I nod. “Yeah, I’ve heard them myself but I investigated where the noise was coming from, rather than making myself believe the house was haunted. The diary is mind-blowing. When I arrived here, I was led to believe that Laura was a loving wife and mother and her diary tells me a completely different story.”
“So, you figure the diary is going to give you answers, because all it will do is ruin lives? You know that, right?” He raises one eyebrow. “Jack won’t be happy if he discovers you’ve been digging into his past. You’re just about accusing him and me of murder. How long do you believe your marriage will last if he figures you don’t trust him?”
I can see his point but it doesn’t stop me from wanting to know what happened the night Laura died. “I need to know the truth. Someone on that yacht murdered Laura.”
“Do you want to know what I believe happened that night? I figure she jumped. It would be the ultimate insult to Jack.” He shrugs. “You should destroy the diary before Jack finds out and it comes back to kick you in the butt.”
THIRTY-EIGHT
I enjoy the tour of the building. Jack has given his employees every comfort in the massive metal and glass building. As I enter his office suite, I’m impressed with the layout. Julia, his secretary, sits out in front of two closed office doors and an open door to a conference room. Bronze metal plates tell me that one office belongs to Jack and the other to Ruby. I walk right up to the desk. “I’m Mrs. Hunter. Can you please tell Jack that I’m here?”
She doesn’t acknowledge my request but picks up the phone, presses a button and avoids my gaze.
“Mrs. Hunter is here.” Julia replaces the receiver and moves her attention back to her computer screen.
How rude. A door opens and Ruby smiles at me. “How did you enjoy your tour?” She waves me inside her office. “Come in and take a seat. Can I get you anything? Coffee, water?”
I ignore the seat she is trying to make me sit in and look at her. “No, thanks. I did enjoy the tour. The building is very impressive.” I glance over one shoulder. “Jack is expecting me for lunch; maybe I should wait outside?”
“Lunch?” Ruby scans her tablet. “He hasn’t made any plans for lunch today. Maybe you were mistaken? He is very busy withclients all day. Most times he just orders in sandwiches and eats them between appointments. I believe I mentioned on Saturday that taking the weekend off would mean he’d have double work on Monday?”
I recall no such thing. “Well, perhaps I’ve been mistaken. Can you point the way to the bathroom please?”
She gives me directions and I slip out into the hallway. I use the facilities but while I’m there I send a text to Jack informing him that I’m waiting in Ruby’s office to go to lunch. Maybe he made the booking himself and forgot to tell Ruby? He doesn’t reply but I guess if he’s in a meeting he wouldn’t be looking at his phone. I head back to Ruby’s office and knock on the door and then enter. “I’ll wait here and try to catch Jack between his meetings.”
“I’m afraid you may have a long wait.” Ruby scrolls through files on her tablet. “We’ve been flat out all day.” She leans back in her chair and stares at me. “It’s like this most times.”
I feel I need to say something. “Has Jack mentioned searching for a new house? We were thinking something more modern and overlooking the beach. He was going to contact the local Realtors to see what’s available. It will be very exciting looking at new homes, don’t you agree?”
“Really? How strange.” Ruby gives me an incredulous look. “Only just this morning he approved the renovations on the house. Why would he bother if he’d decided to move? Unless he wants to modernize it for you. You enjoy interior design, I believe?” She taps her nails on the desktop and chews on her bottom lip.
I look at her. “Yes, it was an option we discussed.”
“I honestly can’t imagine Jack wanting to leave Beauford Manor. It’s a status symbol around these parts. Moving to a different estate would make people believe his business isfailing.” She clears her throat. “I’ll ask him about it. He usually values my advice.”
Her advice about what? I know Ruby is indispensable to Jack. She runs his day so he doesn’t have to think about it but it’s our decision if we move or not. Is she implying that she would advise him not to move? Or have I got it all wrong? I push my mind back to what Jack said to me. He did mention moving, didn’t he, or has my desire to leave Beauford Manor twisted my memory? I give myself a mental shake. Maybe Ruby is gaslighting me. I’m new in her world and she hasn’t quite worked me out yet. “Do you really believe that? I’m sure there are other huge estates more suitable to our needs.”
“This company is what I guess you’d call from old money. It has generations of Hunters behind it and carries a reputation of trust.” Ruby gives me a withering look. “Our clients expect certain standards. Moving is change and they don’t like change. Personally, I’d advise him not to move, for the sake of the company.” She looks at me, and her eyebrows raise. “Are you sure he mentioned purchasing another estate? Maybe you should ask him to clarify the situation?” She shakes her head slowly and looks at me as if I’m in need of guidance. “I imagine everything is overwhelming for you and it’s easy to misinterpret Jack’s intentions. He did mention the tour but if there’d been a lunch date, he’d have asked me to make the reservation and I’m afraid he didn’t. I’m sure he’ll explain when you see him.”
I suddenly feel very young, like a kid in the principal’s office. I guess she means well but I’m not Laura and forgetful isn’t in my vocabulary. I know darn well that Jack asked me to go to lunch with him after I finished my tour. It washissuggestion, not mine. Has he really forgotten? I guess I’ll find out soon enough. I cross my legs and lean back in my chair. “I’m sorry to interrupt your work. Don’t worry about me, I’ll just wait untilJack’s meeting is over and then I’ll have a few words with him before I go home.”
She looks away and I glance at my watch. It’s almost one. I soon hear voices in the foyer and Jack pokes his head around the door. I’m so glad to see him, I jump to my feet. “There you are. Ruby has been keeping me company.”
“We can walk to the bistro from here.” Jack flashes me a white smile and holds out his hand. He glances at Ruby. “I’ll be back in time for my two-thirty.”
“I don’t have lunch with Mrs. Hunter on your schedule.” Ruby sends him a disapproving glare. “I have already ordered you sandwiches.”
“I’m sure you’ll enjoy them.” Jack grins at her and tugs me toward the door.
In the elevator I turn to him. “She doesn’t seem too happy that you’re escaping for lunch. Does she schedule your bathroom breaks as well?”
“Just about.” He leads the way out of the building and we walk along a busy street until we come to a bistro. “I would have mentioned it to her but she would find a reason for me to stay in the office.” He sighs and pulls open the door. “I understand why she needs to be kept informed of my movements; she likes to fit as much into one day as possible.”
I can see Ruby is indispensable to him and the running of the office. I push her to the back of my mind and walk through the door. The moment we step inside, a waiter comes forward and takes us to a table. It’s obvious that Jack is a regular customer. I inhale and my stomach rumbles in anticipation. The bistro has the wonderful aroma of fresh coffee laced with the mingled sensory delights of foreign spices and baking. I glance around at the cozy tables, each with a pristine white tablecloth. A low mumble of conversation winds its way around us along with the clink of polished silver tableware. I glance at the menu and myheart misses a beat at the prices. I could feed myself for a week for the price of lunch here.
“Is there a problem?” Jack’s eyes narrow. “If there’s nothing you like, I can ask the chef to prepare something else.”
I smile at him. “It all looks wonderful. What do you recommend?”
