Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 91212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
My hand flutters over the silk robe hanging in my closet before I pull it from the hanger.
"Another trip away?"
Feeling guilty, I swivel in the direction of the voice, sparing a genuine smile for Faye.
The woman has been part of our household staff since before I was born, and, if anything, she's more grandmother than employee. I just adore her, even when she's being nosy.
"I have a business trip."
"You never were a very good liar," she says, shuffling into the room and taking a seat at the ornate vanity mirror where I apply my makeup each morning. "How long has it been since a man saw you in that thing?"
My cheeks heat without even looking down at the robe in my hands.
"Never."
She shakes her head. "Lies. All lies."
There's no anger or irritation in her voice, but I can guess what's coming before she even speaks. The woman is always on me to find a man, as if she didn't live her entire life without one.
"I'm heading to DC," I explain. "I'm helping look for Sadie."
"Now," she says, pointing at my face. "There's some truth in that. That sister of yours has always been the best liar I ever met, and that's saying something, considering the number of politicians I've served coffee to downstairs over the years."
"Do you think I'm wasting my time looking for her?"
Faye pulls in a deep breath before speaking. "Sadie has been a troubled girl for so long, sweet child. I don't know that if she were standing right in front of you if you could consider her found. Some people stay lost forever."
Her eyes cloud as if she's thinking of something else, but she doesn't whisper about times past or things she has had to deal with in her own life.
"Maybe getting out of town for a while is a good idea. You seem sad, sweet child, and I hate it when you're sad."
She grunts when she stands, the effort required clear in the lines on her face, but she doesn't complain about pain or getting old, before shuffling right back out the door.
Mr. Yarrow complained that I'd only be in his way, that I risked ending up exactly like Sadie if I stuck my neck out while they were investigating her disappearance, but I can't help but see my opportunity to help. I can probably go places he'd look suspicious just because I'm a woman. As much as it disgusts me, there are certain lines that aren't supposed to be crossed in society.
I'm the fairer sex, the weaker sex, according to some. I'm less of a suspect.
He can use me. I know he can. Besides, staying here and doing nothing is driving me crazy. The man may not want me to put my nose in the middle of his investigation, but if he wanted me to stay out of it, he should've worked harder and faster.
Chapter 15
Ace
I knew before I left her hotel room the other night that I wasn't going to be rid of Cora Preston.
I was alerted half an hour ago that she used a credit card to buy gas halfway between here and Columbia, South Carolina, telling me that she was on her way back here, despite me telling her to stay away.
At this point, I don't know if she can even help herself. She's a fixer, someone who wants to help solve problems, but this isn't something she can provide assistance on. This isn't a non-profit or a fucking dinner party.
This is the trenches, where incredibly bad shit happens at the drop of a dime just because someone had a bad day and they needed someone else to take it out on. She doesn't have the skill set nor the staying power to get involved here. I know I'm going to have to make sure she knows this time just how fucking dangerous this sort of shit can be. It's time the rose-colored glasses are pulled from the woman's face.
I knew she had no sense of self-preservation when she walked up and knocked on the door at Daydreamer's, but watching her stride into the hotel she stayed at last time without bothering to take in the area around her tells me she has no clue just how dangerous the world is.
It doesn't matter that her sister is missing. I'm sure she thinks Sadie's choices in life landed her wherever she may be, and by not making those unsafe decisions, she's safe. Her wholesome life keeps her out of danger, and the woman couldn't be further from the truth.
She had to have left Columbia mid-afternoon to put her here just after eleven in the evening, and I can see as she thanks the man behind the desk and heads toward the elevator that she's had a full day and is tired from her travels.