When Jude had texted, asking if she could meet him and Dixon here, she'd immediately responded with a barrage of questions. He'd been reticent to say much more. Consequently, her brain had run rampant through anxious possibilities.
Did this have to do with Scent-sible? If Cedric had changed his mind and regained interest in selling the secrets, Cedric would’ve told her first. Wouldn't he?
Was Dixon calling her and Jude to a meeting to officially announce that their operation was over and that Jude had been fired?
Could Dixon be calling them in to lecture them?
Was he calling them in to say that Jude was being transferred to an office far away?
She rounded the final corner to her destination on foot and saw Dixon and Jude waiting for her in the same spot as before next to a black Suburban. As always lately, her heart swelled at the sight of Jude. Forget exercise and chocolate. Jude was the best source of endorphins.
He wasn't wearing work clothes in the older man’s presence, which was odd. He had on the same type of clothing he'd been wearing since they'd put him on leave—today, jeans and a navy T-shirt. He watched her approach with all of his usual affection, but she also detected a guardedness in his face that she hadn't seen for quite some time. Was he bracing for bad news? Trying to warn her silently?
“Hello, Ms. Clare,” Dixon said as she came to a stop before them.
“Hello.” Animosity toward him over how he'd treated Jude turned inside her like the Death Star ofStar Warsfame. But she knew better than to let that show. This was Jude's boss, not hers. His work relationships were his to navigate.
“Your cousin Cedric,” Dixon told her, “contacted Jude today and reinstated his interest in selling the secrets behind Rhapsodie.”
“Oh?” She looked between them inquiringly. “I’m surprised. I would’ve expected him to reach out to me first in relation to selling the secrets.”
“From my perspective,” the older man replied, “it makes sense that he chose to communicate directly with Jude. You introduced Jude to Cedric, which gave Jude immediate credibility in Cedric's eyes. But now that Cedric is ready to do business, it's understandable that he wants to keep you and every other family member in the dark about the transaction. The more people who know, the more dangerous for Cedric. Far better, from his point of view, for you to think that he changed his mind and never pursued selling the secrets.”
“So I won't be involved in the operation from here on out?” Gemma asked.
“You can assist as an advisor to us on Cedric, which is why I called you here today.”
She cut a peek at impassive Jude before looking back to Dixon. “How can I help?”
“Cedric will be meeting with Jude to make the purchase two days from now in Midtown Manhattan. He proposed they meet at his hotel but refused to reveal the name of his hotel. Do you know where in New York Cedric typically stays?”
“Yes. He and his parents and grandparents always had a fondness for The Plaza. Back in the day, they were very loyal to it. Then fifteen or so years ago, they started staying at The Lowell, which is smaller and has more of a boutique feel. The last time I met up with Cedric in New York he was staying at a very modern hotel . . .” She'd joined Cedric there for drinks once. She racked her brain. “I can’t recall its name, but it has a central atrium. It’s a new building, not historic. Here. I can look it up—”
“Allow me.” Jude tapped his phone screen. “The Mod?”
“That doesn’t ring a bell. May I see pictures?”
He handed over his phone and she glanced through images of The Mod. “No, this one isn’t right.”
He brought up more options. None were right.
Finally, on the fourth try, she recognized the photos. “Yes. This is the one where he stayed. Henry House.”
“Excellent,” Dixon said. “That's helpful. What else can you tell me about his travel preferences when in New York City? How does he get around? Spend his time? Are there any restaurants he prefers?”
Gemma relayed every piece of information she knew, surprising herself with the quantity of it.
Dixon listened. Jude took notes on his phone.
“Thank you,” Dixon told her when he'd exhausted his questions. “Agent Camden and I will be leaving for New York immediately. It's of utmost importance that you have no contact with Jude whatsoever and that he have no contact with you over the next several days until this operation has reached its conclusion.”
The words impacted her like a fist to the lungs. No contact? While Jude was risking himself to meet with Cedric and Vincent?
“It will be fine.” Solemn lines etched Jude's forehead. It didn't look to her like he really believed no contact would be fine.
“I can come to New York,” she said quickly to Dixon. “I can be an advisor to you there regarding Cedric.”
“No,” Jude said.
