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I draw a breath and pick up the phone to call Adalwulf’s office.
His assistant seems to recognize my name. “Yes, Ms. Evans. What can I do for you?”
“I’m calling on behalf of Mr. Blackthroat. He has an eight-figure offer on the Adirondack property, but he’s willing to entertain a competing offer from Mr. Adalwulf this afternoon, provided he brings a certified check.”
The assistant is silent for a half-beat, then she draws a quick breath. “Will you hold for just a moment, Ms. Evans?”
“Yes.”
I wait on hold a full three minutes before she returns and says, “Mr. Adalwulf will send a courier over with an offer this afternoon.”
“Oh, I’m afraid Mr. Blackthroat insists that Mr. Adalwulf deliver it personally.” I’m not sure if that’s true, but Blackthroat wanted to sweat Adalwulf, and I don’t care for the guy, so I’m going to represent my boss’ interests here.
“Please hold.”
Another three minutes passes. “Mr. Adalwulf will bring it personally to Mr. Blackthroat this afternoon.”
“May I tell him what time to expect Mr. Adalwulf?”
“I will call when he leaves the office.”
“Thank you so much.”
* * *
She calls close to five. Adalwulf probably thought he was sweating Blackthroat back, but it’s not like he was in any position to win anything. Blackthroat has something he wants, and now he has to beg for it.
That has to hurt.
I call Brick via intercom to let him know.
“Get my executive team up here for the meeting,” he replies.
I call each of them, and the team streams upstairs looking both gleeful and deadly, like the badass adventure team slow-mo walking away from the explosion.
They’re definitely out for blood. I would pity Adalwulf if I weren’t so firmly on Blackthroat’s side in the matter.
Adalwulf arrives equally padded with courtiers. A half-dozen men enter, all dressed as expensively as their master.
“He’s waiting for you in the conference room.” I extend a polite arm, like a butler. “It’s right this way.”
Adalwulf gives me a raking glance, and his nostrils flare on an inhale as he walks by me.
I follow the men into the conference room and stand politely in the doorway. I already set the fancy glass water bottles at every place, but I look at Blackthroat. “May I get you anything?”
His eyes glint that strange golden glow they sometimes take on in the light. “Stay and take notes.” That amber gaze meets mine, and I understand what he’s asking me.
For some unfathomable reason, Brick Blackthroat finds my presence stabilizing, and he wants me in the room when he deals with his treacherous cousin.
“Of course, sir.”
Adalwulf, who is positioned with his back to me, turns with a leer. He seems to think he knows something about me. About us. He appears almost gleeful now.
What was the secret he mentioned to me that night he was waiting outside?
How did he know I’d come home at that time? My brain suddenly snags on the thread and pulls. I don’t know why I didn’t consider this question at the time. Was he waiting for me? Or was there someone inside the building who told him when I left for the day? Or was he there for another reason?
I find my chair in the corner and sink into it, chewing on this mystery.
