Chapter 70 .sx " WHAT I COULD do is sleep in the Nissan , " Anna said .sx It was getting dark and she had had a couple of beers .sx " Elaine will be going home soon and I don't want to hang about here after dark .sx " .sx " It should be safe , " Rule said .sx " Probably .sx " He had drunk a couple of beers too , but it didn't seem to be affecting him .sx Anna was quite shocked at the speed with which two weak beers had worked .sx Or she could have been shocked if she hadn't felt so relaxed .sx She couldn't understand it at all .sx " What's safe ?sx " she asked .sx " Anyway , 'probably' safe isn't safe enough .sx " .sx " That little creep thought we blew Hugh away , " Rule said .sx " So he isn't in touch with the guys who did blow Hugh away .sx " .sx " But what about Lara ?sx " Anna said .sx " I'll take you back to Nancy's house , " Rule said .sx " We can start again in the morning .sx " .sx " We left the Nissan on Bay Beach , " Anna said .sx " But I have all my stuff in my vehicle .sx " .sx " You sound like Dave Douglas , " Anna remarked .sx " Stuff !sx " .sx " Fucking toe-rag , " Rule said .sx Anna began to giggle .sx He watched her for a moment , smiling patiently .sx Anna said , " You were going to ask me something .sx " .sx " What ?sx " .sx " I don't know .sx You said you wanted to ask me something before Dave Douglas came .sx " .sx The phone rang .sx Rule got to it first .sx " Yes ?sx " he said .sx Then , " Okay Elaine .sx Good work .sx " He put the receiver down .sx " White Mercedes , " he told Anna .sx " Ms Crowther , she thinks .sx No passengers , she thinks .sx How d'you want to play it ?sx " .sx " Buggered if I know , " Anna said .sx " I want to play it hard and low over the net , make her work to get the ball back and stop her lobbing into the sun .sx " .sx " You okay ?sx " .sx Of course , " Anna said .sx " I mean I just want to keep her honest .sx " .sx " I know what you mean , " Rule said .sx " It's just you had a coupla beers and every time you say , 'of course' you seem to mean the opposite .sx " .sx Anna stared at him .sx He said , " I'll get lost .sx Right ?sx She probably won't talk to you unless she thinks you're alone .sx " .sx He stoop up and they heard a car door slam below .sx " Not too far , " Anna said .sx " I'll be there , " Rule said .sx " Don't worry .sx " .sx " Of course not , " Anna said .sx And then to cover up , she added , " Don't forget your cigarettes .sx " .sx The front doorbell chimed .sx Rule took his cigarettes and left .sx She waited .sx She thought he had probably gone upstairs but she couldn't hear him .sx For a big man he moved very well .sx The bell chimed again , and then she heard a key in the lock .sx She listened .sx There was only one pair of feet on the stairs .sx When Lara saw her she only paused for half a second .sx She put her handbag on the coffee table and dropped her keys beside it .sx " Hi , Anna , " she said .sx " Why didn't you come down and let me in ?sx " .sx " This is your house , " Anna said .sx " You've got your own keys .sx You can come in whenever you like .sx " .sx " That's right , " Lara said .sx She sat down and crossed her legs .sx She was wearing a pink and lime green dress , made of silk with fine pleats in the skirt .sx She arranged the pleats precisely over her knees .sx " Well ?sx " she said .sx Anna waited , watching her .sx She had on pale green eye shadow which went well with the gold hair and tan .sx A colourful woman , Anna thought .sx " Look , " Lara said , " we're a little out of sync here .sx You left an urgent message on my machine last night .sx I didn't get home till the early hours so I couldn't respond .sx When I called you back there was no reply .sx I called Florida-Technics .sx I called Elaine at the club .sx I even called your office in England .sx Nobody had seen or heard from you .sx " .sx " So you came , " Anna said .sx " Why ?sx " .sx " Why ?sx " Lara said .sx " Because I thought you might be in trouble .sx It sounded as if you were in trouble .sx " .sx " How kind , " Anna said .sx " But as you see I'm not in trouble .sx There was a spot of bother last night but that was last night .sx " .sx " So ?sx " Lara said .sx " So