Page 18 of Wicked Games
My gut told me it wasn’t a ruse, but I couldn’t trust myself when it came to him. Lucien had blinded me with lust when we first met, took advantage of my loneliness on our second encounter, and three weeks ago… I couldn’t let my mind go there. I’d done everything possible to ignore the memories of hitting him then fucking him in his hotel room. I wasn’t proud of my behavior that day. I couldn’t let myself think about our tear-stained faces and salty kisses either.
“Mmmm. These shortbread biscuits are delicious,” Lucien said, breaking into my thoughts. “I didn’t expect to find them this good outside the United Kingdom.”
“Betty’s grandmother is British, and she taught her the traditional ways of baking and cooking. My family reaps the benefit of her knowledge.” Mother patted the sofa like an idea just occurred to her. “Why don’t you join us for dinner, Inspector. Beef Wellington and Yorkshire puddings are on the menu.”
I stared intently at Lucien, willing him to look my way so I could silently communicate what a bad idea it was for him to stay for dinner. He ignored me and washed down his cookie with a drink of coffee. “I really shouldn’t.”
“Oh, but you should,” Mother countered.
“Let’s see how you feel about it after we’ve finished the interview.”
“We have nothing to hide, Inspector,” Mother said, patting my knee.
Lucien finally looked at me. The cookie crumbs in his fake mustache ruined his austere expression. I lifted my hand and brushed my finger over my upper lip, and he quickly wiped his mouth with the linen cloth Mother had handed to him with a plate of cookies. I wanted to find humor in the ridiculous situation, but too much was at stake for me. It was clear my reinstatement wasn’t happening anytime soon, and no other museum would hire me after this third strike.
Then the solution came to me. I would use Lucien like he’d used me. I would find what I needed to restore my reputation then turn him over to the FBI.
“Isn’t that right, dear?” Mother asked me.
“I’m sorry, Mother. I tuned out for a brief second and didn’t hear what you said.”
She narrowed her eyes in concern. “I was telling Inspector Somersby that Daniel Perez was the most likely suspect.”
“I’m sure Perez has said the same about us, Mother.” I looked at Lucien and played along with his game. “Let me guess, when you interviewed the esteemed director, Perez claimed my mother was the only reason he hired me. He stated he knew it was a bad idea because of my history but did it anyway.” I put my finger over my lips and pretended to think. “He said it was either because he had so much respect for my mother or she pressured him to do it. Perhaps he worried about losing the huge amount of money my family donates to the museum each year.”
“Something like that,” Lucien said with a smirk. “You’ve been giving this some thought.”
“I have too much time on my hands and very little to do since my suspension.”
“You went out on a date with a lovely young man this weekend,” Mother said. Oh boy. Lucien’s eyes darkened, and his nostrils flared. He didn’t like the notion of me dating someone else, eh? Too bad.
I nodded my head. “True, and I plan to see him again this weekend,” I lied.
“Really?” Mother asked hopefully. “You didn’t tell me.”
“We haven’t finalized our plans.” I should feel ashamed for getting my mother’s hopes up, but seeing the possessive gleam in Lucien’s eyes temporarily made me forget my sanity.
“I’m so happy to hear it, Ryder. After I found out you were staying for dinner, I acted hastily and invited Ezra and his parents to join us.”
“Um, what?” I asked, whipping my head around to stare at my mother. Was that a soft chuckle I heard coming from Lucien’s direction? I didn’t dare look at him. “You invited them, and now you’re inviting Inspector Somersby. Is Betty prepared for these extra guests?”
“Of course,” Mother said, rolling her eyes. “I’d already discussed it with her before the Inspector arrived. Simone’s call was the important one I took before joining you.”
Simone was Ezra’s mother. She and my mother went back a long way but hadn’t seen each other in twenty years. Simone and Paul moved back to Cincinnati recently because Ezra had accepted a teaching job at the University of Cincinnati the previous year. My parents hosted a dinner party the previous week to welcome them back, and I liked Ezra right away. He was handsome, funny, and uncomplicated. I asked him on a date without my mother’s prodding, which she took as a good sign. We went to dinner then a movie and had a great time, but neither of us felt a spark between us. We both agreed we could always use another friend and exchanged numbers.
“I don’t want to impose,” Lucien said, looking uncomfortable. “In fact, why don’t we continue with the interview, so I can let you nice folks get back to your evening.”
“Sounds good,” I said, even though I liked the idea of making him jealous.
“It doesn’t sound good at all. I’d love for you to join us, and I promise you won’t be intruding,” Mother said.
“We’ll see how the interview goes,” Lucien said noncommittally. “Back to Perez…”
“The board of trustees hired Daniel Perez two years ago,” Mother said. “It wasn’t a unanimous vote. Personally, I didn’t care for the man while everyone else thought he could walk on water because of his tenure at the Smithsonian.”
“The Smithsonian?” Lucien asked, sitting up taller.
“You mean you didn’t know?” Mother asked. “How is that possible? It’s usually the first thing he tells you upon introduction. He’s the most pompous man I’ve ever met, and believe me, I’ve known many in my lifetime.”