Cui Bono

XX

Andreas coursed through the airport in Vancouver; before he reached the exit, two police officers approached him. "Andreas Naslund?"

"Yes, sir."

One of the police officers put his hands behind his back. "Andreas Naslund, you're under arrest for the statutory rape of Bianca Curran. You have the right to remain silent..."

Andreas tuned out the rest of the reading of his rights. He was still in a daze when the police officers escorted him out of the airport.

Mark met Katherine at the arrivals gate at Vancouver International Airport. "I have some good news," he announced.

"Jesus, Dad, can I get back in the country first?"

Mark laughed. "I'm sorry. I just thought you'd like to know I've managed to bring David Larsen up on charges of trying to rape Bianca."

"If I were you, Dad, I'd be more cautious in my optimism."

"Everybody's in Whistler now."

Katherine rolled her eyes. "Of course they're in Whistler."

"Jean's there."

Katherine emitted a low, annoyed groan, then followed her father out of the airport.

Jean brightened when Victoria showed Katherine into the living room of the Whitfords' Blueberry Hill home.

Katherine rushed towards Jean, who ushered her into the nearest empty room, and shut the door; Katherine pressed her right cheek.

"Your phantom tooth bothering you again?"

Katherine winced.

"Anyway, Robbie's told me some things I think you'll be interested in hearing. Chiefly about Thad and Jocelyn. It turns out Robbie's slept with Jocelyn—on a few occasions—as well as being one of her stooges. In this case, in Thad's death—or, rather, covering it up."

"Bitch."

"I've already talked to Detective Halloran. But I wanted to make sure you were up to speed."

"This makes her sleeping with Andreas Naslund and Henry Martindale Grey after breaking up with Alistair Hebblethwaite look like acts of charity."

"When was that?"

Katherine and Jean looked over at Alistair. Then Katherine said, "In '67. Right around the time I came home from the Ottawa Gaol."

"Jocelyn and I were still an item then."

Katherine and Jean gazed at him.

"We were fighting a lot, but we were still together."

"Yeah, I think we get it."

"Jesus Christ."

Everyone turned to see Andreas standing in the doorway.

Jean sighed. "This was supposed to be a private conversation between me and Katherine. When did it get to be a free-for-all?"

Alistair laughed at Andreas. "You thought we'd broken up when you fucked her?"

"You clearly don't see how Jocelyn operates, Alistair. She can deceive anyone who isn't a complete cynic—like Katherine—in a way that makes them think everything she says is true."