Marco grabbed the rail with both hands and leaned back, looking in each direction to ensure no one was within earshot.
“I was hoping I wouldn’t have to get into everything with you, but I can see now how you might need to know. However, I hope you’ll use the utmost discretion with what I am about to tell you.”
“If it concerns Neil’s wealth or his lack of it, trust me, I already know. I’ve done my homework.” I wasn’t about to go any further and tell Marco that I suspected Neil Webster might be broke or that he was a fraud hiding behind the illusion of his name and purported wealth. “I knew before I got on this ship that Neil’s uncle had cut Neil off and left him near penniless once he left college.”
“Not quite penniless, but certainly without the fortune he should have inherited. I worked for Neil’s father. I was the family accountant. After Neil’s parents died, I continued to handle what was left of Neil’s estate. I can’t say it was totally selfless on my part. I benefited greatly and felt a certain sense of responsibility to Neil. Neil’s parents had been very good to me, but I’ve often wondered if their death was other than accidental.”
“You think they might have been murdered?”
“I couldn’t prove it. But the circumstances always felt suspicious. They had made plans to go away to celebrate their anniversary, and Neil’s uncle had offered them his plane. It crashed on take-off. Even worse than the crash was the timing. The brothers were in the middle of restructuring the company when Neil’s parents died. Without their signatures on the new documents, the company went to Neil’s uncle. Bypassing Neil entirely.”
“So, his uncle stole Neil’s inheritance from under him? And there was nothing you could have done?”
“Neil was just a boy, and at the time, his uncle did everything he could to make it look like he intended to care for his brother’s only child. He continued to pay for Neil’s schooling in London. Paid for his education through graduate school. And when Neil completed his studies, his uncle offered him a graduation present. A final payout that absolved Neil of any connection with what was by then his uncle’s business. He gave Neil an ultimatum. He could walk away quietly, with a couple hundred thousand in his pocket, and agree to never talk about his uncle’s business again or try to fight it and lose everything.”
“I take it he didn’t fight.”
“Neil was no dummy. He knew there was no love lost between them and that he’d lose every penny to the courts if he tried. Neither Neil nor his uncle wanted a scandal…and in the end, it worked out. Neil agreed to his uncle’s terms and never mentioned anything about his disinheritance, which ironically was the best thing that could have happened. Neil had complete independence and the illusion of wealth, which had great power. Banks don’t lend money to those who need it. They give it to those who they think can make more of it. And with the Webster name behind him, Neil did just that. He opened an investment firm in London and brought me on board as his adviser. He was doing moderately well when he met Walter Drummerhausen. Walter was just beginning to do business in Europe, and together, they have an impressive portfolio. Neil had the name. Walter had the money.”
“It sounds like a good match.”
“It was. And it got even better when they attended an international financial seminar in Berlin. That’s when Oleg approached them about buying Athena. Originally, the idea was to build a fleet of floating condos at sea. Neil loved the idea. He always was an adventurous sort. However, I can’t tell you much about what happened after their initial meeting, as I left for other ventures once they got together.”
“Other ventures? By that, you mean things that resulted in you going to prison?”
“A few infractions. A minor mix-up of details, that—.”
“Landed you behind bars for what…four, maybe five years?” Marco had never said how long he had been in prison. Based on our conversation, I figured his incarceration must have begun sometime after Neil, Walter, and Oleg got together. And since Athena had been operating less than ten years, and Marco had been on board at least half that time, it seemed like a reasonably good guess.
“An unfortunate situation, I assure you. But where would we be if it were not for my brief stint in Fleury-Merogis? I wouldn’t know of Geneva’s Freeport break-in, Camile’s ex, nor Inspector Garnier’s plan to siphon off a good portion of what was stolen and sell it on the black market. And you, my dear American journalist friend, wouldn’t have the story.” Marco sounded almost cavalier as he recounted his past.
“Yeah, lucky for me.” If the Inspector, the Professor, or any of the Gang of Eight had any idea what I knew, I’d never get off Athena, much less have a chance to write my story.
“And afterward, when I got out, I remembered Neil and Walter had been discussing a possible fleet, and I looked Neil up, and well, here I am.”
“So, if I understand you correctly, you were in business with them when they first met Oleg and then again after you got out of prison.”
“Yes.”
“And, just so I know, where were you the night Oleg died?”
“You can’t suspect me. I saved your life.”
“Humor me. Where were you?”
“In my stateroom. I retired early that night. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think a brisk walk around the deck would do me good. Good night, Kat. We’ll talk later.”
* * *
Obviously, I wouldn’t be going back to the dining room and finishing my dinner with the Captain that night. Byard had disappeared to the bridge, and I returned to Dede’s suite, uncertain if I should knock and wait for her to answer the door or just walk in. The decision was made for me when I met Finn as he was about to shut the door to Dede’s apartment behind him.
“Kat! You’re here, thank goodness. Dede’s a mess. I brought her something from the pharmacy to calm her down, but she shouldn’t be alone. I assume you must have seen her come aboard?” Finn didn’t wait for me to answer. “Would you be a dear and look after her. Everybody’s calling for favors, and I’m swamped.”
Finn backed up and opened the door wide for me. I bid him goodnight, entered, and then shut the door behind me.
“Dede?” I could hear Dede in the kitchen, slamming cabinets. I called again. I didn’t want to surprise her. “Dede?”
A cabinet door slammed, and then, as I stood in the center of the living room, she poked her head out from the kitchen and stared at me. “Who are you?”
“I’m Kat Lawson with Journey International. The journalist—”
“Ah. Yes. The travel reporter. I remember. “ Dede walked to the bar, took one of the crystal decanters filled with what looked like scotch from the shelf, and poured herself a glass. “I spoke with your editor. Sophie, something or other.”
“Sophie Brill.”
“Yes, that‘s the name. We agreed you’d stay in my suite.” Already a little tipsy from what Finn had given her, Dede held the glass in one hand and pointed an index finger at me. She looked unbalanced. “So, how’s it going? Have you had a wonderful time?”
“Awesome,” I said.
Dede’s eyes fixed on the brown liquor in the bottom of her glass. Until I better understood who Dede Drummerhausen was, I preferred to keep my answers short and let her do all the talking.
“I would hope so. Athena’s a beautiful ship. The first of many. Or she was supposed to be anyway.” Dede picked up the decanter and refilled her drink.
“I don’t mean to pry, but are you okay?”
“Of course, I’m okay. Why? Something the matter?”
“It’s just Finn thought maybe I should look after you.”
