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Grayson pulled onto a freshly paved driveway. “Seems our host has spared no expense.”
The parking area sported some of the most expensive sports cars around, which seemed odd being that the estate was out in the middle of the boondocks. Not many people drove Ferraris and Aston Martins up on Red Rock Mountain. It was a rare sight indeed.
Masonwanderedaroundthegrand hall, a champagne flute in one hand as he chatted with his guests. He’d spent a small fortune on the party, but it was worth it. Fresh flowers adorned the tables. A string quarter—the epitome of musical sophistication—performed an intimate conversation, each musician skillfully expressing their instruments own voice and charm. Such a contrast to the cacophony that passed for music these days. Electronic dissonance with no emotion or skill. It was like measuring a meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant against one at a fast food chain. There simply was no comparison.
When the front door swung open, and the butler took the invitations from the men standing there, Mason stepped forward to greet his guests of honor.
He took Jenna’s hand into his own and raised it to his lips. “A pleasure to formally meet you, Mrs. Garrison. You look radiant this evening.”
The woman nodded a greeting with a polite thanks and stepped closer to her husband. Grayson must’ve trained her well. She understood her place. Maybe he’d misjudged the older of the two Garrison boys, he might have more backbone that Mason had credited him with.
Mason turned to Gavin’s date. The sweet little thing he’d seen with him at the Fisher Fine Arts Library. Must be serious if she was with him again tonight. He lifted her hand to his lips as he had with Jenna’s, but she stiffened at the move. “You must be Samantha. Your name was on the RSVP with Gavin’s. Lovely to meet you.”
He turned to the men effectively dismissing the women from the conversation. “So good of you to come. I trust the drive was uneventful?”
“Other than the deer that darted out in front of us, all was fabulous.”
“Those are the perils of country roads, I’m afraid. But the location cannot be beat for it’s beauty and historic significance.”
“Is that right? You’ll have to share some of that history with us. I’d love to hear more.” Gavin said. “Thank you for the invitation, Mr. Kennedy. We’re honored to be among your guests tonight.”
Grayson grinned and took a step away to grab an hors d'oeuvre from a waiter walking by.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Gavinscannedtheroomhoping to spot Wade again. The last he’d seen him had been thirty minutes earlier when Grayson had snagged a smoked salmon roll from his tray shortly after they’d arrived. At first he thought his brother came hungry, then he realized who it was balancing the tray on his shoulder.
After spotting him, he watched as he moved around the room with a tray of Caprese Skewers. The cherry tomatoes with fresh mozzarella looked delicious, but he was here to work. Wade held out the tray before passing by, so he snatched one. Might as well indulge his palette. It would give him some sustenance in case things went awry later. He followed his friend as he made his way down a hall and set the tray on table before turning into a room. As Gavin approached, Wade dragged him inside.
“You pulled me into a bathroom?”
“Thought it might be a safe place to speak where we wouldn’t be disturbed.”
“Any chance you found the girls?”
“Would I still be serving hors d'oeuvres if I had?”
“Unlikely.” Gavin frowned. “What can you tell me?”
“The staff are afraid to say much. It’s like they know that it’s not just their jobs on the line if they say the wrong thing. There are cameras everywhere. Even in strange locations like the wine cellar and the library. They even put them in the kitchen and the pantry area being used for flower arranging.”
“Odd, but some people go crazy with security cameras, yours truly included.”
“True enough. Something else seemed odd. I think the room dimensions are off.”
“You mean there are hidden passageways like the Fisher Fine Arts Library?” He laughed.
“I don’t know anything about that library other than what you and Gray mentioned about it the other day, but I did notice that this building seems too big for what’s on the inside despite how expansive these rooms may seem. I’m no carpenter, but something feels off. I can’t exactly pull out a tape measure to check, but I thought it was worth noting that something is wonky. Also, that symbol for the Continental Alliance you showed me has found it’s way into several places in here. Take a look at the crown moldings when your return to the main hall.”
“Will do. Thanks for the tip.”
“Also, that guy whose house you and Sam were watching, Ted Roberts, the one you claim was messaging Emmaline through Facebook?”
“Yeah?”
“He works here in security.”
“Can you point him out?”