what ?sx " .sx " So , have you anything to report ?sx " Lara asked , like a very patient woman .sx " I don't want to waste my trip entirely .sx " .sx " Have some coffee , " Anna suggested .sx " It won't take a minute .sx " .sx " Look , I'm sorry I didn't call you right back , " Lara said .sx " If that's what's bugging you .sx " .sx " I'm not bugged , " Anna said .sx " Where were you last night ?sx " .sx " I'm sorry ?sx " Lara said in offended tones .sx " With your mum again ?sx " Anna asked politely .sx " Is she any better ?sx " .sx " As it happens , yes , I was visiting with my mother .sx " Lara frowned .sx " I could verify that ?sx " Anna asked .sx " I mean , are there three independent witnesses to this visit ?sx " .sx " I don't get it , " Lara said .sx " I feel this terrific hostility from you .sx " .sx " Hostility ?sx " Anna asked .sx " Of course not .sx " .sx " Quit fencing , " Lara snapped .sx " If you have something to say to me , say it .sx " .sx Anna looked puzzled .sx " I haven't got anything to say to you , " she said .sx " You came to me .sx I didn't come to you .sx " .sx " I'm paying you to report to me , " Lara said .sx She was getting angry .sx " No , you're not , " Anna said , thinking - fifteen , love .sx It had taken a while , but sometimes even a single small point took patience .sx " What do you mean ?sx " Lara said .sx " I am your employer .sx " .sx " No , you're not , " Anna repeated .sx " It's all over .sx " .sx " It's all over when I say it is , not before , " Lara said angrily .sx " Now where is Cynthia ?sx " .sx " I don't know , " Anna said .sx " What do you mean you don't know ?sx " .sx " I just don't know , " Anna said pleasantly .sx " They didn't tell me where they took her .sx " .sx " Who took her ?sx " Lara asked .sx She looked shaken .sx " They didn't tell me their names .sx " .sx " You took her , " Lara exclaimed .sx " They didn't take her .sx " .sx " Now we're getting somewhere , " Anna said , relieved .sx " Thirty , love .sx " .sx " Are you crazy ?sx " Lara shouted .sx " What has come over you ?sx " .sx " It's something you told me once , " Anna said .sx " What ?sx " .sx " You told me not to ignore the mental game .sx I always pay attention to what you say .sx I'm a big admirer .sx " .sx " That was tennis , " Lara said .sx " No .sx You said it was my whole attitude to life .sx The game was a draw .sx Remember ?sx You said I should have won and that therefore I had let you beat me .sx Because I ignored the mental game .sx " .sx " Jesus !sx " Lara said .sx " It was only a game .sx " .sx " Isn't that what I'm supposed to say ?sx " Anna asked .sx " That's what the loser says , right ?sx " .sx " What are you talking about ?sx " Lara said , exasperated .sx " All I did was ask where Cynthia is .sx Is that too much for you ?sx What am I going to tell Penny ?sx That poor woman .sx Hasn't she been through enough ?sx " .sx " Ah , the old shoelace trick , " Anna said approvingly .sx " Why not wheel in you sick mother while you're at it ?sx Come on , Lara , Cynthia is just a point in your game with Penny .sx You don't give a wet fart what happened to her .sx " .sx " I told you I never cared for Cyn , " Lara said .sx " But I do care for Penny .sx I never saw you as a hard woman , Anna , but how in hell can you use that child against Penny ?sx You really must tell me where she is .sx " .sx " You don't believe me , do you ?sx " Anna said calmly .sx " I told you , they took her away .sx " .sx " They did not take her away !sx " Lara raged .sx " I was there , you weren't .sx " .sx Lara fell silent .sx Anna waited .sx Lara rearranged the pleats , and then leant forward to pick up her handbag .sx " I could make you tell me , " she said quietly .sx She put the handbag on her knee and undid the clasp .sx " How ?sx " Anna asked , watching carefully .sx " Your Mr Brierly may not look like much , but one word from me .sx .. " .sx " That wouldn't work .sx " .sx Lara sighed .sx She fiddled with the clasp of her handbag .sx In the end she said .sx " This is ridiculous .sx What do you want ?sx " .sx " Nothing , " Anna said .sx " I've got everything I want .sx " .sx " More money ?sx " Lara suggested .sx " A