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I breathed in and exhaled slowly to maintain my composure “Hoell did you k

now Slava Kandinsky?”

Blaine crossed his arh to trust him as a business partner”

“Would you say you were friends?”

“Friendly, yes Close friends? Well” His mouth set in a firm line “We don’t talk much about our personal lives, if that’s what you mean”

“Was he married? Did he have a son or other children?”

“II reallyI don’t know” Blaine had the good grace to look ashamed Then, his eyes widened and he asked, “Why do you keep talking about him as if he’s” His voice trailed off

“As if he’s dead?” I looked directly at Blaine, scrutinizing him “Because he is I found him shot to death at his home”

“Dear God” He whispered the words His look transformed to one of fear “Did you call the police?”

“I didn’t think it advisable, given your strong preference against involving the police”

He nodded “Thank you” Blaine seemed less upset than relieved

“Noill you tell me exactly how you decided to become partners?”

Blaine stood up straight and shifted away from the door frame “I met him at a local businessout his credentials, I asked him to meet me privately That’s when I first proposed our partnership”

“And, no doubt, he knew of your legalescapades?” I pressed further

Blaine gave ested I’d lost a few marbles “Everyone did Does Your point?”