Her mind paused until she recalled telling him she had come with a chaperone this morning. “Yes, that is her.”
He frowned. “Come to think of it, I don’t like the idea of you bringing her. Unless, of course, you can convince her to run some errands just like you did today.”
She hiccupped a laugh. “You are correct. Having her as my chaperone isn’t a very good idea at all.”
Tapping his finger against his chin, he stared at her in silence. Out in the direct sunlight, the freckles on his nose were more prominent. She couldn’t help but smile. Indeed, he was certainly one handsome man.
“I have it.” His eyes widened and sparked with excitement. “I shall have Larson and his wife pick you up.”
Although it was a better idea, she still needed to give Ashton the address, and right now, she believed that wasn’t wise. However, she must provide an address. “Yes, that will work.” Her mind scrambled to come up with an address, but it was blank. This didn’t happen to her very often, and lately, she noticed it only happened in Ashton’s presence.
“So, what is your address?” he urged.
Why couldn’t she think straight? Her father would be very upset if she gave a man suspected of robbing the train their home address. But she had no other choice.
“It is forty-thr—”
“There you are, Miss Nicole.”
Nicole jumped and spun toward the familiar voice. A plump, middle-aged woman waddled toward her, waving her hand. Relief swept over Nicole, and she wanted to hug the other detective. Instead, she smiled and nodded.
“Yes, Mrs. Phelps, I’m here.” Before the detective could say another word, Nicole grabbed the woman’s elbow and pulled her closer. “Let me introduce you to Mr. Ashton Lee...he is the old friend I was telling you about earlier.” She eyed the woman carefully, trying to communicate with her in silence, hoping Mrs. Phelps got the message.
Mrs. Phelps’ mouth hung open as she looked over Ashton, scanning him from the top of his head down to his shoes.
“Oh, Miss Nicole. This is your old friend?” She shook her head. “He doesn’t look old to me.”
Nicole laughed, and Ashton chuckled along with her. “Don’t be silly, Mrs. Phelps. He is not old in years. I have just known him for a long time.” She gave the other woman a wink. “Mr. Lee, this is my housekeeper—and chaperone—Mrs. Phelps.”
Nicole said a silent prayer of thanks when the other woman didn’t even blink an eye but reached her hand out to shake Ashton’s. “It’s a pleasure to meet Miss Nicole’s friend.”
“The pleasure is all mine.” Ashton grinned. “I was just talking to Miss Bastian about the dinner party I’m planning for this upcoming week. My other two business partners and their wives will be in attendance. I was hoping Miss Bastian would like to attend, as well.”
Mrs. Phelps’ head bobbed with a nod. “I’m sure she would love to. Do you need me to come with you?” She directed the question to Nicole.
“No,” Nicole answered. “Mr. Lee will have his friends pick me up. In fact, I was just getting ready to give him our address.”
Panic laced the other woman’s face, and Nicole knew she felt the same uncertainty. She waited for the other detective to speak, hoping the woman had a better suggestion.
“You weren’t going to give him your residence, were you?” Mrs. Phelps asked.
“Well, of course.”
Mrs. Phelps tsked and frowned. “I see your father hasn’t informed you that he plans on having the top floor remodeled this week. All of us will be staying at the St. Denis Hotel. In fact, as soon as we return home, I shall check to see if the servants have packed everything.”
Nicole could hug her friend right now. Thankfully, the other detective could think on her feet quicker than Nicole had been able to lately. “Is that this week? I thought Father told me it was next week.”
“Yes, Miss Bastian. It’s this week.”
“Not to worry,” Ashton held up his hand. “I shall send the invitation to the hotel and have Larson and his wife pick you up there.”
“Oh, thank you,” Nicole said with a sigh. “I honestly cannot wait to meet your friends.”
“And I’m certain they will be just as delighted to meet you.” Ashton turned his attention to the older woman. “Mrs. Phelps, it has been nice to meet you, but I should get back to work.”
“I understand.” She grinned. “Miss Bastian and I shall be leaving now.”
Nicole turned with Mrs. Phelps but glanced over her shoulder at Ashton and waved. He appeared to have believed her story, which was good. She needed him to trust her since that was the key to getting him to open up about his dealings with the railway robberies.
