you donât just grunt then. Tell me, who do you think did it?â
âLook, weâd better get back downstairs. Weâre expecting another call.â
âThere wonât be many more ransom calls.â
âWhat about Mrs Sinclair?â
âThere must be somebody on the inside. Who do you think it is?
âWhat?â Best folded his arms and tensed his face muscles. He looked uncomfortable.
âHas Sinclair fired anyone in the last six months?â
âProbably, he employs people all over the world.â
âBut has anyone really close to him, like someone in his innermost circle, been fired or left recently? Do you know anyone with a massive grudge against him?â
âYou think all this is over a grudge?â
âSinclairâs no saint. I assume he has enemies.â
âWhat? These people are after ransom money.â
âTell me what you really think about him.â
âWhatâs wrong with you?â
âCome on, man, I wonât tell anyone.â
âIâm not comfortable talking like this.â
âDonât you want to help find Mrs Sinclair?â
âOf course I do.â
âOkay, good. Letâs go and get some fresh air in the park, shall we?â
Best got up and turned. As he headed for the door, Archer yanked the spike out while the lights were still flashing, unsure if he had managed to download anything useful.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
In less than five minutes Archer and Best were walking under gently rustling autumn trees in Hyde Park. The grass was bright green and a sea of sulphur, burnt orange and crimson leaves popped under the clear blue sky. Archer thought it was a hundred times better than any of the random paint splashes heâd seen in Cavendishâs law office. Dried leaves and gravel crunched underfoot as they headed down the rolling footpath towards the Serpentine.
âItâs just like New England in the fall, only better,â Archer said, casually trying to draw Best in like a devious salesman.
âIt is nice this time of year,â Best answered awkwardly, as if he shouldnât be there.
âSo who do you think the inside man is?â
âI donât know.â
Best looked away. He was avoiding eye contact on purpose. He was lying.
âIt has to be someone who knows about Sinclairâs access to cash and diamonds.â
âBut he has hundreds of business associates.â
âAnd employees.â
âNo chance, theyâd be too afraid.â
âSo who has the biggest grudge against him?â
âThere could be several people that fit the bill, but what exactly are you looking for?â
âJust think about it. Who is the most likely person to do this?â
They continued to walk in silence along the northern edge of the Serpentine as Best gazed ahead with the occasional frown as if thinking too hard would hurt his head. Archer kept quiet. He knew that it would eventually force Best to speak up. They walked side by side on the gently winding path, watching the ducks, geese and swans scavenge for crumbs.
Despite the cool wind, the blue sky had attracted many visitors to the capitalâs largest park. Archer waited patiently for a response as the October sunshine warmed his face.
âStuart Hunter has the biggest grudge. I suppose.â
âWhoâs he?â
âOld business associate.â
âWhere is he now?â
âNobody knows.â
They turned left and continued walking south over the road bridge towards the Serpentine Gallery.
âHe sold his business and went into hiding,â Best said, his voice quivering nervously.
âBut why does Hunter have a grudge?â
âBecause he thinks he was shafted by Mr Sinclair.â
âWhy?â
âListen, Archer, I look after Mr Sinclairâs safety, he doesnât come to me for business advice. If you want to know about Hunter, ask Mr Sinclair.â
âHow
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