Dean Walker’s Apartment, Downtown Manhattan
Despite more snowfall and the freezing temperatures, Hayley had walked block after block before finally having the strength to go back to Dean’s apartment. All the signs of Christmas – the trees on sale, the scent of apple, cinnamon and spiced wine, the carols coming from every store and street entertainer – seemed to be mocking her.Happy Holidays! Why on Earth have you wasted your time messing about with a guy when you should be focusing on the whole reason you came to New York in the first place? Your daughter.The very first thing you saw him do was run out on a date. How could you be so naïve and think he would treat you any differently?
She pushed back her shoulders and lifted her chin defiantly to the voices in her head. But it didn’t stop a depth of sadness cloaking her. She had only known him a short while, but despite all her mental pep talks, she had really liked him.Reallyliked him.
She braced herself before pressing the intercom of Dean’s apartment. Angel didn’t need to know anything about this and she could gloss over the details for Dean’s benefit like she’d done so many times to get out of trouble when she was younger. Oliver Drummond was coming completely off her radar and her entirefocus was now going to be on finding Michel and organising the McArthur Foundation fundraiser. Her priorities had become temporarily screwed and she was never going to let it happen again.
‘Hello,’ Dean’s voice greeted. A yapping noise ensued, meaning Vernon and Randy were also there. Great! The whole lot of them scrutinising her and asking about the night before.
She put on an enthusiastic tone any voice artist would be proud of. ‘Hey there, big brother! I’m back! And I’ve seen some bargain Christmas trees down the street. Isn’t it time we got one?’
Carly’s Coffee House, Downtown Manhattan
Daniel Pearson had passed Oliver the envelope a few minutes ago and the images were already starting to swim in front of his eyes. He looked hard at the photographs, barely able to believe what he was seeing. It couldn’t be true, it was too outrageous, worse than anything he had imagined. He slipped the photos back into the envelope and threw them to the table. Taking a deep breath, he picked up his coffee cup.
‘I don’t believe it,’ Oliver stated.
‘I have all the audio you need. They made it really easy for me. They talked and did just about everything in his car.’
Oliver closed his eyes. ‘Please, spare me.’
‘What do you want me to do?’ Daniel asked him.
‘Nothing else, not yet. I need to deal with this personally,’ he stated.
‘Fine by me.’ Daniel passed him a second envelope. ‘The audio files are on a memory stick in there.’
Oliver shook his head. ‘I just can’t believe this.’
‘You were suspicious of him; now you have your answers,’ Daniel said.
‘Yeah, I do. I’m just wondering how I’m going to tell my mother.’
‘Rather you than me,’ Daniel said, sipping at his drink.
‘Exactly.’ He hesitated for a moment, what he was going to ask next affecting him far more than it should. ‘Any luck with the other issue?’
‘Michel De Vos?’ Daniel queried.
‘Yeah.’
‘Actually, yes,’ Daniel answered.
A shiver ran over Oliver like a cold, uncomfortable sweat breaking out.
‘He changed his name a couple of years ago. Now goes by Michel Arment. He’s moved around quite a bit in the last few years but I should be able to get contact details by the end of the day.’
Oliver nodded. He almost had all the answers, not that it mattered any more. He drew his cell phone out of his pocket. ‘Thanks, Daniel. The money will be in your account as usual and, as always, discretion is paramount here.’
Daniel nodded. ‘It goes without saying.’ He stood. ‘Have a good afternoon.’ He held out his hand and Oliver took it.
‘You too.’ He called up a number on his phone and pressed to dial. ‘Hello, Dean?’ He wondered whether he was public enemy number one right now in the Walker household. He deserved it. He’d made Dean a promise. He breathed out. But this was business. ‘Dean, it’s Oliver Drummond. Listen, can you spare me a half hour?’
44
DEAN WALKER’S APARTMENT, DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN
Hayley had Dean’s laptop, her phone, her idea’s book and the Globe all set out on the breakfast bar, tapping at whichever appliance was going to give her the answers she needed.
