“Please forgive me for that oversight.” He smiles regretfully.
“There’s nothing to forgive, Lester.”
“Circling back to your initial question, I did see Mr. Abbott a second time today.” Strategically holding out his hand, he rubs his index finger and thumb together.
Is he silently asking me to pay him for information about Case?
I have seen Drake slip the doormen some money when I’ve visited in the past, so maybe I need to follow that lead. Lester did hold the door open for me.
I fish in the pocket of my jacket. I pull out the five dollar bill I tucked in there earlier and hand it to Lester.
I have no idea if that’s enough to buy me insight into Case’s movements.
Lester closes his hand around the money before he clears his throat. “Mr. Abbott left fifteen minutes ago with the same lovely young woman who visited him last night. While I was arranging for the car to pick them up, I did overhear Mr. Abbott makinga dinner reservation for two at Nova for seven o’clock this evening.”
Nova.
It’s one of the most expensive restaurants in the city.
“He let me know that he’d see me tomorrow, so I don’t expect him back before my shift ends.”
Unexpected disappointment nags at me. I shouldn’t care that Case won’t be home tonight or that he’s having dinner at a fancy-as-fuck place with a woman.
After a soak in the bathtub and some take-out, I’ll get a good night’s sleep before I decide how I’ll fill my time tomorrow.
“You don’t happen to have any pictures of your brother’s wedding, do you?” Lester points at the phone in my hand. “I’ve been anxious to see him and Jane dressed to the nines.”
Jane.
That has to be the name of my sister-in-law.
My gaze drops to the screen of my phone. I haven’t reached out to Drake today. He hasn’t tried to call or text me either.
“Not yet,” I answer quietly. “When I do, I’ll be sure to show you.”
“Thank you, Miss Owens.” He tips the brim of his hat again. “Shall I get the elevator for you now?”
There’s no reason for me not to go up to Case’s apartment. Shaking my head, I start the trek across the lobby to the bank of elevators. “I’ll take care of it.”
“Enjoy your evening,” he says cheerfully.
I won’t.
I’m in a city filled with millions of people, but I’ve never felt so alone.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Case
I’m officially callingit a day.
It’s not even nine p.m., and I’m done. Jet lag is still right on my tail, kicking my ass.
I shove my key into the lock and turn the handle on my apartment door.
Silence greets me.
I exhale because I’m relieved. I was half-expecting Emma Owens to be planted on the couch in the living room watching the huge television her brother bought.
