‘You going to answer it?’
Darcie swiped at the screen, taking the seat Matt had pulled out for her. ‘Hello.’
‘Ah, is that Miss Marchant?’
‘Yes, that’s right.’
‘Hello, my dear, it’s Christophe Padgett here. We met earlier in the week to discuss the dress you found.’
‘Oh, hello. How are you?’ Darcie looked at Matt and mouthed Padgett’s name at him, which earned a raise of the eyebrows from Matt as he sat down next to her.
‘Ça va bien,’ came the reply. ‘Now, I have a little proposition for you regarding the dress you came to me about.’
‘Oh, I didn’t realise you were interested in it,’ said Darcie. She put her phone on speaker and laid it on the table between her and Matt.
‘I couldn’t help thinking about it yesterday. It played on my mind,’ explained Padgett. ‘And even though I can’t authenticate it, I wouldn’t like to think of the dress just being thrown out or put in a second-hand sale. It doesn’t seem fitting for such a beautiful garment.’
‘I agree,’ said Darcie. ‘Although I had no intention of throwing it away.’
‘So, I would like to make an offer for the dress. How does ten thousand euros sound to you?’
‘Ten thousand euros.’ Darcie had to repeat the sum to make sure she was hearing right. She glanced at Matt who didn’t look quite as impressed as her with the figure.
‘That’s correct. And that’s to include the sketchbook too,’ said Padgett.
‘To include the sketchbook,’ repeated Darcie looking to Matt for his reaction. He frowned and shook his head.
‘It means you don’t have to worry about getting the book authenticated,’ continued Padgett. ‘Obviously, that’s an expensive exercise. As is having the dress forensically scrutinised.’
Darcie glanced again at Matt who was shaking his head firmly this time. Darcie hesitated for a moment before replying. ‘I need time to think about it.’
Padgett tried to hide the impatience from his voice but didn’t quite mange it. ‘More time? But it’s a generous offer for a home-made dress and a sketchbook.’
‘I appreciate that,’ said Darcie. ‘But I don’t want to rush into any decision. Can I just ask, did you find out anything about Nathalie Leroux?’
‘Oh … err … No. Nothing. There are no records. I don’t think she could have worked at the hotel.’
‘Strange that her name is on the envelope with the Ritz stamp.’
‘Yes. Anyway, back to my offer for the sketchbook.’
‘And dress,’ said Darcie.
‘Yes. Of course.’
‘What would happen to the dress and the book? Would it go into the Chanel museum or some sort of exhibition? Because, like you, I wouldn’t want it to be forgotten about. You know, shoved in the back of a cupboard and never see the light of day again.’
‘It’s something I would certainly consider,’ said Padgett.
Darcie got the feeling he was avoiding giving her a straight answer. ‘I think there are certain terms I’d like agreed beforehand. Would you be able to put the offer in writing?’ Matt tapped her on the arm and pushed his phone towards her where he’d typed a message in the Notes application. Darcie quickly scanned it and nodded at him. ‘Also, I’d need a solicitor to liaise with the legal team at the House of Chanel to agree terms.’ Matt gave her the thumbs-up sign.
‘A solicitor?’ said Padgett. ‘Do you really think that’s necessary? It’s simply a sale transaction.’
‘I would prefer it that way.’
‘Hmm, well, I can do that,’ said Padgett. ‘Just so there is no misunderstanding, this offer is from me personally so it won’t be the House of Chanel’s legal team.’
‘You personally?’ Now that was a surprise. ‘I thought you were acting on behalf of Chanel.’
