The house in Connecticut could only be approached by passing through electric gates and then undergoing the scrutiny of two uniformed guards with pistols stuck casually in their belts.
Dickson Grade passed this scrutiny easily. He was a precise-looking man in a dark business suit. He wore rimless glasses on small brown eyes, and his hair was combed neatly back.
He approached the big house, holding a slim leather briefcase tightly by his side.
A uniformed maid answered his ring. ‘Good afternoon, Mr. Grade, sir,’ she said respectfully. ‘Mr. Bolding is out by the pool.’
Dickson Grade nodded, making his way through the house to the patio, which led out to an Olympic-size swimming pool.
Susan Bolding greeted him. She was a most attractive woman, with straight fair hair pulled firmly back in a French twist. Her shapely figure was concealed beneath a loose silk shirt and tailored white trousers.
‘Hello, Dick.’ She smiled, kissing him lightly on the cheek. ‘What can I get you? A drink? Tea? Coffee?’
Dickson smiled politely. He found Larry Bolding’s wife extremely appealing, but when you were Larry Bolding’s personal assistant you sat on thoughts like that and did nothing about them.
‘Coffee, please, Susan. Where is Larry?’
‘Exploring the garden in search of weeds, I think. Honestly, Sunday is the only day he gets time to relax. And you know how he loves his garden.’
‘I’ll go find him.’
Dickson walked down a side path until he discovered Larry Bolding playing catch on the grass with his children.
They greeted each other, and then Larry sent the children off to find Mommy. He was a tall, clean-cut man in his early forties. Craggy good looks combined nicely with a deep, masculine voice and a politician’s firm handshake.
‘Everything is under control,’ Dickson said. ‘A perfect operation.’
Larry Bolding glanced around to make perfectly sure they were alone. ‘Is she—dead?’ he asked in a low voice.
Dickson nodded. ‘And nothing to connect it to us. You’re in the clear. Oh, and rest assured, the right people will be dealing with her personal effects.’
Larry Bolding sighed and patted Dickson on the shoulder. ‘It was the only way, wasn’t it?’ he questioned.
Dickson Grade nodded agreement. ‘The only way.’