“It couldn’t possibly be due to his charming personality,” I mutter. “Does he treat everyone like a criminal, or was it just my lucky day?”
“What?” Avery chimes in, frowning. “That doesn’t sound like Gabe.”
Nick shakes his head in agreement. “No, it doesn’t. He’s a total professional, the best security person I’ve ever had on staff. But I’ll grant you, Gabe does insist on running a tight ship.”
“Probably due to his time in the military,” my brother says, then glances at me to explain. “Before coming to work for us, he served in combat overseas in Afghanistan.”
“A former soldier? I can’t say I’m surprised,” I reply. “Seems like he’d make an excellent drill sergeant.”
Andrew gives me an amused look. “This coming from the girl who used to line up her Barbie dolls for outfit inspection every morning before she left for school? You’ve been a Type A natural-born boss from the time you could talk, Evie.”
I have to admit he’s right. Aside from a short period of time when we both know how deeply I lost sight of myself, I’ve always preferred to be the one in charge. Istill do.
“As for Gabe’s service record, it’s stellar,” Nick interjects. “Enlisted when he was twenty and deployed straight to a combat zone. From there, he rose up the ranks in record time to sergeant first class leading an infantry platoon fighting in the center of some of the worst action. He came home with a chest full of medals, including the Silver Star and a Purple Heart.”
“Just to name a few,” Andrew says, a sober tone creeping into his deep voice.
I tell myself I’m not impressed with Gabriel Noble’s apparently heroic time in the service, even though I am. I’m curious too. But that doesn’t excuse the fact that he seemed to enjoy adding to my stress today.
“Maybe you ought to send him to public relations training,” I suggest, giving my brother a flat stare.
Nick smirks. Andrew starts to say something I’m sure will be a further argument for the defense, but he’s interrupted by Lily’s soft clearing of her throat behind him.
“Excuse me, everyone,” she says, then glances not at Nick or Andrew, but at me. “Ms. Beckham, I have a call for you from L’Opale on hold at my desk.”
My brother looks at me, and I can feel his shrewd gaze analyzing me in the moment before he speaks. “Why would they be calling you here instead of on your cell?”
Although I know full well, I give him a vague shrug as I step away from the group. I follow Lily back to her workstation and she hands me the phone. “Hello?”
“Hey, Evelyn. It’s Megan. I’m so glad I caught you.”
The perky college student is one of several front-of-the-house sales consultants who work at the boutique. “Hi, Meg. What’s up?” I take the cordless receiver and walk toward the elevator bank for a bit of privacy. “Is anything wrong at the shop?”
“No. No, everything’s good here. Um, I just wanted to let you know I found your purse.”
Thank God. I release a pent-up breath, relief washing over me. “Where was it?”
“Inside one of the lingerie drawers just outside the dressing rooms.”
“What? That’s impossible.” I’m stunned. More than that, I’m confused as hell. “How on earth did it end up there?” I ask, keeping my voice quiet. “Someone must’ve taken it out of my office. Is this someone’s idea of a joke?”
“I’m sorry, Evelyn, I don’t know anything more. All I can tell you is I was straightening bras in the everyday collection to get ready for closing in another hour, and when I opened one of the drawers, there it was.”
I shake my head, trying to make sense of what I’m hearing. I don’t want to think that one of my coworkers could be responsible—or any of our customers who’d been in the boutique today—but I know damn well that’s the only way the clutch could have ended up anywhere outside my private office.
“What about my wallet? Is it still there? Does it look like anything’s missing?” I ask Megan, my mind churning as fast as my words. “What about my phone?”
“I can check for you if you’d like,” she offers. “Hang on a sec.”
I wait, glancing over my shoulder to where Andrew is watching me while conversing with Avery and Nick. Megan comes back on the line a moment later.
“Your wallet and phone are both here. I can’t tell forsure, but it doesn’t seem like anything’s been taken.”
“All right. I’m heading back in a few minutes. Will you do me a favor and hold it for me until I get there?”
“Yeah, of course.”
“Thanks, Meg.”
