I bounce my eyebrows a few times. Time to give them their next piece in the puzzle, but this one will hopefully lead them into a trap. “It’s Aristotle, Mr. Hathaway. My middle name is Aristotle.”
Mr. Hathaway reaches into his wallet and pulls out the riddle I penned mere days ago, with my initials all but completely erased from the bottom. He deduces quickly that I’m the one who wrote it. I deny having any idea of what they’re talking about, but I ensure my tone is laced with just enough playfulness that they stay on the line.
Miss Wonder then realizes that I placed the cards in her purse as an additional hint. She is not correct about when I dropped them, but I don’t tell her this. All that matters is she knows the intent behind them.
I need to lead them deeper into the rabbit hole.
If only?—
Heavens above! Mr. Hathaway pulls out a key encrusted with red diamonds, one that I recognize immediately.
Oh, things could not have worked out better than this!
This key was lost long ago. Her Majesty has a few copies of the key to her safe, but this one has been missing for ages, before I even began working at the club. Before Mr. Hathaway came to the club. Back when his father was a member before his untimely death.
I did a little digging when I first started looking into Mr. Hathaway at Her Majesty’s request. I know the late Mr. Hathaway left the current Mr. Hathaway a riddle, one that I was able to decipher immediately but that I did not believe he had the wit to figure out for himself.
The first part of the riddle leads to this key, and the second part leads to the small compartment over the ladies’ room where the server’s tissues are stored temporarily before being distributed to local hospitals. They seem to have only figured out the first part of the riddle, meaning that tonight is the night the two of them must be stopped.
But again, this must be handled delicately.
I widen my eyes in mock shock. “Looks like you found your way down the river of tears, Mr. Hathaway.”
I eventually lead them to the conclusion that the key opens Her Majesty’s safe. They bustle down the mirrored staircase.
And now we wait.
My blood-red radio rings. The grainy voice of Her Majesty. “Chet, there’s a disturbance in the Diamonds section. I’m going to need you to come down.”
My heart leaps. This must be it. Miss Wonder is creating a distraction so Mr. Hathaway can sneak into Her Majesty’s office.
I could simply tell her to go after him now, but?—
She needs to find both of them. And it has to occur organically. If I tell her to look now, she will be suspicious of me. And I can’t lose my job.
I’ll make sure Miss Wonder doesn’t die. I will make arrangements for her to be held at the Caterpillar Hotel—perhaps even in my old room—and convince Her Majesty to keep Mr. Hathaway alive for his political influence. Miss Wonder will be kept alive as a bargaining chip.
They’ll have to be kept there until they break, of course. Likely a month or longer.
It will be a long time to be away from my angel, but it will be worth it.
I descend the mirrored staircase and clamber toward the Diamonds section. Indeed, I was right! Miss Wonder has tousled herself with another young woman—Miss Pia Linnet, a perennial guest of various clubgoers.
Mr. Hathaway is, predictably, nowhere to be seen. But Her Majesty hasn’t noticed. She’s far too entrenched in the scuffle occurring at her feet.
I peel my angel off Miss Linnet’s body. “Miss Wonder, perhaps you should take a moment to cool down.”
“Get off me, Chet!” she growls, trying to wriggle out of my grasp. But I’m stronger than she is, and I clamp down on her body hard. Finally she relents.
“Thank you, Chet,” Her Majesty says. “I was worried that this might get out of hand.” She looks around. “Where did Mr. Hathaway go?”
No. Not yet. I need to set the scene perfectly.
I raise an eyebrow. “I believe he was grabbing Miss Wonder’s coat. They’ll be heading out.” I let go of Miss Wonder and turn to Her Majesty. “But I do need to speak to you for a moment, Rouge. Somewhere private.”
She nods. “My office.”
No. Cannot be there. Not until Miss Wonder is in her position. “I’d rather not meet there. We’ll just go into a private area.” I offer a smile. “It won’t be a moment, I promise you.”