bonus ?sx Cash .sx " .sx " I've got loads of money , " Anna said .sx " Enough to stuff a duvet .sx " .sx Lara's eyes narrowed .sx " I see , " she said slowly .sx " You switched sides .sx They paid you .sx Now I understand .sx This is a hostage situation .sx " .sx " No , it isn't , " Anna said .sx " I thought you were straight , " Lara said .sx " I got to hand it to you - I didn't see this coming at all .sx " .sx " I thought you were straight too , " Anna replied .sx " Why ?sx " Lara asked .sx " I thought we got along .sx " .sx " You made a convenience of me , " Anna said .sx " Pride , " Lara said .sx " I should have known .sx " .sx " One of the first strategies of the game , " Anna told her cheerfully .sx " Know your opponent .sx I slipped up there myself .sx I should've checked the details - like who you were married to .sx .. " .sx " You know about that ?sx " .sx " And how much you were paying him in the settlement .sx " .sx Lara sighed again .sx She seemed much more sure of herself now that she was convinced of Anna's dishonesty .sx But she seemed tired too .sx " You understand then , " she said .sx " You and I both know what it is to be made a convenience of .sx I thought I knew all the tricks .sx God , he made a sucker of me !sx It was that smooth British charm .sx If it hadn't been for that I'd have seen him coming a mile off .sx " .sx " You divorced him .sx " .sx " It wasn't enough .sx I had to pay him off and even then I couldn't get rid of him .sx Every way I turned I tripped over him .sx He used my contacts , my outlets , he used my name .sx So then he runs away with my designer's daughter , and my label goes up in smoke too .sx " .sx " He wasn't a nice man , " Anna agreed .sx " Nice !sx " Lara made an explosive sound in her throat .sx " He .sx .. I can't tell you .sx .. " She began to count on her fingers .sx " He was a cheat , a thief , a liar .sx He was sexually promiscuous .sx He used drugs .sx He smoked .sx He sold drugs .sx " .sx " You knew about that ?sx " Anna asked .sx " Sure I did .sx It was the final straw .sx He was importing steroids and God knows what else in consignments of my garments .sx If anyone had got to know about that my whole operation would have gone to hell .sx As it was he sold the goddamned things at my racket club .sx I mean he was only a member because he was my husband .sx People knew !sx " Lara said emphatically .sx " He was talked about .sx And it was my goddamned reputation .sx " .sx " You should have told Penny , " Anna said .sx " You could've saved her a lot of grief .sx " .sx " I'm talking about my reputation !sx " Lara snapped .sx " I'm talking about your friend !sx " .sx " I guess you're right , " Lara said tiredly .sx " But I felt such a fool .sx I didn't even tell her I was married .sx He was a few years younger than I , and I thought she'd lose respect for me .sx " .sx " So poor Cynthia was sacrificed to your reputation .sx " .sx " I don't think you have the right to talk to me like that , " Lara said .sx " You've been bought .sx It cost me a lot of money to find Hugh and Cyn .sx You were paid .sx Now you want me to pay again .sx " .sx " No , I don't , " Anna said .sx " Well , you tell Mr Fantini or Fantoni or whatever he chooses to call himself he won't get a single cent out of me .sx I gave him information but I will not buy Cynthia .sx I'm through .sx He can't get at me through her .sx " .sx " That's exactly what Hugh said .sx " Anna sighed .sx " Poor Cynthia .sx She isn't worth very much to anyone .sx Except her mother , perhaps .sx " .sx " She can't pay you- , " Lara said quickly .sx " She's had no income for over a year .sx Why , I'm practically keeping her .sx " .sx " More fool you , " Anna said .sx " What do you mean ?sx " .sx " I don't really know , " Anna said .sx " It's just an instinct .sx I could be wrong .sx " .sx " Penny loves me , " Lara said .sx " We've been friends for years .sx " .sx " Friends are equals .sx You made a dependant out of her .sx " .sx " Penny loves me , " Lara insisted .sx " But do you love Penny ?sx " Anna asked .sx " You didn't give her the information she required to keep her family together .sx Maybe you even encouraged Hugh .sx