“Did you question everyone? Maybe the person was still there.”
“We did. The place was busy, but no one noticed anything unusual. I’m sorry. We’ll be going through the video footage to see if anything looks suspicious—there are cameras everywhere. Of course, if they did it from the bathroom, we’re out of luck.”
The weight of her disappointment was crushing. She hung up the phone, dejected. Whoever was doing this was smart. Maybe too smart to get caught.
8
Tonight should have been a big night for Kate, Blaire reflected, the annual fundraiser for the Children’s Heart Foundation. Originally it was to be held at Kate and Simon’s home. But Kate was in no shape to host anything or go anywhere, and when Selby had stepped into the breach and offered to host the event at her house, Kate had asked Blaire to go in her place. Blaire was sure that Selby hadn’t taken kindly to that, but she’d agreed without hesitation.
She pulled around the circular drive to Selby and Carter’s enormous home in Greenspring Valley, which she had read about in Horse and Rider. They’d bought the seventy-five-year-old mansion right after they got married and spent five years on a meticulous restoration, pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into the project. She stopped next to the fountain in the middle of the circle, and a valet opened her car door and extended a hand to help her out. Hugging her cashmere stole closer, she hurried up the expansive stairs to the black double doors, which were easily over ten feet tall. As she entered, she admired the elegance and sophistication of the grand foyer, with its silk pastel wallpaper and glittering chandeliers. She had to admit that Selby’s taste was impeccable.
Blaire gave her wrap to a uniformed butler. As she walked past an immense dining room, its lengthy mahogany table awash with silver candelabra and serving dishes, she saw Selby coming toward her, Carter at her side. She’d seen him across the room at the funeral reception and wondered again how this overweight middle-aged man could be the same good-looking guy she’d almost married.
Selby nodded as they approached. “Hello, Blaire. Welcome to our home. How nice of you to step in for Kate.” She shrugged. “I’d have been happy to do it, but I suppose your name probably will bring in more money, since you’re so famous now.”
“Well, I’m sure Kate thought it was enough that you opened up your home. Maybe she didn’t want to put you on the spot to make a speech. You remember how nervous you used to get when you had to present at school. There was that one time—”
“Yes, well,” Selby interrupted. “No need to go into that. I’m quite comfortable in the spotlight now.” Her voice was sharp.
Carter didn’t seem to notice the tension between the two women. He leaned in and kissed Blaire on the cheek. “Blaire, how good to see you.” His eyes swept over her, taking her in. “You look absolutely wonderful.”
Blaire was delighted by the admiring look on his face. The fiery red silk gown she’d picked up earlier at Octavia Boutique hugged her tall, slender frame. It was strapless, and her long dark hair brushed her bare shoulders. “Thank you.” She gave him a confident smile, determined to show him he had no effect on her anymore. It had been so many years since she’d seen him, but the memory of her humiliation came racing back with the force of a runaway train. She took a deep breath, pushing the past from her mind, composing herself.
“Everyone will be so thrilled that you’re here. A celebrity guest. How exciting! My mother is one of your biggest fans,” Carter gushed. “She’s dying to see you.”
Blaire’s eyebrows shot up. Really? His mother had wanted nothing more than for Blaire to be out of her precious son’s life all those years ago. Now she was dying to see her?
“And I’ve read every one of your books,” he continued.
“Carter,” Selby interrupted. “We have other guests arriving.”
He slowly dropped Blaire’s hand, and Selby snatched his hand in hers. “If you’ll excuse us, I’m sure you can find your way around.”
Blaire spotted Gordon and headed toward him, relieved to see someone she knew. Even in a tux, he managed to make a bow tie look silly—probably because his was light blue with bulls and bears on it. Was it supposed to be some sort of stock market witticism? It was no wonder he was still single.
“Hey there,” she greeted him.
“Blaire.” A curt nod in her direction.
“Having a good time?”
He shrugged. “These things are not really my cup of tea. Just here to support Kate and her foundation. Of course, it’s completely understandable why she didn’t come.”
“I’ll be sure to let her know you were thinking of her,” Blaire said. “Listen, Gordon. I was hoping to meet with you about some investments. I’d like more diversification in my portfolio, and I’m a little dissatisfied with my financial manager.”
His face became animated. She had his full attention now.
“Is that so? I’d be happy to look at your portfolio. I think you’ll find our firm knows how to strike just the right balance between risk and security . . .”
Blah, blah, blah. She tuned out the rest, impatient for him to wrap it up. Finally, he did, and she nodded.
“Great. How about if I come by Tuesday evening? Say around eight?”
He frowned. “Evening? I’m not typically at the office quite that late. Can you meet during the day?”
She tried her best to look regretful. “Sorry, but I’ve got interviews and PR obligations most of the week during business hours. I guess I’m spoiled, but my current guy has always worked around my schedule. One of the few things I like about him.”
He put a hand up. “It’s not that I mind, but it’s a whole thing with the security system at the office that far after hours.”
“How about if we meet at your house, then? After all, we’re old friends.” His shoulder jumped, and she wondered if it was a tic or just a reaction to her suggestion.
“Well, yes, I guess that will work.” He looked reluctant, and she wondered if he had something to hide or just wasn’t used to guests.
“Terrific.” She handed him a business card. “Email me the address, and I’ll see you there.”
She smiled. On Blaire’s list of suspects, thanks to his weird fixation on Kate, Gordon was number two—right after Simon, with his bullshit alibi.
Glancing around the room, she noticed the woman she’d seen at the funeral luncheon, now chatting with an older man. Dressed in a backless black evening gown that clung to her slender frame, she looked stunning and very much at ease. Blaire wondered who had invited her. Once the man had moved away, she walked over and, giving the woman her best smile, held out her hand.
“Hello, I’m Blaire Barrington.”
The woman appraised Blaire for a minute before answering coolly, “Nice to meet you. Sabrina Mitchell.” If she recognized Blaire’s name, she hid it well.
Blaire cocked her head. “Are you a friend of Kate’s?”
Giving her hair a toss, Sabrina returned Blaire’s stare. “No, I’m actually an old family friend of Simon’s. I was hoping to see him tonight, but he just let me know that Kate couldn’t pull it together to come. I thought about bailing too, but I’d already bought a new dress, so . . .”