Murder at the Opera - Margaret Truman [78]
“She didn’t—I didn’t—I wasn’t dumped
“I hear different
“Oh, man, I can see where you’re going with this,” Warren said. “For your information, I was the one who broke off the relationship, not Charise
“Because she was seeing the Arab guy behind your back?”
Warren seemed to be searching for something intelligent to say. Failing, he left the room, causing Pawkins to grin. He’d gotten to him, and he had no doubt that there had been bad blood between the pianist and Charise over the breakup of their romance. Motive to kill her? You bet. Hell hath no fury like a piano player scorned.
He called Carl Berry’s office at MPD and was told the detective was unavailable. “Tell him Ray Pawkins called and was hoping to have lunch with him. I’ll try again later.”
• • •
Mac Smith had arisen early in order to catch up on paperwork, professional and personal. Annabel had gone off to yet another meeting of the Opera Ball committee—her life was consumed by meetings these days. He was hard at work in his study at eight that morning when the phone rang.
“Mr. Smith?”
“Yes
“My name is Marc Josephson, sir. We met a couple years ago when you and your lovely wife were in London. Lord Battenbrook introduced us
“Of course, Mr. Josephson. What a pleasant surprise hearing from you. I trust you are well
“Quite well, thank you. You and Mrs. Smith?”
“Busy, happy, and healthy
“Splendid. I hope I’m not disturbing you
“Just shuffling papers around,” Smith said, laughing. “The computer age was supposed to create a paperless society. Quite the opposite has occurred
“Yes. I’m calling from London, Mr. Smith, at the airport, actually. I’m about to board a plane for Washington
“Oh? Please, call me Mac
“All right. I apologize for this last-minute call, but my trip is last-minute, I’m afraid. I was hoping to get together with you when I arrive
“Annabel and I would enjoy seeing you again. How long will you be staying?”
“Only a few days. Let me be direct. I need legal counsel
“You do realize that I no longer practice law,” Mac said. “I teach it
“Oh, yes, I’m quite aware of that. You discussed your change in careers when we met. Frankly, I need to speak with someone with a knowledge of your laws, not necessarily to engage an attorney. Lord Battenbrook spoke so highly of you and—”
“Aside from the pleasure of seeing you again, I’d be more than happy to provide answers to your questions, provided I know the answers
“I can’t ask more than that. Would it be possible to see you this evening?”
“This evening? I—”
“I realize that this is terribly short notice, but I would sincerely appreciate getting together with you at the earliest possible moment
“Mind telling me what this is about, this legal question you have?”
“I’d prefer to not discuss it on the phone, but I will say that it involves the murder of a friend and colleague a number of years ago
“A murder?”
“Yes, in Washington. His name was Aaron Musinski
After a moment of silence, Mac said, “I see
“I only have a few minutes before my plane leaves,” Josephson said. “I’ll be staying at the Watergate. My flight is due into Washington at four o’clock your time. If I could possibly buy you dinner tonight, I would be most appreciative. Oh, and please don’t mention to anyone that I am making this trip
“All right,” Mac said.
“Thank you, Mac. You must excuse me. They’ve announced my flight. I look forward to hearing from you this evening
Mac hit the “Off” button on his cordless phone, lowered it into its charging cradle, and sat quietly for a few minutes, reflecting on the conversation that had just taken place. He tried to recall what he’d read on the material about the Musinski case that Annabel had pulled up from the Internet. Had a Marc Josephson been mentioned? He didn’t think so. Josephson had termed Musinski a friend and colleague. A colleague in what? Oh, yes, Josephson had been introduced to him and Annabel in London as the owner of a shop specializing in rare manuscripts and art. They’d visited his Mayfair shop two years ago, four