Free Double-Cross by Sophie McKenzie Page B

spoke, his voice was smooth and good-humoured.
    ‘And how am I planning on using you, Nico?’ he said.
    ‘I don’t know yet,’ I said. ‘But I don’t believe you went to all the trouble of bringing us here just out of the goodness of your heart.’
    The tension in the room rose. I could feel the others looking intently at me, but I kept my gaze on Avery.
    He gave a low chuckle. ‘You’re quite right, Nico. I didn’t bring you here just as an act of charity. I thought this could wait a day or two, but evidently it needs to come out now.’ He paused. ‘There is something I want – but it’s something you want, too. In fact, it’s something you need.’
    The room was now so silent I could hear the low hum of the air conditioner.
    ‘And what’s that?’ I said.
    Avery looked at Dylan. ‘I told you just now that I had no concrete evidence that Geri killed your parents?’
    Dylan nodded. Avery’s hard, grey eyes flickered from her across the others, coming to rest on me.
    ‘Well, that was true,’ he said. ‘I don’t have any proof. But I know where you can get it.’

 
9: Thefts
    Avery refused to tell us any more about the evidence on Geri until we had showered and rested. He took us through a series of cool, shady corridors and up a small flight of stairs to what he referred to as the east wing of the house. With a wave of his hand, he indicated four rooms, two on either side of a long landing that led to a balcony overlooking the swimming pool.
    The rooms were identical. Spacious and minimalist, with soft brown covers and cushions on the beds and glass-topped bedside tables. Each room had a small wardrobe with hanging space and drawers and an en suite bathroom. A huge, flat-screen TV stood in the corner, complete with a cupboard full of computer games and DVDs.
    ‘You can use the internet in here . . . download movies . . . music . . . whatever you like . . .’ Avery said, smiling at our amazement.
    ‘It’s like a freakin’ hotel,’ said Dylan.
    ‘Yes, and you are my guests,’ Avery said smoothly. ‘So please ask for anything you need.’ He checked his watch – large and gold and the only piece of jewellery he wore.
    ‘I realise you must be disoriented because of the time difference with England, but it’s now almost six p.m. Why don’t you relax for an hour, then I’ll send Cal to take you on a tour of the ranch? After that, I’ll join you for dinner.’
    ‘Thank you,’ said Ed politely. Ketty and Dylan nodded.
    I leaned against the wall of the bedroom we were standing in. Was I the only one who felt that something was massively off here? It just all felt too good to be true.
    I looked up. Avery was staring at me again. His eyes flickered away immediately and he cleared his throat.
    ‘If you’d like to take a shower, there are towels in the bathrooms,’ he said. ‘I’ll send Philly with a change of clothes.’
    ‘What, you just happen to have a load of clothes that’ll fit us in the house?’ I said suspiciously.
    Avery smiled. ‘I can’t promise the fit will be exact, or that the garments will be to your taste, but I have eight children, ranging in age from three to twenty-three – so, yes, there’re plenty of clothes in the house!’
    ‘Eight children?’ Ketty said faintly.
    ‘And you said none of them apart from Cal are Medusa?’ Dylan asked.
    ‘That’s right,’ said Avery.
    ‘Are they all here?’ Ed asked.
    ‘No.’ Avery explained. ‘The three eldest are away at college or work. The others are here. You’ll see them later – the younger ones are mine and Philly’s children. The older ones belong to my late first and second wives.’
    ‘Three wives and eight children?’ I glared at Avery. ‘Are you trying to set some kind of record?’
    Avery’s gaze hardened for a second, then he pursed his lips. ‘As I said, both my first and second wives died. It is to Philly’s great credit that she treats all my children as her own,’ he said, an edge creeping