Chapter 5 - THE WOMAN IN THE SCARLET COAT
Celeste Bain called me Tuesday afternoon.
I almost didn't answer.
Then curiosity won.
“Elise?”
“Yes.”
“This is Celeste. I work with Adrian.”
“I know who you are.”
A pause.
“I hope I'm not interrupting.”
“Not at all.”
Her voice became bright.
“We're organizing a private celebration for the MorganWell leadership team. Adrian mentioned you might be able to help with venue recommendations.”
I looked at the rain beyond my window.
“A celebration?”
“Yes. We're expecting good news about the Vale Harbor partnership.”
“How exciting.”
She laughed.
“It really is. Adrian has worked so hard.”
I closed my eyes.
“I'm sure he has.”
Celeste continued.
“He's been under tremendous pressure. Sometimes I think I'm the only person who understands what he's carrying.”
The words were deliberate.
A small territorial declaration.
I wondered whether she knew I had seen them together.
“Then he's fortunate to have you,” I said.
She paused.
“Yes. I think he is.”
I smiled without warmth.
“Where were you thinking of hosting the celebration?”
“The Vale Harbor Hotel, actually.”
Of course.
“Lovely choice.”
“We were hoping for the presidential residence.”
I went still.
“Why that room?”
“Adrian says it's practically ours already.”
I stared at the wall.
Practically ours.
Not the company's.
Not the hotel's.
Ours.
I took a breath.
“I'm sure the hotel's management can advise you about availability.”
Celeste sounded disappointed.
“I thought perhaps you could make a call.”
I looked at my father's photograph on the desk.
“I could.”
Her tone brightened.
“Wonderful.”
“But I won't.”
Silence.
Then she laughed nervously.
“I'm sorry?”
“I said I won't.”
I ended the call.
An hour later, Adrian called.
“What did you say to Celeste?”
I leaned back.
“Hello to you, too.”
“Elise, she's upset.”
“That's unfortunate.”
“She said you were rude.”
“I declined to arrange a hotel room.”
He sighed.
“Why are you being difficult?”
I looked at the framed photograph of my father.
“Adrian, why does your communications director need me to arrange a private residence for your company's celebration?”
He hesitated.
“Because you're connected to the Vale family.”
I almost laughed.
Connected.
As though I were a distant cousin who might know someone in reservations.
“I see.”
“Don't make this a problem.”
I stared at the phone.
Then said quietly:
“I won't.”
After we hung up, I called Margaret.
“Move the board review forward.”
She paused.
“To when?”
“Thursday.”
“That's aggressive.”
“So is trying to spend money you don't control.”
Margaret was silent.
May you like
Then she said:
“I'll make the arrangements.”
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