Her eyes go wide. “Don’t be ridiculous. Joe would never get involved in anything so horrendous.”
“If not, he’s in even more danger.”
I’ve heard that Eleanor holds much power in DC and now I see why. She could’ve just blown me off. Instead, she leans against the yellow tiles, sipping her drink, thinking. “Tell me everything.”
“I don’t know much. Thanksgiving night, Jack brought your husband to the Chinese Embassy and overheard a conversation.”
“With the ambassador?”
“No, some other diplomat.”
“What did he hear?”
“Jack wasn’t sure but he thought the blackmailer might have had compromising pictures of your daughter. Whatever it was, it was bad enough for your husband to fold.”
Eleanor paces, shaking her head back and forth. “That explains a lot. He was so passionate and then, poof, let it go. My God, who else knows?”
“Just a few at Patten Securities. You have to talk to your husband before this gets out of hand.”
“I will. Thank you, dear.” She hugs me and shakes my warm hand with hers, cold and clammy. “Don’t worry. I will take care of this. Winslows always do the right thing.”
She straightens her spine, exits the bathroom, and strides across the dance floor without glancing left or right. When she whispers in Joe’s ear, he pales. Then, she leads him to the coat checker. Together, they exit and I wonder if they’ll be back this evening.
I look down at my shaking hand, put my plate on a passing waiter’s tray, and wipe my damp hands on a napkin.
Jack’s had his eyes on me the whole time and now, they’re filled with concern. “What did you say?”
“I told her she should talk to Joe.”
“Jesus. What did she say?”
“She said she’s going to -”
Holy shit.When a familiar face walks past my peripheral vision, I turn, and my fingers clutch Jack’s forearm. “Oh my God. He’s one of them.”
“Who?” His head spins in the direction of my gaze and his eyes narrow. “Him?”
“I nod.”
“Shit. He’s the blackmailer, Mr. Lee. You sure?”
“Couldn’t be surer. That’s the only one I didn’t shoot.”
Jack motions Lucky over. “Take Blake home, now.”
“Wait a minute.” I struggle to get free but Lucky is not a guy to question orders. A clock in the dining room sounds, I hand the girl my coat ticket, and count eleven more gongs before I’m out the door.
At least I didn’t drop a glass shoe.
