“It’s amazing.”
“You should visit the shop sometime. If for no other reason than to meet William Ferris and his daughters. He’s quite the character. Think Santa, if Santa was hot and rode with the Reapers, but also did charity work and rescued cats as a hobby.”
“Okay, yeah, I need to meet him. And the women.”
“Ready to get fitted?”
“Sure. Why not? Then I can wear this tonight.”
“Perfect.”
Donna pulled the coat on, struggling a little under the weight. “Do I need to zip it?”
“Yes. Otherwise, it could end up too tight.”
Donna got it zipped. “It’s definitely too big. Not terrible, but with the weight…”
“I know.” Charlie pointed at the coat. “There should be a slip of paper in the right pocket.”
Donna stuck her hand in, found a little card, and looked at it. “Looks like Latin.”
“Might be.”
“Do I just read it out loud, or is there something else I need to do?”
“Just read it. And don’t freak out.”
“You mean because it’s going to get tighter?”
“Right.”
“Okay, here goes.” She held the card up. “Aptus perfectum.”
For a second, nothing happened. Then warmth spread out from the center of the garment over the chest and down the sleeves, back and front.
It quivered slightly. Then began to contract. The temperature increased too.
Donna tensed. It was an unsettling feeling, as if the coat had come alive and was crawling all over her with tiny, fiery insect feet. She knew that wasn’t what was happening, but the sensation remained.
She lifted her chin as if she could stretch away from it, grimacing. “This is very unnerving.”
“So I’ve heard.”
The sleeves shortened to the perfect length as the rest of the coat shrank around her. She almost held her breath. “This is going to stop, right? Because if it doesn’t…”
“It will,” Charlie said.
And then it did.
Donna held still. “Do you think it’s done?”
Charlie looked her over. “I can’t imagine it fitting any better than it does. How does it feel weightwise?”
Donna shrugged her shoulders, testing the weight. “Like a normal coat. Which is amazing.”
“Then I think it’s done.”
Donna stretched her arms out. “It feels like it was made for me. I guess because it was.” She grinned as she smoothed her hands over the leather. “This has to be one of the coolest pieces of clothing I’ve ever owned. And I wore custom-bedazzled Jimmy Choos on my wedding day. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Charlie put her hands on her hips. “Now I’d say you’re ready for that meeting. I can let Temo know if you want, but I didn’t think you were leaving this early.”
“I’m sure we’re not. Unfortunately, that means I have time to call Fitzhugh.” She unzipped the coat and took it off for now.
Charlie made a face. “I don’t envy you that. Do you know what you’re going to tell him?”
Donna sat in her desk chair and planted her feet. “I’m going to stick to the facts. My call is a courtesy to let him know the fae are holding a hostage we’re going to liberate, and it’s happening in his territory. My plan is to keep it brief. I don’t want to talk to him longer than I have to.”
“I hear that.” She put her hand on the phone. “Why don’t you let me get him on the line for you? Keep it all official.”
“All right.”
Charlie picked up the cordless desk phone and dialed. After a moment, she spoke. “Good evening, this is Charlene Rollins calling on behalf of Governor Barrone. Is Governor Fitzhugh available to speak? Thank you. I’m transferring to Governor Barrone now.”
She gave Donna a nod and handed her the phone.
Donna did a big, cleansing exhale before putting the phone to her ear. A second later, Hawke’s voice came through. “This is Fitzhugh. Call to apologize?”
She grimaced. That wasn’t a good start. She ignored the question and went on with her plan, keeping things professional. “Hello, Governor. I’m calling as a courtesy to let you know the fae have taken a hostage who’s important to us. They’ve got him at their stronghold, and my people are going to rescue him. I thought you should know since this is all happening in your state. I wouldn’t want you to hear about it secondhand.”
Silence answered her, as if he was surprised that she’d bother. “I…appreciate that. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Have a good night.” She cut off the call and handed the phone back to Charlie. “I probably shouldn’t have hung up so quickly, but since he opened the conversation by asking if I’d called to apologize, I went with my gut.”
“You did what you needed to do. That’s all that matters.” The security light on the intercom lit up. “Are you expecting anyone? Or a delivery?”
“Nope.”
Charlie pressed the button. “This is Charlene. What can I do for you?”
“There’s a visitor for the governor.” The man’s voice was low, like he didn’t want anyone else to hear. “A woman who says she’s the governor’s sister, but she’s dressed like a nun.”
Brows bent in consternation, Charlie glanced at Donna. “What do you make of that?”
“That my sister has decided to pay me an unexpected visit. And that that we need to put her on the approved-visitors list.” She rose from the chair. “Send her up.”
Chapter Five
Donna went straight to the door and opened it before the elevator arrived. She leaned on the jamb, watching as the numbers above the doors lit up to show the car’s progress.
At last, the doors opened, and Cammie stepped out in her traditional black and white habit. Her eyes brightened when she saw Donna.
“This is a welcome surprise.” Donna held her arms out. “It’s so nice to see you.”
Cammie walked into the embrace and hugged her back. “You too. I hope this is a good time.”
“It’s always a good time and never a good time, but that’s what being governor is all about. Doesn’t matter, though. For you, I’ll make whatever time you need. Well, as best I can.”
As Cammie pulled away, she held on to Donna by the shoulders and looked into her eyes. “I’m glad to hear that, because we have to talk.”
“You look and sound very serious.”
“I am. Because it is.” She smiled. “But it’s nothing that can’t be managed, I promise.”
“That’s good to hear. I should tell you I do have to leave in about an hour. I hope that works?”
“More than enough time,” Cammie said.
Donna’s interest was certainly piqued. She couldn’t imagine what Cammie wanted to discuss. “Come on in. Hey, you haven’t seen the penthouse yet.”
They walked into the space, and Donna spread her arms like a spokesmodel. “What do you think?”
Cammie stared ahead at the wall of windows. Across the Hudson River, Manhattan was twinkling to life as dusk approached. “That’s a very impressive view. Seems fitting for a governor.”