Hard Case by Elizabeth Lapthorne

all right from here, but we’ll contact you if we find ourselves in need of further assistance.”
    She nodded, not disturbed by the gentle rebuff. She pushed the door open then stood to the side and let them enter. When they’d stepped inside the room, she turned away and left.
    A dapper man rose from behind an enormous walnut desk. He was dressed in a remarkably conservative three piece suit. It took Troy a moment to realize the gentleman was relatively young. His dark hair was cut short, his beard was neatly clipped and his fingernails were exquisitely manicured. A wide, very white smile showed perfectly even, capped teeth.
    This was a man who took his features and image extremely seriously.
    “Ah, Mr. Price, Mr. Thompson, allow me to introduce myself. I’m Leland Knox, Mr. Marshall’s personal assistant.”
    They all shook hands. Leland smiled near continually. Troy wondered if he was showing off his expensive teeth or perhaps just excited to meet some strangers. The cynicism wasn’t very flattering and Troy wasn’t sure if he was getting jaded or if there was just something unnaturally happy about Mr. Knox.
    “I’m Troy Price, Mr. Knox. I know we don’t have an appointment and that Mr. Marshall is a terribly busy man, but there have been some disturbing events over recent days that I wish to discuss. Mr. Thompson here is an old school chum and—”
    “Oh yes, I remember Steven, though he undoubtedly doesn’t recall me,” Leland broke in and turned that blinding grin onto Steve. “I’m not sure we were ever formally introduced. I was three—or perhaps four—years behind you, Steven. I recall being quite impressed by a particular boxing match I witnessed. I believe that’s where your agent first came into contact with you. He was the father of one of the other boys. Am I recalling that correctly?”
    “Yes.” Steven raised his eyebrows, clearly taken aback at being remembered after such a long time. “George helped guide me through my first years. He thought I could turn professional, but I’m afraid I didn’t have the heart for it.”
    “Or the bloodlust,” Leland added with yet another smile. “Isn’t it ironic we’re all bred to be the perfect gentlemen, to fulfill being doctors and politicians, when our ancestors back in the dark ages needed the skills we now have to disdain to be socially acceptable.”
    “Actually I became a nurse,” Steven corrected.
    Leland nodded, seeming unperturbed. “My mistake, but then they say nurses are the ones who keep the hospitals running. Far more frequently it’s they who have their fingers on the pulse, not the doctors.” Leland checked his large, flashy watch and lifted his other arm, indicating a door farther into his office on the far wall. “Anyway, I’m afraid Keyton only has a few minutes. I can make an appointment for you after lunchtime tomorrow if you can’t get everything finished today. I’m sorry about rushing you, but on such short notice… Well, at least I’ve managed to squeeze you in. There’s this important fundraiser tonight, drinks before dinner… You know the routine, I’m guessing.”
    “Of course,” Troy replied. He smiled, but it wasn’t at Leland’s hectic-but-appeasing air. He’d caught the sharpness in the dapper man’s eyes.
    Troy recognized the ploy. For all the polished physical appearance, the big, expensive grinning and air of idle wealth, Leland’s dark eyes continually roved, taking in every detail. Troy knew the manner well, had used the con of acting campy and gay as a queen, just to lull others into underestimating him.
    It was a good trick, acting like a brainless bit of fluff who no one took seriously.
    By the time anyone realized there was a sharp brain and a wicked slice of danger beneath the calm exterior, it was usually too late. Troy hazarded that Keyton, too, knew there was an intelligence—and more importantly, a hunger for power—beneath the smooth, charming exterior of Leland’s smiles.