Four Weddings and an Alien by Fiona Roarke

Author:Fiona Roarke
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Nickel Road Publishing
Published: 2020-05-19T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

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Two days later – Ichor-Delta

Raphael strolled into Claudia’s home after the butler opened the door and led him deeper into what he considered enemy territory. The place hadn’t changed much in the years he’d been away. Claudia had inherited the house after her parents died. She had no other siblings vying for it.

Francine, Victor, Elda and Raphael returned to Ichor-Delta on a privately acquired transport that only recorded three of the four of them on the official logs.

For a steep price, Victor had been stowed in a specially constructed place aimed at those seeking hidden transportation. They went their separate ways once the ship landed the day before, planning to meet after his appointment with Claudia.

Raphael made a show of being in public without Francine to discover who might come looking for him. A message arrived promptly at his hotel room.

Claudia was the first to make contact, asking for a meeting at her house to discuss a special offer. The four conspirators further refined their plan, given the message and location of the meeting at Claudia’s home.

“Luther,” she said the moment he entered the greeting room. Her tone was polite, if not exuberant. He expected her to be a little more excited to see him after all this time.

“I go by Raphael now,” he said without thinking.

Her brow crinkled. “Raphael?”

“Yes. My second name.”

“I see. Well, whatever you like.” She picked up a delicate cup, took a sip and returned it to her side table. “Would you like a cup of crystal liquor?” she asked. “A cookie?” She pointed to a decorative plate covered with bite-sized treats.

“No, thanks. I’m not hungry. Let’s get to it, shall we?”

“Fine.” Undaunted, Claudia pivoted easily. “I called you here today to make you a lucrative offer.”

“You called me here today because you think I know where Victor Campion is, and until he’s caught and put away, you can’t make a claim to his title.”

“Always right to the point. I like that about you, Luth—I mean, Raphael.” Her gaze fastened on his face. “The years have been kind you. Surprising, given what you do for a living.”

Raphael smiled. “You haven’t aged a day since the last time I saw you.” He knew she valued flattery and his observation was sincere. She’d obviously spent a goodly amount to look younger than her years.

Her head cocked to one side as if she didn’t expect him to be civil. “Thank you.”

Raphael glanced around the room and noticed that things looked worn, for lack of a better word. Every surface was tidy and clean, but the furniture was not new, as he would have expected. Did she have financial issues? Was that why she’d concocted this plan to get rid of Victor?

“What’s your offer, Claudia?”

“I’d like you to find Victor and turn him in to the authorities. I believe you have the best chance of making that happen.”

“Victor is my best friend. Why would I ever do that?”

“Because once he’s been captured and convicted for the murder of his poor father, I’m in line to inherit the title, of course.

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