Page 141 of Sins (The Sins Trilogy 1)
Chapter Sixty-Four
Anthony
I walk inside La Mer for lunch. It’s one of the most fashionable restaurants in the city, but I’ve never been here because it’s owned by one of Ryder’s cousins. As far as I know, they’re pretty tight, and I can’t be certain of my welcome.
But Elizabeth wants to eat here. Her cousins all think she walks on water, and apparently she can get a table any time she wants, bypassing the three-month-long waiting list.
The restaurant’s interior is exactly like what the glossy lifestyle magazines and TV features have shown. The walls are constructed of aquaria filled with tropical fish. The deep, soothing blue makes you feel like you’re surrounded by sea. Combined with the lazy motions of the fish, the interior has a calming, almost meditative effect. I can understand why people come here for the ambiance alone.
The hostess takes me to a private room all the way in the back. Elizabeth’s already seated there with a glass of white wine. She’s dressed in a magenta Chanel—classy and expensive, just like the woman herself. Surprisingly, her Russian guard dog is absent.
“Tony, thanks for seeing me on such short notice,” she says pleasantly.
“No problem,” I say, sitting opposite her.
“Lunch?”
“Sure.”
A sharply dressed waitress materializes, takes our order and vanishes. We sip our drinks and exchange pleasantries while I wonder what this meeting is about. We don’t have the kind of relationship that includes leisurely lunches. I don’t have much to say to her, but she’ll start when she’s ready to broach the reason for this meeting.
Unless… Did her Russian dig up something about Iris? But if there was anything really irregular, Elizabeth could’ve just called. I can’t think of anything that would require a face-to-face chat.
When our lunch is served, she takes a bite of her salmon. My ahi tuna is perfectly seared and sliced. I start eating, projecting a man who has nothing better to do than waste time with her.
After a few more bites and finishing her wine, Elizabeth leans back in her seat. “Tony, what are you planning?”
“Excuse me?”
“I know you don’t like Ryder, but the foundation has nothing to do with him.”
“And…?”
“And he’s married, too. He’s very much in love with his wife.”
I stare at Elizabeth, completely confused. “I’m not sure why he’s relevant.”
“You and I both know you don’t like him.”
“I’m not currently doing anything to sabotage his life. Didn’t he tell you I sent his wife a gift? Well, it was for the baby, really, but…” I shrug.
Elizabeth’s gray eyes narrow. “You sent me a dead woman.”
I sit up straight. My brain’s refusing to process what I just heard. A dead woman. “What did you just say?”
“Iris Smith died nine years ago. Her parents were driving drunk after a piano recital in early fall, and she was in the back seat.”
Apprehension scuttles along my spine like a scorpion. Of all the things I thought her Russian might dig up, this never, ever crossed my mind.
“You’ve…lost me completely,” I manage, my voice hoarse.
Elizabeth’s gaze turns hard. “We run background checks on everyone. She looked clean initially, but Tolyan found some minor inconsistencies. Digging deeper, he discovered Iris Smith from Almond Valley is dead.” Her voice loses all of its warmth. “Now tell me what game you’re playing.”
“I’m not playing a game.” Someone else is. And I have no idea who. Or what the final goal is.
“Then what’s going on?”
“I need to go to the foundation and see Iris.” I start to stand.
Elizabeth gestures at me to sit down. “You can’t. She went to see her uncle to pick up his donation check. I told him it was fine for them to have a long lunch together if he wants.”
My heart thundering in my chest, I explode to my feet. Fucking Sam Peacher! Should’ve ripped him apart when I had the chance.
“Damn you, Elizabeth!” I snarl. “You shouldn’t have done that!”
Eyes wide, she jumps to her feet as well. She reaches out, her fingers brushing my arm. “Tony, you’re scaring me.”
“You think you’re scared?” Shaking her off, I run out.
I have to reach Iris. Now.
