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“A ball, madam?”
“Yes. A ball. Like the ones we had ages ago. It’s a celebration. My daughter has been found,” she said, staring at the staff.
“She’s been found?” asked one of the maids.
“Yes, Patricia. Found. As in, we know she’s alive and well. I’ll be throwing a ball. Invite everyone.”
“Yes, madam.”
Claudia turned and walked toward her office, holding her head up and her shoulders back. She knew it would be a shock for everyone. She hadn’t entertained in years, and balls were very much out of fashion.
She didn’t care.
Seated at her desk, she dialed the number she’d been given by the people who’d visited her initially about her daughter.
“I’d like to speak with Gaspar Robicheaux, please,” she said crisply.
“May I say who’s calling?” asked Code.
“Claudia St. Martine.”
She waited patiently as she was placed on hold. With pen and paper, she began to scribble out all the details of what she believed would make a successful ball.
Entertainment. There should be a wonderful band or perhaps a quartet. No. No, young people didn’t like quartets any longer. Should they wear gowns or just cocktail dresses? Tuxedos? No, that seemed too formal.
Food. She’d focus on the food. It was the one thing she knew something about. Meats, fish, and cheeses of all varieties, and more pastries than you could possibly find in the world.
Everyone who was anyone would know about this amazing event and be present. Everyone.
“Hello, this is Gaspar Robicheaux,” said the voice.
“Ah, yes. The young man with fourteen siblings.”
“Yes, ma’am. That’s me.”
“I’d like to meet my daughter. I’d like for her to come to France, with a guest, if she prefers.
She can stay at my chateau, where I’ll be throwing a large ball in her honor.
We must announce to everyone that she’s been found, and I’m delighted to introduce her to the world. A few years late, but nevertheless.”
“Why the sudden change of heart?” he asked suspiciously.
“A woman reserves the right to change her mind,” she said calmly. “I’ve thought a great deal about this situation. About the past. I’d like to die knowing that I’ve met my daughter and everything has righted itself.”
“I see. And when would this soiree be scheduled?”
“I’m in the process now. It will take a week or so, even with all the resources that I have.”
“I need to ask Jenna,” said Gaspar.
“Genevieve. Please don’t call her that common name.”
“Ma’am, she is Jenna. She has been for over fifty years. If she wants all of us to call her Genevieve, we’ll do so. But you don’t dictate what that woman is called in public. You lost that right.”
“Young man, I sincerely hope that she doesn’t decide to bring you as her guest,” she said harshly.
“I sincerely hope that she does. Either way, I will be there.”
“I said one guest of her choosing. Surely, you won’t be the one guest.”
“You said one guest. I didn’t agree to that, nor will I. We believe someone is still trying to kill Jenna, and we will be protecting her.”
“Who is we?”
“Her friends. She has a lot of them, and we’re very protective of our sweet Jenna.
So, I will ask her if she wants to come to this party of yours, and if she does, I will notify you.
But let me be perfectly clear. If there is anything that you’re planning that would harm her, I will kill you without a second thought. I have no problem at all doing that.”
“I’m sure you don’t. I’ve known men like you my entire life. I’m quite aware of what you’re capable of.”
“Good. Then we understand one another.”
“Perfectly. But if you’re worried about her, you might want to give the same warning to Lydia Cipriani.”
She hung up and looked up to see one of her bodyguards standing in the doorway.
“Ma’am, he’ll notify Ms. Cipriani. She’ll know that your daughter is alive.”
“Yes.I’m aware.”
Gaspar stared at the phone as if wishing he could jump through it. Cipriani was definitely a part of this plot, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that St. Martine wasn’t innocent in all of it.
He dressed and headed to the office, only to find Ghost, Ian, and Nine already having their coffee.
“What’s up?” asked Ian.
“You’re not going to believe this.”