Free Some Like It Lethal by Nancy Martin

he's Einstein and Man o' War rolled into one. And he's so jealous, which is always a turn-on."
    Lexie and I dared not look at each other.
    Claudine  unconsciously  stroked her  own  sinewy arms. "I'm just relieved it's over now. The blackmail, I mean. It's been such a trial."
    "Let me try just one more time," Lexie said quite seriously. "It's not too late, Claudine. You can still go to the authorities. Who knows if this person will come back to you later for more money? He's already dipped into your well three times."
    "But I have the photos now. And the negatives."
    "How can you be sure you have them all? You can't trust a blackmailer. And heaven knows he might try the same with other people—your friends. You'd be doing a public service by bringing him to justice."
    "To hell with the public. I've given them enough already." Claudine stood up and suddenly looked every inch the exquisite, world-class ballerina—a tall willow with a core of steel. She cupped the lilies with one graceful hand and bent to inhale their fragrance in a gesture so feminine and beautiful that she had made grown men weep when she executed it during Giselle. She straightened just as gracefully. "I'm just glad I'm free at last. And I wanted to thank you, Lexie, for your help. You've been great. Enjoy the flowers. I've got to run now. I'm meeting Dougie this afternoon for a quickie, and then Osgood and I have a cocktail thing tonight. Nice to see you, Nora."
    "If you change your mind," Lexie said, "I'll do anything I can to help."
    "Don't worry. It's over now. Kiss, kiss. Oh, and can I have one of those Godfather DVDs?"
    "Take two," Lexie urged as Claudine went out of the room.
    When we were alone, Lexie said, "I'm so sorry about that, Nora. It's hell knowing other people's secrets."
    "I won't say a word."
    She slugged the rest of her tomato juice and stood with one fist braced on her slim hip. "I'm almost glad you know, actually. Have you heard of anyone else being blackmailed? Anyone among our friends?"
    "No, but it's hardly the kind of trouble a person advertises."
    "I know. It's trouble that's contagious, however. I've been seeing some very peculiar withdrawals lately, and I'm sure people aren't buying expensive Christmas gifts with the money." She glared at the flowers Claudine had brought for her. "God, I hate lilies!"
    "They smell like funerals."
    "Damn right." She carried the flowers outside and left them on her balcony. When she returned and closed the door again, she asked, "Do you suppose Claudine Paltron has read a single book in her life?"
    "She's upset you."
    "I swear, it doesn't pay to have small clients anymore. From now on, I'm only taking billionaires." Lexie pulled me to sit beside her on the edge of the bed. "Forget about me now. Tell me what's wrong, darling. You looked ghastly when you came in. What in the world has happened? Is it Michael? Has he been arrested? The whole money-laundering thing is true, after all?"
    I shook my head. "The hunt breakfast."
    I told her about Rush Strawcutter's death. Lexie was horrified.
    "And Emma was in the same stall?" Lexie cried. "Oh, my God, what was she doing?"
    "She was unconscious, Lex. She's been drinking lately, and I—we've—tried to talk to her about it, but—"
    Lexie shook her head. "You can't control someone else's addiction, Nora. You of all people, should know that by now."
    "It's not the same as Todd," I said. "It really isn't. I should have helped her before now."
    Lexie gave my shoulder a shake. "Do you hear yourself? This is exactly the kind of thing you were saying about Todd!"
    "So sue me for not wanting to hear myself say the same thing if something happens to Emma!"
    "Emma is an adult—"
    "With problems and pressures we don't understand. She lost her husband, for God's sake, and a very high-profile life. Now she can't ride the way she wants to, which has to be—"
    "You're making excuses for her."
    "Dammit, Lexie!"
    She hugged me hard and didn't let go. "Go ahead and