Manipulating people was a life skill that Stone had learned over many years of practice. Anyone would bend and be coerced if enough damage was threatened to them. It always gave him satisfaction that he was in control. But today Stone tried to stop his anger simmering as he called Claire.
‘Where’s that Edith woman you gave £75,000 to? I want to see the receipt she signed to make sure it isn’t an outright lie they’d sell Marine House to me.’
Stone’s voice was raised, but it sounded hoarse, as if it had no force behind it.
‘I’ve got it safe; I’m working on it,’ Claire said, trying to be evasive.
‘There’s enough out there now to pull that family down. I never trusted Josh; I knew he was an outright liar and a thief who’d walk off with a diamond. But he’s played right into my hand. It’s time to spill their thieving and sexual promiscuity secrets right onto the street, until they cry for me to stop. Or sell me Marine House at a knock-down price.’
‘Be careful how you deal with this. You don’t want to get into a legal fight; you’ve got your own secrets to hide. Like how you’re going to pay for it. And they’ll want to know where your funds have come from to make sure they’re not being paid in laundered money. And diamonds from a tax haven in the Caribbean will not sound good,’ Claire said.
‘You’re being negative. I don’t want to hear that – the end of my lease is close, and I don’t have much time left.’
‘I know it’s difficult for you, but be patient for a couple more days.’
‘Yeah, you’ve said that before. But where are we now?’
‘Calm yourself. Raising your voice to me is not going to help you,’ Claire said.
‘Get me Josh. Get me that diamond. I’m going to frighten him so he runs to his mother.’
Stone’s voice trailed off; he had not meant to shout at Claire. She was right about his money – it was tainted, laundered to a far-off island in the Caribbean. And trading diamonds, no, that would not sound good either.
As he hauled himself from the deep sofa, he eased his back slowly as he stood. At the front door and then the rear door, he tested the heavy bolts that held them securely. He was never going to move away from Marine House, and if Lady Ruth thought she could take it with her aloofness and contempt, it wouldn’t work. He would let the Jackson family stew for a few more days. And this was a place to squat and relish the rage from that tribe that would be fired at him.