“Did
he identify himself?”Stefan listened intently to the response.Idly he stroked the hairs of his neatly groomed goatee.“A Detective Taggert… Very good.Your loyalty will of course be generously rewarded.”
“Would
your conversation have anything to do with Wyndemere’s new houseguest?”
Stefan
hung up the telephone and looked around into the face of his nephew Nikolas.Nikolas was the son of Stefan’s deceased older brother Stavros, and as
such was the Cassadine Prince.It would be several more years before the young man officially assumed
the responsibilities of his title.In the meantime, Stefan maintained the family’s wealth and holdings.
“Yes,”
Stefan replied.“May I ask how you became aware of Miss Jensen’s presence here on the
island?”
Nikolas
felt a little off-balance.Between learning of Dara’s presence at Wyndemere and having his uncle
provide him with a straightforward answer, he was a bit nonplussed.“I noticed Mrs. Landsbury retrieving a breakfast tray from the vacant
suite opposite yours and asked her about it.”
“It
is just as well that you are aware.”Stefan waved his nephew to a chair opposite him.“I would like to discuss the reasons for Miss Jensen’s stay here
among us.”He took in the frown that creased Nikolas’ brow.“What is it?”
“You
are voluntarily sharing information with me?”The young man sat back heavily in his chair.His strong, white teeth gleamed brightly against the dusky olive tint of
his skin.“You must excuse my amazement, Uncle.Despite my many pleas of the past that you entrust me with the details of
your actions, you have never previously seen fit to do so.That you are doing so now frankly leaves me skeptical.”
The
sharp truth of the younger man’s words pricked Stefan’s conscience just a
little bit.“My reasons for Miss Jensen’s presence will soon be public knowledge,
Nikolas.I would prefer that you hear them from me and therefore possess all the
facts.”
“All
the facts…” Nikolas mused.Somehow he doubted that his uncle would truly be completely forthcoming
with him.Stefan had spent so much of his life sheltering his nephew that it was
now second nature where he was concerned.“Very well, Uncle.I will hear what it is you have to say.”
“Three
days ago,” Stefan began without preamble, “I put forth a binding proposal to
Miss Jensen…”
