Page 8 of Jane's Story
“By all means.” She smiled and nodded emphatically. “Goodness knows I haven’t been able to.”
I smiled and turned back to Eva, who was strangling her pencil again.
“But I still don’t get it. I told you this islongdivision, right?” Eva frowned.
“We’ll go one step at a time.” I started the problem over for her. “Remember the place value.”
“Place value? Let me try.” Eva erased the example problem and started again.
I clapped my hands. “You’re getting there. Keep practicing.”
But before I could assist any further, a middle-aged gentleman in a gray suit with slicked-back dark hair interrupted us.
“You must be the photographer I spoke to.” He glanced at my camera and reached out to shake my hand. So I stood and steered him away from Eva and her mother.
“Yes, I’m Jane. Are you…”
“I’m Armond Moreau—I help Haven Corporation with finances and such. I’ll be showing you what we need photos of.”
I shook his hand. “You have a lot going on this week.”
“I’d say. Well, I found a lovely photographer, at least,” Armond said while eyeing me, whichmade my skin crawl.
“Well, hopefully my photos meet everyone’s expectations. I can take video feeds as well,” I said. “So you’re the person I report to?”
“Yes, myself and Catalina, our events manager. We’ll need some photos of our prototypes, the high-profile investors, and our SaferLoc launch presentation. Also, any photos of you attractive young people will make Haven Corporation look successful.” He winked at me.
I shuddered. Whatever he was feeling was something I hadn't experienced before, but it wasn't pleasant.
Charles approached from behind carrying two cups of something warm, and I smiled at him. Armond smiled back at me, but his expression dissolved when he looked over his shoulder at Charles.
“Sorry I kept you waiting. Hot cider?” Charles said, offering me a cup. “Armond, I see you’ve met Jane.”
Armond turned his back to me, cutting me off from the conversation. “I was looking for you, Charles. We received some more news about Margery Blake.”
His comment piqued my interest. Despite everything going on, Margery had remained constantly hovering in the back of my mind. A coffee table blocked me frommoving to the side, so I stood there, cornered behind Armond, and listened.
Charles stepped around Armond, bringing me back into the circle of communication and offering me ample space. “I’m not sure I follow. Like about the accident?”
“They’ve confirmed that it was murder.” Armond arched a thin, black brow.
“Sad… I’d hoped it was an accident.” Charles’s voice trailed off, and he remained silent for a moment.
Even though it was no surprise, a chill still ran down my spine. To think Margery would’ve been standing there instead of me if someone hadn’t taken her life. “Murder?”
“Right,” Armond continued. “Someone tampered with the brakes of her car. I thought you should know.”
Charles ran his hand over his face, frowning. “That’s horrible.”
Margery’s face from my dream flashed through my mind. She was trying to tell me something. I shared my thought. “Her killer is still out there.”
“No, no…” Armond started. “Well, probably. But it had nothing to do with Haven Corp.”
“Of course not.” Charles frowned. “But murder makes her death even moretragic.”
“I worry about the company, though,” Armond stated. “You know how stories get twisted around. We’ll need to keep this on the down low.”
“True…we’ll get to that. For now, maybe we can focus on doing something for her family. I can’t imagine losing a sister. I’ll contact Darcy.” Charles pulled out his phone and made a note to himself. Then he looked at me. “Sorry, Jane, I know this is pretty depressing.”
