Valley of Obsessions by Betty Gordon

Author:Betty Gordon [Gordon, Betty]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery
Publisher: L&L Dreamspell
Published: 2011-03-11T00:00:00+00:00

SEVENTEEN

As predicted, Mike was in the coffee shop the next morning dispatching his usual charm. After introductions, Mike presented yet another aspect of his personality to Paul. He came across as a business man traveling in Egypt with little time for romance unless he found someone special and he freely admitted Desiree Roberts was special.

Paul saw Lapuccio much the same as Vicki—easy to read on one level, but with more layers than the women were seeing. Sandy’s description of Lapuccio on board ship and her description of him in Cairo didn’t jive. Paul understood that Sandy was impressed when Mike asked Mankabh, the husband of one of the Cairene couples, for permission to speak to Desiree the first time they met on board the Nefriti. He understood too her disappointment when his reserve melted once he was in Cairo. Mike gave Desiree a lot of attention, but his grief didn’t appear to extend past the night she was killed.

Lapuccio didn’t hesitate to talk about Amanda Prichard, describing her in colorful language. At least, they found out she was still in Cairo.

Once they were at a table at the opposite end of the coffee shop, they compared notes.

Vicki began. “A smooth talker, isn’t he?”

“Yes and no.”

“What do you mean?”

Paul chuckled. “My darlin’ sweetness, you and Sandy only see his good looks and glib tongue, not to mention the lovelies he surrounds himself with.”

“Hold on a damn minute, Mr. Barlow. I’m not some dim-witted chick who can’t see past good looks and charm.”

“I didn’t say that. Don’t get defensive on me. What I’m trying to say, without much success, is that men see other men differently than women. There’s more to Lapuccio than meets the eye. Our crafty little assistant in Houston needs to dig some more into his background.”

“I thought you said Janie didn’t find anything.”

“She didn’t, but there has to be more. I’ll get her on it as well as Richard Daniels. I haven’t met him yet, but I know from discussing this case with you, we have to go deeper there too.”

Vicki leaned back from the table. “I’m stuffed. One more cup of coffee, then you track down Amanda, I’ll locate Femi, and head to the hospital.”

“Little early, isn’t it?”

Vicki smiled. “You know what they say, ‘the early bird gets the worm,’ and I want that worm.”

“Whoever the hell ‘they’ is. All right, I’ll sign the check and you round up Femi.”

Paul watched Vicki hurry to the lobby. Lapuccio caught his arm. “Hold on, Mr. Barlow.”

“Too formal. Make it Paul right after you let go of my arm.”

“You got it. May I have a few words privately?”

Paul glanced toward the front desk. “I’ve got to catch up with Vicki, but if you keep it short, go ahead.”

The men pushed the chairs away from the table. Mike pushed his point. “I don’t know you and you don’t know me, so I’ll get right to the point. Apparently, Vicki and Sandy think I’m some dark character who meant Desiree harm right from the beginning.

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