Page 33 of Jael

“It’s all yours.”

“Does that mean you’ve found the thread?”

“Maybe, but I’d like to know what would happen if Jael decides not to marry Christopher.”

The line was quiet for a moment, and when Deborah spoke, her voice was soft but controlled. “You need to stay on task. I can give you a bit of leeway, but our focus has to remain on the engagement party. I’ve got a lot of wheels turning so we can put pressure on Artus at just the right moment for him to spill his guts to us.”

“It’s an important question to consider.”

“You might not like the guy, but this is the plan, and you had better be doing your best to make sure it happens as outlined.”

“You expect me to convince her to marry a guy she doesn’t want to?”

“Not you. But Jael does what she’s told. She always has. If you need to push Gregory, then push. I expect you to do whatever you can to make this happen.”

His eyes shifted when he saw Jael’s car emerge from Heber’s parking garage. Judging by the speed at which she took off, things hadn’t gone well.

“I’ll do my best,” he said without really meaning it.

“Was there anything else?”

“Not yet. I’ll keep you posted.”

After he hung up, he pulled into traffic and went in the opposite direction from Jael. He’d done enough stalking for one day. He’d go home and get ready for dinner.

Danny parked his car at Gregory’s house in the same place he always had, then buttoned his suit coat. He tugged at the sleeves as he walked toward the house. It had been a long time since he’d dressed up.

He stretched his arms in the thick fabric, flexing pointlessly before ringing the doorbell.

The man who opened the door had sunken cheeks emphasizing the bones in his face. He was tall with large lips that pressed together as he looked over Danny. “Can I help you?” he said in an unexpectedly high-pitched voice.

“Hi, yes. My name is Daniel Fletcher. I’m here for dinner.”

The man nodded and stepped back to invite him in. “This way, please.”

Danny followed the familiar path to the formal dining room, where Gregory was already seated. Artus and Christopher were there talking to a lively couple. The woman was laughing with a loud bark. Jael was nowhere to be seen.

“Danny. So good to see you,” Gregory said, standing to greet him.

“Thanks again for the invitation. It’s a pleasure to be here.”

“I’d like you to meet my dear friends. I don’t know if you’ve met Artus Sisera?”

“No.” He smiled at Artus and shook his hand across the table. “I have heard a lot about you, though.”

“It’s all true,” Artus said. “I assure you. Especially the bad stuff.” The smile that graced his lips for a moment was devious.

“A man of many talents.” Gregory laughed. “And this is his son, Christopher, who’s taken on the role of running my company.”

“Nice to meet you, Christopher. I had heard about your appointment. Sounds like a big job.”

“But one he’s more than capable of carrying out,” Gregory said, a hint of resistance on his face.

“It’s nice to meet you, Danny,” Christopher said. “I understand you are an old friend of Gregory’s.”

“Yes. I did a lot of work for him about a decade ago.”

“And continuing around the table,” Gregory said. “That seat beside Christopher will be for Jael when she arrives, which should be any moment, and beside you are the always elegant Dr. and Mrs. Prescott.”

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