She tossed him a look. “So’s murder.”
“Good point.”
“So how do we get access to his vehicle?” She tapped the yellow pencil against her cheek. “The parking garage at his office has cameras all over, and way too many security people to get in and out without being seen. I know that development in Turtle Creek. It’s gated, patrolled. Be like getting in and out of Fort Knox. We need some other way.”
Beau ran the notion around in his head. “Linc mentioned Vaughn’s a philanthropist. You found his photo at a charityevent. Linc says Vaughn uses his high-society contacts to promote his loan business. Might be able to use the charity angle somehow.”
Cassidy concentrated, worrying her bottom lip. Since her release from the hospital, she’d been spending her nights in the bedroom next to his. He hadn’t touched her. She was recovering, healing. Even thinking about having sex was a betrayal.
She moved, shifting her thick mane of curls, and he went hard.Damn. He’d vowed to keep his distance, get his emotions back in check, but staying away from her was killing him.
“It’s February,” she said. “There’s a couple of big events going on this month. The Heart Association Benefit and the Children’s Home Valentine’s Masquerade Ball. I saw them mentioned in the paper. Both are happening tonight. If he’s planning to attend one of them, we might be able to get to his vehicle while it’s parked in the lot.”
“How do we find out if he’s on either guest list?”
She smiled. “I’ll find out.”
“What, you’re going to hack into their online system?”
“Of course not. I’m going to call and ask.”
* * *
Cassidy found the website for tickets to the black-tie Heart Association Benefit and called the number. A volunteer answered the phone. “How may I help you?”
“My name is Maryann Jones. I was supposed to buy tickets to the benefit tonight for a friend, but I think he might have already purchased them. Can you check for me?”
“Of course. How do you spell your friend’s name?”
“V-A-U-G-H-N.”
The line went silent as the woman checked. “I don’t see the name anywhere on the list. Shall I get you the tickets?”
“I think I’d better wait, make sure I got the information right. Thanks so much for your help.” Cassidy ended the call and went to the page for the Children’s Home Valentine’s Masquerade Ball.
She used the same routine, but this time the woman refused to give her the information. “This isn’t an open event,” the woman said. “There’s a very exclusive guest list.”
“The person I’m calling for is a friend of Beau Reese. I’m sure Mr. Reese is on your list.” She had no idea if Beau was on the guest list. He was a celebrity with plenty of money. She was just hoping his name would be enough to get the information.
“Beau Reese? The famous race-car driver?”
“That’s him.”
“Well, of course Mr. Reese would be welcome to attend. I’m happy to check, see if his friend has tickets. What’s the name?”
“Malcolm Vaughn.”
“Hang on a minute.” She went off-line, then came back on a few minutes later. “Yes, it looks like Mr. Vaughn has already purchased two tickets for the event.”
Cassidy shot a fist into the air. “Then I’ll need two tickets for Mr. Reese.”
“I’m afraid we only have VIP tickets still available.” Figuring Beau could afford the extravagant price the woman rattled off, and the money was going to a good cause, she reserved two tickets. But she had to call back with a credit card within the hour to hold the reservation.
“Mr. Reese would prefer his attendance be kept anonymous,” she finished.
“Of course,” the woman said.
Cassidy ended the call. The good news was it was a masquerade ball. They’d be wearing costumes and masks, which would cover up the bruises on her face and allowthem to move around freely. It couldn’t be more perfect. Vaughn would never even know they were there.
