‘How do you know that?’ she demanded. ‘Did Jeannine tell you?’
‘No, Paige. Your sister kept your secret. But names of property owners are public in Chicago. Now tell me why you watched Boom Boom for Niels?’
‘Vic, I had no choice. Niels pays for everything. This place, all the furniture. My bills. My clothes. I owe him so much. It seemed easy to go out with your cousin a few times and see if he had learned anything about the Eudora Grain invoices. I liked Boom Boom, Vic. When I told Niels that Boom Boom had found out the truth, he wanted Clayton to get rid of Boom Boom immediately. But I told him not to.’ She lifted her chin and looked at me proudly. ‘We went sailing on that Saturday and Biels tried to persuade Boom Boom to keep quiet. On Monday, Clayton had a terrible row with Boom Boom. But then – then he slipped and fell. That accident was a good thing. I was afraid Biels might do something desperate.’
I was silent. I couldn’t find words that matched my horror and anger. Finally I whispered, ‘What about Clayton? Were you with Niels Sunday morning when he put a big hole in the side of Clayton’s head?’
She looked at me with Gentle Blame. ‘I don’t think you should talk to me like that, Vic. You may not like Niels, but he is my lover.’
I gave a burst of mad laughter. ‘Why should I care about you and Grafalk? It’s what the two of you did to my cousin that I care about.’
Paige looked at her watch. ‘Yes, well, I’ve told you how much I owe Niels. He’s coming over in a few minutes, too, so unless you want to meet him I suggest you leave.’
I got up. ‘There never were any love letters, were there? It was the copy of Grafalk’s invoice you were looking for in Boom Boom’s apartment the day after the funeral, wasn’t it? If it was, I’ve found it.’