Double Bluff by Claire McNab
Author:Claire McNab [McNab, Claire]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781594935824
Publisher: Bella Books
Published: 2017-08-02T16:00:00+00:00
* * *
Tala Orlandoâs funeral was held at the fashionable church she had attended sporadically. The crowds spilled over into the street, competing with television crews and a gaggle of reporters for space. There was a roped corridor for those going to the service, but they ran the gauntlet of curious eyes and shouted questions.
Inside, the church was packed with Tala Orlandoâs friends, colleagues, and a stellar selection of media management and talent. There was a smattering of politicians, including the Federal Minister for Communications, who, aware an election wasnât far off, had managed to get a pithy sound bite in before entering the building.
Permission had been given for the service to be videotaped, and the crew that would give a feed to all the other stations had set their equipment up at the back of the church, their casual jeans in strong contrast to the clothing of most of the mourners.
Bourke and Carol had arrived early, but not soon enough to avoid the ubiquitous media. âInspector Ashton! Was it murder?â Ignoring the microphones shoved in front of her, Carol had walked quickly into the church with Bourke. The casket was richly shining dark wood bearing a simple spray of red roses. Banks of flowers crowded the sanctuary, and a robed choirmaster was putting music folders into the choir stalls. There was a discreet hum of conversation, almost drowned out by suitably solemn organ music.
The pews were only now beginning to fill, so she and Bourke took a seat near the front, directly behind the family group. Hayden sat next to the main aisle and beside him was Robynne, head bent. On her other side Joshua looked around with cool interest, and next to him Carol recognized the elderly, perfectly turned out couple as Rex and Ruby Courtold.
Bourke had been inspecting the congregation. âTala seems to have known everyone in town.â
Carol kept her voice low. âA lot of people owed her favors, and vice versa. And itâs clear she made a lot of enemies. She also moved in on a couple of smaller competitors and swallowed them whole. Thereâll be people here who are pleased to attend her funeral.â
In front of them Robynne Orlando surged to her feet. âWhat are you doing here?â She swayed against her brother-in-law, who had also risen.
Nevile Carson said mildly, âI thought I should sit with the family. Tala was my sister-in-law.â
The manâs matter-of-fact tone seemed to incense Hayden. His face flushed, he ground out, âHave some decency and get out.â Then, becoming aware that the scene was exciting interest, not only in the other mourners, but also with the camera crew, he dropped his voice to say, âI donât care what you do, but you canât sit with us.â
Carson looked past him to his ex-wife. âMy condolences, Robynne.â He went to the other side of the aisle and squeezed in at the end of a pew.
Robynne sank down. âI canât cope, Hayden. I canât cope.â Her nephew looked at her with clinical interest as Hayden murmured something calming.
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