Page 20 of When Fashion Turns Deadly

“Did Ralph tell you what was taken?” Marit asked.

“Yes.” Cole looked around the room before he leaned forward and spoke quietly. “He said he lost the designs for his entire line for this year.”

“That can’t be right,” Marit said. “I’m sure he had multiple copies of the computer designs, not to mention the muslin forms.”

“It’s all gone.” Cole shook his head. “The thief stole the designs Ralph put on a flash drive and wiped them off his hard drive. I don’t know what those muslin things are, but those are gone too.”

“You can’t be serious.” Marit clearly looked distressed. “The muslin patterns are the master designs. Without those, he can’t re-create the clothes he’s designed. Especially if he’s lost the digital format too.”

Isabelle couldn’t imagine that an outsider would be able to access Ralph’s office and computer, and it seemed even less likely that they would know where everything was located. “It really does sound like an inside job.”

Lars took a sip of his water. “Could someone have overridden the security cameras?” he asked. “You know, plugged in a fake feed?” When Cole shot him a look of disbelief, he added, “Hey, I’ve seen the movies.”

“Yeah, they could have. But I checked the security access rooms. No sign of tampering, and there were guard sightings multiple times outside Ralph’s office, at least once every half hour. Not many people could get in and out without leaving a trace.” Cole leaned in again and lowered his voice to a whisper. “Not to mention, Brinton James, the man Marit saw in Molenaar’s office, didn’t report to work today.”

“Of course he didn’t show up for work.” Lars focused on Cole. “He was killed last night.”

“Wait.” Marit grasped Lars’s hand. “What?”

Cole straightened. “Where did you hear that?”

“The news broke on it a little while ago. I saw it right after I spotted the photo of you and Marit.” Lars pulled out his cell and tapped on the screen. He then passed it to Cole.

Isabelle leaned forward so she, too, could read the article. “They didn’t give many details.”

“There probably aren’t a lot of details to share yet.” Cole’s jaw tightened.

Isabelle didn’t have to hear Cole’s thoughts to share them. Someone involved in Monday’s theft was eliminating witnesses, and Marit could be next.

“Marit, maybe you should consider staying with me while we’re here in Paris,” Isabelle said.

“Where are you staying, Isabelle?” Lars asked.

“I’m not sure yet, but it might be best to keep you out of sight, especially after what happened last night.”

Concern lit Lars’s eyes, and he focused on Cole. “You think she’s in danger?”

“I don’t know what to think,” Cole said. “But I’d like to know who was in her flat last night and what they were looking for.”

Lars whirled to face Marit. “Someone was in your flat? Why didn’t you say anything?”

“We didn’t realize it until this morning.” Marit squeezed Lars’s hand. “Nadia thought I left a mess, and Cole insisted I get a room at his hotel last night, so I had no idea until I went to grab my stuff before my fitting.”

“Then, Isabelle’s right. You need to stay somewhere else,” Lars said. “Either that, or Cole and I are crashing in your living room.”

“I appreciate the offer, but as I already told Cole, men aren’t allowed on the upper floors, and the entire building is for models only.”

“Then, we’ll find a place we can all stay together,” Cole said. “I have a friend who might have a flat we can borrow.”

“I appreciate that, but even if I can convince Esmee, I’m probably more vulnerable when I’m going to fittings and casting calls than when I’m in my flat.”

“She’s right.” Isabelle hadn’t been around the modeling scene for years, not since one of her best friends had entered the circuit for a brief two years of crazy travel and had ended up finishing high school online. On the two occasions that Isabelle had accompanied her to New York’s Fashion Week, the backstage area had been complete chaos.

“We need someone with Marit who can access everywhere she goes,” Isabelle continued.

“I’ll have backstage access at the Ralph Molenaar show because of the Coster jewels his models will be wearing,” Lars said. “Other than that, I have media access, and that’s it.”

Cole shifted his attention to Isabelle for a moment; then he exchanged a long look with Lars, one that communicated something without words being spoken.

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