Page 25 of Executive Decision

“He will not care if you’re late,” I said.

Knowing a bit of space might be good for us, I climbed into my waiting car and left for the Palmer House Hilton. The entire place swarmed with grown-ups dressed in their finery and teens turned out like movie stars. Lady Danna had outdone herself by transforming the historic hotel’s ballroom into some sort of fairy castle six monthsafterher daughter’s birthday. It was a showpiece, so the date had to avoid society weddings, holidays, and all the usual charity events. This date meant the most people could attend and gaze at her handiwork.

I entered, greeted by David himself.

“Cal, how are you?” He shook my hand and patted my arm.

“I’m doing just fine. Kristy apologizes. She’s running late.”

“Oh, that’s too bad. She’s going to miss the harpsichordist.”

I furrowed my brow, confused.

“I have no idea why we needed one. Dora Elizabeth was rather… insistent. Well, I sense this was about a power struggle she fought with her mother over a preference for classical or baroque music.”

Much like Kristy’s point about the black-tie event for teens, Daphne’s sister’s preferences didn’t have to make sense. Little about the Delphine’s did to an outsider. And try as I may, I remained the man looking in.

“Come in, get a drink. Enjoy some food. Dinner will be served in twenty minutes,” David said. “I’ll find you in a bit. I was going to run something by you.”

I patted his shoulder. “Sounds good, man. See you in a bit.”

I approached the bar, sidling up to a short woman in a long gold dress. I turned to look at her only to discover who it was.

“Daphne, hi,” I said, surprised. “You made it?”

She turned, giving a timid smile. “Yeah. I mean, if I didn’t make it, I think Mum would have disowned me.”

I chuckled and ordered a drink while she hung around. Daphne was cheerful, but reserved. The gown clung to her in all the right places. I hated myself for noticing it, but it was hard to ignore her. She was still a smoke show.

As if sensing my stare lingered too long, she blurted, “My husband came, too, of course. He’s taking a few days off—a miracle, really.”

She nodded in Chandler’s direction.

“Ah, sure” I took my drink from the bartender and stepped back. “Kristy is on her way. She had a makeup snafu.”

“Cool, cool.” Daphne nervously looked off in the distance.

I turned where she looked and saw Chandler approach. While the man always smiled, it appeared fake. I wondered if anything about him was ever genuine. Daphne bristled as he wrapped his arm around her waist possessively. I didn’t like this man and sensed something was off. Of course, Daphne would neveradmitit.

“Hello. You’re… Cal?” Chandler asked.

“Yes,” I said. “David’s business partner. And you’re Daphne’s mysterious husband?”

The prick chuckled nervously. “Mysterious? No!”

“You never visit with her.” I sipped my drink.

“Well, I’m a busy man. And she is, too—for now. Maybe in the next year she’ll have a reason to slow down?” He winked at his wife. She flushed red even in the low light. “I need another drink, darling. And since you didn’t offer?—”

“You were busy chatting with Aunt Anita. I—” Before Daphne finished, he was gone.

She sighed, annoyed. “Sorry.”

“Are you about to change jobs?” I asked.

“No,” Daphne looked down at the ground. “We’re trying… for a baby. And… he thinks once I get pregnant, I will want to stay home.”

I cocked my head. “Is that what you want, Daphne?”

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