Page 200 of Chandelier Enthralled
She bristled. “Ms. Hadley will not be in today.”
I felt a flash of disappointment. I’d driven in especially to speak with her, stirred up my courage and gone over all the things I wanted to say.
I took a deep breath. “Did Greyson Grantchester come in to see her?”
“How do you know that?”
“I know him.”
She looked suspicious. “Mr. Grantchester had the same reaction as you when I told him she wasn’t here today. Told him next time he should make an appointment. I’ll say the same to you. We don’t have an open-door policy. What’s going on?”
“How do you mean?”
“Do I need to call her with a message?”
I tried to act nonchalant. “Jewel asked me to share a finding once it was substantiated.” The excuse sounded convincing.
“Email her.”
“She’s at home?” I asked casually.
The phone rang, annoying her. She took a message and then met my gaze.
“What was that, Ms. Cole?”
“I was just wondering if Ms. Hadley is working from home.”
“Jewel is in Paris.”
“Oh, France?” I gave a nod. “That’s right, she did tell me.”
“Mont-Saint-Michel.”
“The castle?” I asked. “I remember her saying it’s for the…”
“The gala for the Arcadia Accord,” she offered.
“Did you happen to mention this to Mr. Grantchester?”
She peered off as though searching the skyline for one of his creations. “Yes, he drove all this way. I figured he was owed an explanation of why the CEO wasn’t in.”
“So he knows where she went?”
“Mr. Grantchester told me he’s building a mausoleum for Ms. Hadley.”
“I’m sorry, what?”
“I’m guessing for a relative.”
A mausoleum. Not for a loved one. Not for a relative. No, the way she had conveyed his words, it was for Jewel—a resting place before she was ready to rest.
A cloaked threat that may never reach her.
Jewel’s secretary turned away to answer the phone again.
I flew out of the office, heading for the elevator, my stomach twisting with agony as I realized Greyson would have a five-hour head start to France.
Cameron would not let me fly to France alone.
