Page 61

I glance to the side and see Jackie, the only friend, as far as I know, that the redhead has.
“Jackie Alston, how are you?”
“That depends on what you’re doing here.”
“I’m not sure I understand your question, miss.”
“Oh, you do. That’s why I’ll be direct: the entire association is overjoyed, not only by your generous donation but by your presence. Don’t use tonight’s dinner for some sort of vendetta.”
“Vendetta?I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Her lips press into a thin line. “I can see how you’re looking at her.”
“Looking at whom?”
“Don’t try to fool me, sir. I doubt a man with red blood in his veins who once possessed Taylor would just forget about her. And the way you devour her with your eyes proves you’re as human as anyone else.”
“Could you get to the point, Miss Alston? I’m not known for liking my time wasted.”
“Fine. Taylor’s back in the country, trying to get her life on track. I know you resent her because of the circumstances. After all . . .”
“Careful. You’re on thin ice, Miss Alston. One phone call and I can revoke my donation.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Don’t assume you know me, Jackie. Now finish what you were saying.”
“Taylor lost her memory.”
“What?”
“You heard me. She doesn’t remember anything except . . .”
“Except what?”
“The time she spent with your father.”
Acid burns down my throat. “How convenient.”
“She doesn’t remember, I swear to you. We visited her family’s graves, and Taylor didn’t even get emotional. In the past, just mentioning her father would reduce her to tears.”
“People change, grow hardened. In any case, Miss Jarvis’s condition is none of my concern.”
“She didn’t stay with him willingly. Your father kept her isolated from the world.”
This time I really do smile. “When we first met, I thought you were a sharper woman, Miss Alston. My father may be many things, but he isn’t a kidnapper. They were out there making stops in populated places, always surrounded by people. All she had to do was make a move, ask for help, and he’d have been arrested.”
“You don’t understand.”
“No, you don’t understand. I don’t give a damn about Taylor’s situation.”
“Taylor? You’re calling her ‘Taylor’ again?”
“Miss Jarvis.”
“I don’t believe you came here for nothing. It’s your first time attending one of our events. This can’t be a coincidence.”
“I never said it was. I have a goal.”