Chapter 6 - Dinner Preparations
On the afternoon of the investor dinner, Olivia met Naomi in an unmarked office above a municipal records building.
The room contained a table, two chairs, and enough surveillance equipment to make Olivia reconsider every private conversation she had ever held.
Naomi handed her a small brooch.
“Audio transmitter,” she said.
Olivia examined the artificial pearl.
“Will they detect it?”
“Not unless they search you.”
“Brenda may.”
“Then the restaurant cameras become more important.”
Naomi explained the plan.
The investigators would wait in a service corridor connected to the private dining floor. The restaurant manager had agreed to cooperate after Naomi presented a warrant involving suspected financial crimes conducted on the premises.
The cameras would record continuously.
Olivia’s task was to keep Connor and Brenda talking long enough for them to connect themselves to the falsified authorizations.
“You are not required to accuse them,” Naomi said. “Let them explain why you should accept responsibility.”
“They’ll offer me money.”
“Possibly.”
“They may threaten me.”
“Almost certainly.”
“And when do you enter?”
“When we have enough, or when you are in danger.”
Olivia touched the brooch.
“What counts as danger?”
Naomi looked at her.
“You will know.”
A second investigator entered carrying a garment bag.
“Your blouse,” Naomi said.
Olivia unzipped the bag.
The pale rose fabric seemed almost luminous beneath the fluorescent light.
“You searched my apartment?”
“No. Harold told us Connor once described that color as making you look harmless.”
Olivia almost smiled.
Naomi handed her a compact mirror.
“Appearances matter to people like Connor. He needs you to look defeated so he can feel powerful.”
“And Brenda?”
“She needs you to resist just enough to justify punishing you.”
Olivia attached the brooch near her collar.
“Punishing me how?”
“We do not know.”
The words remained with her all the way to the restaurant.
The Meridian Room occupied the top floor of a luxury building overlooking the river. It was accessible by private elevator and normally reserved for political fundraisers, corporate acquisitions, and celebrations that required silence from the staff.
Connor waited near the entrance when Olivia arrived.
His black suit fit perfectly. His dark hair was combed back. He wore the expression he used whenever photographers were nearby: composed, warm, forgiving.
“Olivia,” he said.
He stepped forward as if to embrace her.
She remained still.
Connor lowered his arms.
“You came.”
“You invited me.”
“I wasn’t sure you would be reasonable.”
“You mean obedient.”
His smile tightened.
“Tonight does not need to become unpleasant.”
“Then why is Brenda here?”
Connor laughed softly.
“There she is. The Olivia I remember.”
“The one who built your company?”
“The one who believed every disagreement was evidence of her moral superiority.”
He guided her toward the dining room.
Most of the investors had already arrived. Their conversations weakened when Olivia entered. Some looked embarrassed. Others regarded her with suspicion.
Brenda stood near the window in an elegant black blazer, speaking to Vanessa Cole.
When she saw Olivia, she excused herself and approached.
“You wore pink,” Brenda said.
“Pale rose.”
“How brave.”
Brenda glanced at the brooch.
Olivia’s heart struck hard against her ribs.
“That is new.”
“It was my mother’s.”
The lie came easily.
Brenda touched the artificial pearl with one finger.
Naomi’s voice seemed to echo in Olivia’s memory.
If they search you, step away.
Olivia did not step away.
Brenda smiled.
“Sentimental objects often become important when people lose everything else.”
Connor lifted a champagne glass.
“Let’s begin.”
As everyone took their seats, Olivia noticed the restaurant manager standing near the service door.
He gave her the smallest possible nod.
The cameras were active.
May you like
The investigators were listening.
And Brenda had seated Olivia directly beside her.
