More Than a Mission - Caridad Pineiro [81]
“And easy enough to confirm if you can get a sample. Some more hair, preferably with the root or some skin. Saliva or some other body fluid,” Xander said calmly.
Elizabeth had been listening intently and almost failed to notice that the duke had now turned his attention to her and Aidan. When he spoke, it was directed to them.
“I understand that the Sparrow identified a man named Donovan as the one who hired her to eliminate Reginald.”
Aidan quickly added, “We also suspect that Donovan was the one who shot the Sparrow.”
Lord Southgate paced back and forth for a second before advising, “Although Nikolas served in the military, I find it hard to believe that he could locate and kill someone that various international agencies have been unsuccessfully chasing for years.”
“He had information the Sparrow wanted. That might have made her vulnerable,” Aidan offered and Elizabeth chimed in with, “Donovan told my sister that he possessed information on who murdered our parents.”
Again Southgate paused to digest that statement. Finally he asked, “And Reginald was somehow connected to their murder?
“Apparently, Reginald was using cocaine he purchased from the men responsible for the murders. I know killing him was wrong, but Reginald and those men should have been punished for what they did,” she urged.
The duke shocked her by agreeing. “Punishment delayed is punishment denied. Nevertheless, Donovan’s reasons for Reginald’s murder would seem to be for personal gain. Highly unlike the Nikolas Donovan I know.”
“I would suggest that we track him down and get not only the sample, but question him about his whereabouts the last few days. We could also do a GSR test to confirm whether he’s fired a weapon recently,” Aidan suggested.
“Sounds like a plan, but…Nikolas and I know each other. Quite well, actually.”
“We can provide backup, Your Grace, if I understand that what you’d like to do is approach him first,” Lazlo offered.
Lord Southgate ratified that was his intent with a regal motion of his head. “That’s exactly what I’d like to do.”
“Lucia and I will go along, Mr. Lazlo. Agent Spaulding needs to keep an eye on Ms. Moore until we ascertain whether she’s still in danger,” Walker indicated and rose from his chair.
After a flurry of goodbyes, only Aidan and Elizabeth remained, standing before each other awkwardly. “I guess I should walk you back to the cottage. Make sure the surveillance and other things are still intact so I can keep an eye on you.”
“You know that’s really not necessary. The watching. Once Lord Southgate talks to Donovan—”
“I understand, Lizzy. I don’t have to be the one watching.” With those words, he stepped away and made a call. He was speaking too low for her to hear. When he returned, however, he said, “I’ve arranged for a detail to watch your grounds. This way you can try and get things back to normal.”
Elizabeth couldn’t imagine things being normal. At least not for awhile. First she had to call family and friends, tell them about Dani’s death. After that, she’d arrange for a memorial until the Lazlo Group released her body and after that…maybe after that…
Who was she kidding? Even after that things wouldn’t be normal. Her sister was dead and Aidan…
Aidan would be gone. “I need to go. I’ve got a lot to handle,” she said.
He walked with her all the way back to her cottage. As they neared her home, the door opened and Nat, Kate and Samantha stepped out.
“I called them earlier,” he said. “Figured you could use the support.”
Tears came to her eyes at this thoughtfulness. “Thank you.”
She faced him and swiped at the tears. “I guess this is…goodbye.”
Aidan stuffed his fingertips into his jeans pockets. A familiar pose. One which dragged a smile to her face despite the sadness of the moment.
He rocked back and forth on his heels for a second and then finally said, “I’ll be around for a little while. If you need me.”
“Right. Take care of yourself, Aidan,” she said and whirled, hurried from him and toward the women