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Schön leaned in closer to me. “I don’t know if that’s the case; however, we know Xavier and Pharaoh were siblings. Why would she say she had just one?”
It was just as well I’d put my foot in it because Charlene was very attentive throughout the rest of the meal—to me especially. Given we believed we had a viable DNA sample from Francesca, the more friendly her daughter was, the easier it would be to obtain one from her.
I had an idea and waved my hand around the empty restaurant. “Will you join us?” I asked. “Perhaps for a glass of wine.”
Charlene looked over her shoulder, then nodded. Before taking the empty seat, she walked behind a small bar area and picked up two glasses and an already open bottle of wine.
“Guess we’re invisible,” muttered Rogue with a wink.
“Maybe we should excuse ourselves,” added Schön.
I enjoyed having her near. Enough that when she suggested they leave, I wanted to protest. However, it was a good idea.
“Sorry, Papa. I need to take a nap,” she said, standing and leaning down to kiss my cheek. If I were undercover as Schön’s husband instead of her father, I would’ve turned my head and kissed her lips instead. And that was a dangerous thought.
When she straightened, our eyes met, and I could swear she’d read my mind.
After she and Rogue left, Charlene’s presence was a dash of cold water. As the two of us flirted, I couldn’t help but think of Schön and how being a honey trap felt. My role in trying to get information as well as a DNA sample from the woman who, by all accounts, appeared starved for attention, was similar, and it made me nauseated.
“So just you and your mum run this place?” I asked when she smoothed her hair. “The restaurant?”
“Yes. It is a—how do you say?—ball and chain around my neck.”
“You don’t enjoy it?”
She shook her head. “There is only me to help.”
“No siblings or grandchildren who can pitch in?”
“No.”
“I was an only child too. My parents are both gone, but the responsibility for their care felt like a ball and chain to me too.”
“We had someone who helped, but he is gone now.” Her eyes darkened, but she didn’t appear sad. It was more anger. Which made sense, given it was a stage of grief.
“Gone as in deceased?”
She nodded.
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
Rather than shrug it off, Charlene appeared to dive deeper into her anger. As much as I hoped it would lead to her talking about her brother’s death, it did the opposite. She withdrew.
“I should be off. I’m sorry if I upset you. If I could just pay the tab?”
“Yes.” When she pushed her chair away from the table and stood, I did too.
“I don’t want to be too forward, but may we embrace?”
Her head cocked, but she nodded, and when I opened my arms, she stepped into them. The hug was brief, thankfully. It was one of the most awkward of my life.
I watched her retreat into the kitchen and glanced down at my pullover. There were two long brown hairs stuck to it. I’d been successful in procuring what we needed. I just wondered if it was worth the cost.
After she’d brought the ticket and I’d paid in cash, I lingered for a few moments, listening to the two women arguing even though I couldn’t understand what they were saying.
I turned my back to the kitchen. “Delfino?”
“I’ve got it, sir,” she said. “Transcribing now. The devices Rogue placed in other parts of the dining room are transmitting as well.”
