Suspects(46)

Mike was coming to see her for four days over the holiday. She hadn’t seen him in three weeks. He checked in with Guy Thomas and Robert Richmond in London regularly, and there was no news. The rumors from Russia had gone dead again. And interestingly, Guy had told him that Pierre de Vaumont was still missing. There was no underground information on that either. No one seemed to know anything about his disappearance, and none of their usual informants had heard anything either. He had vanished without a trace. There was another brief mention of it in the paper, and he was listed as a missing person.

Theo had a mountain of work to do before Mike arrived. She was taking two days off to be with him, which was even harder because they were opening the two pop-up stores the following week, and she had all the final details to approve. She visited the space on the Avenue Montaigne regularly, and it was looking fabulous. They were turning it into a winter wonderland, all done in sparkling white, with ice sculptures and a bar made of ice for the opening party. She was tempted to go this time, but she didn’t want to deal with the press, and have all eyes on her. She was feeling more gregarious since Mike had come into her life, and she was beginning to miss having a social life after fifteen months of solitude. If he had been in town, she would have gone with him, but he was going to be back in New York by then, and she didn’t want to face the press alone. She didn’t know what the press would have made of him. He was a mystery man to the Paris press. She liked it better that way than if she had appeared with some well-known bachelor on the Paris scene. Mike suited her better, he had been in her life for two months by then, and he made her happy.



* * *



—

She had oysters and champagne and caviar waiting for him when he arrived the night before Thanksgiving. She’d ordered a full turkey dinner from the Ritz for them at home on Thanksgiving Day. She was thrilled to see him. He looked tired, as though work had been stressful since she’d seen him last. He never complained when they talked. It wasn’t in his nature, he was always upbeat and wanted to know what she was doing.

“Was your sister upset that you came here for Thanksgiving?” she asked him as he undressed for bed. He looked dead tired after the trip.

“No, she hates holidays and never celebrates them. I always spend it with friends. I want you to meet her when you come to New York. She’s eccentric as hell, but she’s a good soul.” He smiled as he said it, thinking about her. Theo knew only that her name was Fiona and she was an artist.

“She never married?”

He shook his head. “I guess my parents didn’t inspire much faith in the institution.” He grinned sheepishly. “It’s never been a priority for me either, especially with my job.” She nodded and smiled. She had no desire to remarry either. What she had with Mike was enough for now, although she wished they could see each other more often.

She took him to see the location for the pop-up store, and he was stunned by how beautiful it was. He was constantly impressed by how creative and talented and full of innovative ideas she was. She had endless energy, even after the poisoning a month before. She had no ill effects from it, nor did Daniel, which seemed like a miracle to them both after reading about the nerve agents that were currently in use among Russian spies, including the one used on them. Most people died from it, which was usually the intention.

After Theo showed Mike the pop-up store, still in progress, they went to L’Avenue for lunch, and he handed her a thick folder, with a look of pride and excitement.

“What’s this?” she asked him.

“Some security ideas I had for you, for office and home. I told you I’d think about it. I didn’t have a lot of spare time in the last few weeks, but it’s a good start. See what you think.” They were enjoying the lively restaurant, where models and actresses and hookers arrived every few minutes in stunningly sexy outfits, with alligator bags in rainbow colors, fabulous shoes, and exotic furs, and were with men who had paid for them. It was a racy, dazzling crowd and Mike loved it. It was like watching a movie or some kind of show.

Theo looked through the folder and was impressed at the detail he’d gone into. There were drawings and diagrams and explanations, and information on the equipment he suggested, and the number of fail-safe procedures and security men he thought she should have, including an armored safe room. Some of it was already in place, but a lot of it wasn’t.

“Thank you, Mike. I want to read it carefully when I get home. How complicated would it be to implement all that?”

“Not so complicated, but some of the technology and equipment is expensive, but worth the investment. It would protect you and the staff, in your offices, home, and Matthieu’s offices too.” They both agreed that she was a long-term security risk and needed to plan accordingly. The problem wasn’t going to go away. She put the folder in her big black Birkin bag, and he was pleased that she seemed to take it seriously. She was a reasonable person and appreciated the effort he’d put into it.

They did a little shopping on the Avenue Montaigne after lunch, and then went home and made love as they had that morning. Their lovemaking had the benefit of knowing each other well now, and the excitement hadn’t worn off. Their time in bed together was a lovefest of tenderness and passion, and everything they felt for each other just kept growing and getting better.

Their dinner that night, catered by the Ritz, was a perfect Thanksgiving meal, with a few French touches, like delicate Grand Marnier soufflé for dessert, black truffles on the turkey, and foie gras in the stuffing.