowingly before taking a seat in a high-back golden chair with intricately detailed armrests and clawed feet. "I believe she mentioned hiring someone from your agency to figure out this mess she's gotten herself into. Such a shame. Miss Boone was also a highly paid employee of mine as well and much sought after. She will truly be missed in the industry."

"Honestly, what I'd like to talk about is related to Miss Berrie's case, although somewhat indirectly. I'd like to discuss her ex-boyfriend: Nick Walker. I believe you know him quite well."

For a fraction of a second, I saw a flash of emotion; most likely surprise, although it could also have been anger. It quickly disappeared, however, and was replaced by another oily grin. "Ah, yes. My son. I do not deny the relation. If this is something regarding his recent personal life, I'm rather ashamed to admit I can be of little help. We don't see much of one another these days."

"And yet you visited him at his work not too long ago and got into an argument with him," I continued, ignoring the fact he seemed unwilling to cooperate. "What was that about?"

Again with the reluctant and forced grin. It was the kind that gave you goosebumps. What it told me was that Mr. Alpati was hiding something and was doing his best to keep that something hidden.

"I do not condone my son's current lifestyle if you must know. He came from wealth and now lives in poverty and it's of his own choosing. I don't understand that. I offered him the world and he refused my gift. I was disappointed and that's all there is to it."

"I see," I replied, eyeing a silver bowl filled with mints. "May I?" I asked while taking one.

"Of course, be my guest."

I intentionally took my time unwrapping the candy and made as much noise as I possibly could. I had a suspicion that Mr. Alpati lacked several virtues; patience being one of them. Before he could sic the dogs onto me, I popped the sweet into my mouth and started clattering it around inside, bouncing it back and forth between teeth.

"You do realize that Nick is the police's number one suspect in the murder of Miss Boone," I informed him although I had no doubt Mr. Alpati knew everything that went on in this city; including the happenings in police headquarters.

"My son may be many things, but he is no murderer," Alpati insisted before nodding his head in the direction of the foyer. I heard the doors behind me close gently. Apparently, what was being discussed was not for the house staff's listening ears and wagging tongues.

"I warned him about Miss Berrie and he would not listen to me."

"That's interesting to hear," I shot back, "since Nick informed me that you cared about her a great deal. His exact words were 'Dad loves Ami,' as a matter of fact."

"Oh, I do, which is why I posted her bail. Don't get me wrong," Alpati quickly confirmed. "It's just that she comes from a small place and in my line of work, once a girl has aged and is no longer worth my time, they tend to return to their place of origin. Those who are small think small."

That seemed rather coldhearted, and yet he continued as if he'd said nothing wrong.

"She may work for me but is truly unworthy of my son's affections. She has no higher education, comes from a middle-class family, and lacks any sort of influential connections. Everything she possesses has been provided by me. I did not raise my son to lower himself in such a fashion."

Wow. Just wow. No wonder Nick hated this man! And yet, snobbery and greed did not constitute murder. I needed something else to go on. It was time to take more drastic measures.

"Is that why you tried to have her killed?" I asked. Sometimes, a shocking question leads to an equally shocking reply. Perhaps it was time I made Mr. Alpati squirm in his golden seat.

Obviously stunned by the accusation, the older man stood as quickly as his joints would allow. I stayed where I was, although I could easily pretend to feel hot dog breath against the back of my neck.

"I do not allow this type of tomfoolery in my home young man, and I must ask you to leave."

"Just one more thing," I insisted while still seated. "Were you afraid she'd get too close? Perhaps discover some of your dirty little secrets? This much wealth tends to corrupt the incorruptible. I've seen it happen many times in my line of work. Greed often begets greed."

"Gunther!"

I assumed Alpati had just called for one of his guards. However, I wasn't finished aggravating the man and hurried on before I was literally thrown out on my ass.

"Ami Berrie seems to be an intelligent young woman of high morals, and I can't see her putting up with anything unlawful. It wouldn't have been long before she confronted you about a few of your questionable business dealings. Or maybe she would've taken her suspicions straight to the police. But that would've been okay since you own the police. However, it was still a risk, wasn't it? So, why did you try and have her killed? I'd honestly like to know."

A large and powerful hand abruptly gripped my arm.

"Get this man out of my sight," Alpati hissed before I was literally dragged from the room.

"I'm not finished with my interview, Mr. Alpati!" I yelled back to him. "I'm going to keep digging and I have the feeling when I get deep enough, I'm going to uncover something vile!"

I managed to keep my footing until we reached the stone steps outside the house. However, this was nothing new to me and I rolled when I hit the ground, lessening the force of the impact although it still hurt like hell.

"Don't come back!" Gunther warned me with a heavy Italian accent. "Or I will have to use more forceful measures."

He indicated the bulge in his jacket pocket, which I assumed was a magnum at least. I held up my hands in surrender.

"I'm going, I'm going," I told him rising to my feet and dusting myself off. At least the dogs were still tied up.

I hurried to Iris who was still waiting patiently for me and told her to drive.

"How did it go?" she asked as soon as we'd left the area. I was surveilling the road behind us, just to be safe. I wouldn't put it past someone as powerful as Mr. Alpati, to put a tail on us.

"Keep driving," I insisted.

"Did you find out anything?" she continued, at a higher rate of speed than I'd ever witnessed her drive before. When she took the corner onto Main, the tires even squealed.

"You can slow down now," I suggested, turning back to face the front. "We're safe."

"How was I supposed to know that?" Iris replied excitedly. "You had that look on your face."

"What look?" I asked. I hadn't realized I had a certain look for times like these.

"The look that says all hell is about to break loose," she informed me. "Was it worth it?"

"I think so," I confirmed. "I might not have hit the nail on the head, but I definitely came close to it."

"Jeepers, Ben. I'd hate to see what would happen if your aim was better."

I chuckled nervously. "Me too." I agreed.