“You haven’t caught all of his accomplices—”
“We’re working on it.” Juliet leaned back into the soft cushions, studying Ham’s mother for any sign of discomfort, but saw none. But she did see a resemblance to her son, in her eyes, around her mouth, that might have surprised, even dismayed, her. “Ethan’s told the authorities everything, Mrs. Carhill. You told him that you didn’t pay the ransom. The five million.”
She shifted on her chair. “I asked him to keep our conversation private.”
“Well, then he’d have been in trouble with the FBI and the United States Marshals Service and, maybe worst of all, the Vermont State Police.” Juliet kept her tone light, but Faye didn’t smile. “Mrs. Carhill, you lied to Ethan. You paid the ransom.”
“Deputy Longstreet, I think you should leave.”
Juliet ignored her. “I’ll bet Kelleher was thrilled. His original plan was to use Ham to lure Ethan into his orbit and convert him to the cause or kill him. He hooked into your son because of Ham’s friendship with Ethan.”
“If you’re implying my son bragged about his friendship with a Special Forces officer—”
“I’m not. Kelleher could have found out on his own. Ethan had his name in the papers in the spring, not long before Kelleher hooked Ham up with his friend in Washington.”
“I hate this,” Faye said tightly, in a low voice. “Ham should have known better.”
“From what I understand, he did a lot of good.” Juliet gave his mother a chance to say something, but she didn’t. “He also was on to Kelleher’s smuggling operation. Kelleher knew he had to do something. He just didn’t know what.”
Faye turned away, refusing to listen.
Juliet sighed. “Ham knew he was in over his head and came to New York to find Ethan. That’s just what Kelleher wanted. He followed your son and saw Bobby Tatro sneaking around—which is how he got involved. At first, Kelleher didn’t want Ham putting the pieces together about the smuggling, but he could have just shot Ham and been done with him. What he really was after was a way to get Ethan to Colombia. That’s why he put out word that Ethan could identify your son.”
“I don’t want to hear this.”
“I didn’t, either. I keep picturing your son getting grabbed in Colombia.” But that, she knew, wasn’t what his mother was picturing—Juliet guessed that Faye Carhill could only see herself and her husband and the disruption to their quiet, private lives of tremendous privilege. Juliet went on, “Kelleher did as much manipulating and maneuvering as he could. Then he called you.”
Faye spun around in her chair, her pale eyes shining with tears. “What would you have had us do?”
“I’d have had you call your local FBI office. Instead, you paid the ransom. Then, when you realized your son was safe, you took it away.”
“How could we—”
“You’re wealthy, very well-connected people, Mrs. Carhill. You found a way to get your money back out of Kelleher’s account. Maybe that was the right thing to do—that money sure as hell wasn’t going to a good cause. But if you’d told people—if you’d told your own son—” Juliet sat forward, half wishing she’d stayed at the Brooker ranch and looked at those baby pictures of Ethan. “What Kelleher did isn’t your responsibility. But what you did is. Ham thought the emeralds were the ransom.”
“He wanted to make it all right,” Faye whispered. “That’s my son, you know. He always thinks there’s a right and a wrong choice.”
Juliet got to her feet. “May I see him?”
She nodded, exhausted, and pointed vaguely out toward the back of the house.
A uniformed maid with a pleasant smile showed Juliet out to the pool. Ham was there, sprawled on a lounge chair in the sun. Juliet grinned at him. “You’re going to be a wrinkled-up old man one day.”
He grinned back. “I hope so.” He squinted up at her. “Am I in trouble?”
“Nope. I’m just visiting.”
“Did my mother tell you she and my father paid the five million, then took it away? It explains why Kelleher turned on Mia O’Farrell. Why he went crazy with his conspiracies. He had five million in his bank account one day, and the next day—poof. Gone.”
“He figured only a conspiracy involving a high government official could explain what happened.”
“And me—I was already a traitor because I was so close to uncovering his emerald smuggling.” He sat up, crossing his legs. He had on swim trunks, and his ribs showed, but at least the bites and bruises had healed. “I joined the Marines.”
Juliet looked out at the warm, rippling water of the kidney-shaped pool. The air was warm by her standards, but cool for bony Ham to be out sunning himself, although he didn’t seem to notice. “The Marines, huh?”
He nodded.
“Well, you’re a genius, right? You’ll have considered all the pros and cons. You tell Ethan?”
“He says I’ll last twelve hours before they kick me out.”
“And you plan to show him.”