‘He asked me to check some delivery manifests,’ she replied smoothly, holding my gaze. The explanation sounded plausible.Tooplausible.
‘Right,’ I said, ‘thanks.’ I backed out of the office, pausing at the doorway, unsure whether to close the door behind me. In the end, I left it open – just a crack – and headed back to Niki’s office.
‘Hiya, me again,’ I said, feigning cheeriness.
‘What’s up?’
‘Just wondering where Julian’s villa is? He’s not in his office so…’
‘Oh, uh…’ She suddenly looked stricken, as if I’d asked for the password to his bank account or something – also odd. ‘Is he expecting you? Did you have a meeting or something?’
Niki was gatekeeping. What the hell was going on?
‘Not exactly. But Julian won’t mind if I show up unannounced, I promise.’
She still seemed unconvinced, licking her lips before trapping them between her teeth.
‘How about this? You give me directions, and if hedoesmind, I’ll tell him I found it on my own.’
She sighed. ‘Yeah, okay.’
I got the directions, but I couldn’t ignore how guarded Niki had been. I hadn’t known her long, but it seemed out of character. Maybe Tommy wasn’t the only staff member who suspected something untoward was going on.
Well, it was time to find out.
As I walked uphill along meandering paths, I contemplated the best approach with Julian. If I came right out and asked if everything was all right, he’d likely fob me off with vague reassurances. No, I’d have to be more strategic.
Then it came to me.
I’d tell himIwas embroiled in a professional arrangement that had sprouted more red flags than summer has dandelions. Then I’d ask for his guidance about how to disentangle myself.
Fingers crossed that Julian would see the parallels to his situation – whatever it was – and seekmycounsel. Then I could help him. Or at least convince him to seek help elsewhere. Perfect.
At the top of the hill, I passed a sign that readPrivate Property, then Julian’s villa came into view. I stopped to gawp at its magnificence, then climbed the front steps and knocked on the wooden door, a twin to my villa’s.
‘Come in,’ Julian called out, his voice muffled by the door.
I pushed it open, peeking around it. Good god, Julian’s villa was palatial!
‘Ally!’ he exclaimed, leaping off a sofa the size of a bus. ‘Good morning!’
He broke into a sort-of jog across the expanse of the lounge room, joining me in the entry. Clearly delighted to see me – the grin and the twinkle in his eyes gave him away – he grabbed me by both shoulders and planted a fat kiss on my cheek. I searched his face for any hint of strain, a shadow of worry, but there was nothing. If Julian was on the brink of disaster, he was hiding it well.
I looked about for Dale, but he must have already left.
‘Come in, come in,’ said Julian, turning away from me and beelining for the kitchen. ‘I was just about to make coffee – would you like one? And there are pastries from the restaurant,’ he added before I had a chance to reply.
I wandered over, pulled out a stool at the breakfast bar, and climbed onto it. Not an easy feat for someone of my stature, and Julian tossed me an amused look as I slid my arse onto the seat. I studied him further for signs of stress, but he seemed genuinely relaxed.
I eyed the plate on the counter, piled high with pastries. After Trudy had erupted into laughter, incredulous that I’d been married to both Tommy and Julian, I’d abandoned my breakfast. So, now I wasveryhungry.
‘Yes, please – to coffee and abougatsa.’
His eyebrows leapt.
‘Did I say that right?’
‘You did.’
