hand it to you, shaving really changed your appearance—especially since your passport was so old and you had a full beard in the photo. You got a drastically new haircut, too, I see.”
“Yes, it’s a whole new look.”
“And you checked out of your hotel room. Very smart.”
“How do you know that I—”
“But it didn’t work, Javier. The police are on to you, anyway—”
“What police? What are you talking about, Ms. Cosi?”
“The authorities know about your plan. There are police all over the museum, and a personal bodyguard with Breanne. You’ll never get close enough to the bride to kill her. You’ll only die yourself—”
“Clare! What kind of talk is this? Have you been drinking? Is Matt’s remarrying too much of a strain—”
“It was the woman, wasn’t it? Matt’s affair with Louisa hurt you terribly. I can imagine. But you’re a handsome, successful man, Javier. Surely, there were other women since her?”
“Louisa! This is about Louisa?”
“She’s the woman you planned to marry, right? Until she strayed with Matt—”
“Let me show you something.” Javier reached into his evening jacket.
I couldn’t imagine how he got a weapon past the Met’s metal detectors, but he was a former commando. Maybe he knew a few tricks. It didn’t matter, anyway. It was impossible to do anything now but fight or run.
Here it comes! The man’s hand came out clutching—a wallet? He flipped the leather folder open, displayed a photograph tucked behind plastic.
“This is Louisa.”
The woman had long black hair and laughing eyes. She was surrounded by children, and she appeared to weigh at least three hundred pounds.
“She’s married now to the manager of a neighboring plantation. We speak often. But I am most definitely over this woman.”
Javier slipped the wallet back into his tailored jacket. “And my change in appearance is easily explained. I met an American woman, Ms. Cosi.” He smiled. “I have been spending my nights with her, which is why I checked out of my hotel. Yesterday, she confessed to me that she did not like my mustache. She said it made me look like Pancho Villa.” He rolled his eyes, shrugged. “So I shaved. It was a fair exchange. She has been even more affectionate with me since.”
“You have an American girlfriend?”
“Her name is Cody. She’s gone off to find the ladies’ room. We were running late and could not make the wedding ceremony. But we are happy to be here for the reception. I’ll introduce you when she—”
“Javier, listen to me. A rare Colombian poison was used in an attempt to murder Breanne. Some kind of batrachotoxin, according to the medical examiner.”
“Batrachotoxin?” Javier’s face fell. “Made from the skin of a yellow frog, yes?”
“You know about it?”
“I use it,” he said.
“What?”
“Not me,” he quickly amended. “Hector Pena. He is my estate manager. He extracts frog poison then puts it on barbed wire surrounding our buildings. It discourages bandits and FARC. Hector learned the trick from his father.”
I thought about the quiet, sad-faced man. “Hector was with you in the Colombian army, wasn’t he?”
“Yes, but—”
“It must be him. But why would Hector want to kill Matt’s bride?!”
“Kill Breanne?” Javier shook his head. “I can’t imagine that Hector—”
“How does Hector know Matt exactly?”
“From his trips to our farm. Matteo also knew Hector’s daughter. A few years ago, she moved to Bogotá to live and work. Matt spent time with her there, whenever he passed through our country—”
“But Hector’s daughter died, didn’t she? You told us she was murdered?”
“I did not say she was murdered. Andelina died by gunshot.” He lowered his voice. “To be honest, the young woman shot herself. But we do not speak of it. Colombia is a Catholic country. Suicide is a mortal sin, so—”
“How long ago did this happen?”
“About four weeks.”
I suddenly felt sick. “Around the time Breanne raided Matt’s PDA and sent wedding announcements to his old flames.”
Javier registered surprise. “I never made the connection, but you are right. Matt would have had Adelina’s address and phone number in his files.” He lowered his voice. “Matteo was intimate with Hector’s daughter, Ms. Cosi. You understand my meaning?”
Oh God. “Javier, listen to me. I think Hector’s daughter killed herself over losing Matt. She must have been unbalanced already, and that stupid wedding announcement sent her over the edge.”
“You believe Hector is trying to kill Breanne for this?”
“Not for sending the announcement. He couldn’t have known she was behind that. No, I think Hector is trying to exact some kind of twisted justice. He wants to show Matt the