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not reproductions. More than ever she wondered
    what sort of business Alexander Cardinal was in. Or had once been in. The gorilla came to a halt at a point
    where French doors stood open onto a terrace.
    „Miss Morgan and her friend, Mr. Sangrey.“
    „Thank you, Haslett.“ Alexander Cardinal rose from the white wicker chair in which he had been sitting
    and came forward.
    He was rather as Angie had expected. He looked perfectly at home in the tropical fantasy surrounding
    him. Tall, athletically lean, Cardinal was a man in his late sixties. His features were aristocratic; the eyes
    piercingly blue. His hair was blazingly white, and he still had most of it. The white linen tropical suit he wore
    had obviously been tailor-made. Everything about him was elegantly refined and infinitely charming. Angie
    found herself mentally casting him in a film about a wealthy, retired and very mysterious international jewel
    thief. Or worse.
    „It is a pleasure to have you here, Miss Morgan. I’ve been looking forward to your company.“ Cardinal
    took Angie’s hand in his own and kissed the back of it with a natural finesse that made her eyes widen in
    appreciation. Then he extended his hand to Flynn. „Mr. Sangrey? We weren’t expecting you but please feel
    welcomed.“
    Flynn accepted the handshake easily. „Thank you. Angie was kind enough to invite me along. I’m glad
    you don’t mind.“
    „Not at all, not at all. Please be seated. Haslett will be bringing drinks out in a moment.“
    Angie sank down onto one of the cushioned wicker chairs and turned her head to take in the exquisite
    view of sea and darkening sky. „Your home is absolutely magnificent, Mr. Cardinal.“
    „I have been fortunate over the years. And this is my reward.“ Cardinal smiled genially as he seated
    himself.
    „I didn’t realize there was a reward for good fortune,“ Angie couldn’t resist saying.
    „There is when a man is directly responsible for his own luck.“ Cardinal looked at Flynn, who had taken
    the chair next to Angie. „Wouldn’t you agree, Mr. Sangrey?“
    „Completely, Mr. Cardinal.“ Flynn’s eyes moved appreciatively over his surroundings. „Completely.“
    Angie sensed quite suddenly that Flynn and Cardinal were establishing their own lines of communication,
    and the knowledge was vaguely alarming. She wasn’t sure she liked the subtle, assessing glances that were
    being exchanged between the two men. Haslett appeared with a tray of drinks before she could completely
    analyze what was happening.
    „Margaritas, sangria, or tequila and lime?“ Haslett held the tray out to Angie.
    She accepted one of the salt-rimmed margaritas and nodded her thanks without quite meeting Haslett’s
    eyes. Cardinal waited until everyone had been served before he resumed the conversation.
    „I am sorry your uncle could not come with you, Miss Morgan. I had been looking forward to meeting
    the creator of the Jake Savage series.“ He glanced at Flynn. „Have you read any of the books, Mr.
    Sangrey?“
    Flynn smiled. „Angie was just asking me the same thing. I told her I had read one or two.“
    „They are very good from a technical point of view, aren’t they?“
    „Quite accurate,“ Flynn agreed. He flicked a quick, amused glance at Angie.
    „I have enjoyed my correspondence with Julian Torres enormously,“ Cardinal continued. „He seems to
    be a man who understands the important things in life. So few men do these days.“
    Angie sipped her drink. „He’s very grateful to you for agreeing to sell the Torres Dagger.“
    „I would never have agreed to do so except to someone like your uncle who had a prior claim on the
    dagger. It is a fine piece of steel. Beautifully worked. I’m glad it will be going back into the family that
    originally owned it. As we grow older, Miss Morgan, such things as family traditions become increasingly
    important.“
    Flynn tasted the raw tequila he had accepted from Haslett. „Angie isn’t