I lead her inside. The dogs immediately swarm her, tails beating wildly. She produces dried chicken strips from nowhere and distributes them like a general rewarding troops.
“Madame,” Erik starts when he sees the treats. “They….”
“They are wonderful, and I have missed them,” she says, cutting him off again.
“I’ll get your Scotch,” I say. “Why don’t you sit with the dogs?”
“Need to go out,” Erik blurts.
He heads for the back door, but the Notes are already planted beside Madame on the sofa.
Tianna steps into him, laying her head against his chest. His arms close around her without thought.
“Go change,” she murmurs. “By the time you’re back, Coulson will be here. I’ll get you a drink. I think we’ll need it.”
His eyes flick once more to the dogs before settling on her.
“I’ll be back shortly. Whiskey, please.”
She joins me at the beverage cart. I hand her two snifters and pour Madame’s Scotch.
“When did we get a beverage cart and Scotch?” she asks quietly.
“Storage. You also have furnished guest rooms.”
She takes a long sip and nods. “Good to know.”
Ruiz comes in after resetting the alarm and checking the perimeter.
I toss him a bottle of water.
He checks his phone. “Coulson is here.”
He steps back out and returns with Coulson and Colt.
Ruiz hands them water before taking a seat with us.
When Erik returns, he sits beside Tianna and she hands him the glass. He swallows it back immediately and holds the empty out to me.
I shake my head, take it, and refill it. The dogs still curled beside Madame are one thing too many for him tonight.
I hand the fresh glass back to him, then pass Coulson and Colt their waters before taking my place behind Erik and Tianna.
My attention shifts to Madame. She leans forward and sets her snifter down.
“Thank you, gentlemen. I have some information to share with you.”
She reaches into her purse, removes a manila envelope, and extends it to Coulson. He takes it.
“I believe you will find this helpful in your investigation.”
Ruiz lets out a low whistle when Coulson pulls out the photo.
“She’s the woman who was approaching. Biancholli. I noted her earlier. She was with the woman who harassed Christianna.”
Coulson pulls out his phone. “Excuse me. I’m getting an alert tied to Christianna’s name.”
He taps a few buttons and low, murmured voices spill from the speaker. It sounds like a cocktail party.
