Page 42 of Shadow Scorching

“You’re right, there. I can’t remember a single time when she was anything but polite. Even when she went after someone,she did it with grace. The woman could rip your throat out and you’d thank her, she’d be so gracious about it.” Dante was about to say something else when I received another notification from WTA.

“Damn, it’s Jet again. I disabled the setting on the app that showed whether I had read a message, then opened the app to check his messages.

how is your yoga class going, my darling? i hope you don’t hurt yourself. you aren’t trying to lose weight, are you? you look lovely the way you are. i can hardly wait to see you in your peignoir and caress your beautiful face. tell me, what are you having for dinner? i count the minutes until you answer me.

“Sheesh, he’s pushing it,” Dante said.

I wanted to gag, the creep made me feel so slimy. “I’m not sure how to respond. My natural inclination is to tell him he’s a perv.”

“Don’t do that,” Dante said. “What about…Tell him he’s sweet to think about you. And ask him if you can chat sometime? We can get a voice changer that makes you sound older.”

“I’mnotgoing to sext with him!” I grimaced. “Not even as Estelle?—”

“You’re not only helping my auntie, you’re helping other women. I’m not saying you get graphic, but if he pours it on thick, simper and bat your eyelashes?” Dante grinned. “Think of it as a writing exercise.”

“Romance writers wouldn’t go for that. You can’t sell schlocky sleaze as a good sex scene. But…if it’s to help save others from him…If necessary—absolutely necessary—I’ll deal with it.” The thought made me cringe. “Unlessyouwant to,” I added.

Dante flashed me a horrified look, then broke out laughing. “I have no idea how to sound like a lonely woman. I’m aguy.”

“And a lot of those romance scammers areguyspretending to be women, and they fool their marks every day,” I countered. “Oh well, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. But do you think Jet might have bugged Tilly’s house? We should take some equipment over there and do a sweep. See if we can find any magical or practical listening devices or cameras.”

“Oof,” Dante said, the smile vanishing from his face. “I hadn’t thought of that, either.” He thought about it for a moment. “I could invite my aunt out to dinner and you could take Carson and search the house.”

“Nope, she has security cameras and she has servants. We’d be caught in an instant. Dante, we’re going to have to talk to her again. I’m serious. We can’t do this without her knowing—we have to sit her down and make her face facts. The fact that Jet is trying to talk me up means that, if he’s really engaged to her, he’s cheating. This is the proof we needed. Call her in an hour and set something up.”

“I will,” Dante said after a while. “I suppose we have no choice, right?”

“I know you’re afraid she’ll be angry at you, but we’re already in for a pound.”

Dante finally agreed and we settled in to watch a movie, while occasionally checking on the reports from the explosion.

Two hours later,things took yet another turn. Dante called Tilly, but there was no answer.

“I wonder if she’s gone out,” he said. “I’ll call her house phone—the maids answer that. She always uses her cell phone.”He punched another number that he had on speed dial and put it on speaker phone. Sure enough, one of Tilly’s housekeepers picked up after two rings.

“The Franco residence. How may I help you?” The woman’s voice was chilly, but beneath it, I sensed a resilience, as though the woman had seen one too many fights.

“Is this Diana?” Dante asked.

“No, this is Helen. I can get her, if you need to talk to her.”

“No, don’t do that, not yet. I’m Dante, Tilly’s great-nephew. Is she available?”

After a brief pause, the maid said, “Mr. Franco, I’m sorry, but Ms. Franco is taking an extended nap.” There was something odd with her voice, that unsettled me.

“We have to go up there,” I said.

Dante nodded. “I’m coming over. I’m begging you, Helen, check on her and make certain she’s breathing. If she’s fine, I’ll be on my way. If she’s hurt, contact me and I’ll tell you what to do.”

“Very good, sir. I’ll ask Diana to check on your aunt. Do you wish to wait or should I have Diana call you back?” Helen sounded uncertain, but Dante tried to put her at ease.

“Call me back—or have Aunt Tilly call me if she wakes up.”

“Very good, sir. Right away.” Helen hung up.

Dante turned to me. “Something’s off. She never sounds exhausted like she did.”

“Well, grab your things and let’s be ready to go.” I slid my boots back on and shoved my arms into my jacket.

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