by Marie Astor
“Ally, I want to apologize for the way I acted last night.” Jake shifted on his feet. “I overreacted, but I want you to know that I only did that because I feel responsible for your safety.”
She shook her head. “Let’s skip the apology part. We all blow a fuse now and then. Besides, you’ve pretty much redeemed yourself.” She pointed at the doughnut and the coffee.
He smiled. “Thanks for taking it easy on me.”
“No problem.” She fiddled with her coffee cup.
“What’s up?” he asked, his eyes focused on her.
“I’ve hit a roadblock and I don’t know what to do next.”
“Can I help?”
“I hope so. You’re my partner, right?”
“Try me.”
Ally gave Jake a brief overview of what she had so far discovered with Doug’s help and the background searches she had run on Zigger. “And now I’m stuck. I don’t know what to do next.”
“I must say this is excellent work,” Jake commented. “Did you tell Marion about the latest test results?”
“Not yet. I’m worried she’ll want to launch an official inquiry into Zigger, and I don’t want to do that just yet. I don’t want to give them extra time to pull together their defenses. The answer has to be in there somewhere. Once I find it, then we can nail Zigger and the bastard who ordered those chips from him.”
“And you said you ran a search on both the father and son?”
Ally nodded. “I didn’t find anything.”
“What about their spouses?”
“I did that too, but I didn’t find anything.”
“Let me have another go at it. I’ll let you know what I come up with.”
“Thanks, sounds good. Meanwhile I’ll do another search on the father and son.”
***
“Any luck?”
Ally looked up from her computer, surprised to see Jake back so soon. Then she checked her watch and realized that she’d lost all track of time. It was almost five o’clock. “Nothing. You?”
“I think I might’ve found something.”
“What is it?”
“Come on, let’s get out of here. I’ll tell you over dinner. Something tells me you’ve been glued to your desk all day.”
Ally wanted to protest, but the grumbling in her stomach stopped her—the doughnut and the coffee Jake had brought her earlier had been her only meal for the day. “Okay. But I don’t want to go anywhere far. I want to come back to the office afterwards.”
“Did anyone tell you you’re a workaholic? It isn’t healthy, you know, or productive.”
Twenty minutes later they were seated at a hamburger place a few blocks away from the office. It was too late for lunch and too early for dinner, so the place was almost empty. Jake had asked for a secluded booth all the way at the back of the restaurant so that they could talk.
“So are you finally going to tell me what you found?” Ally asked after they’d placed their orders.
“You’re very impatient, Ally. Didn’t anyone ever tell you that patience is a virtue?”
“And you’re incredibly pedantic, Jake.”
He grinned. “I’ll take that as a compliment. I was an instructor—it goes with the territory.”
“You weren’t pedantic then. I found your lectures to be very straightforward and useful.”
“Thank you.”
“I see you enjoy torturing me. You probably made the whole thing up. I didn’t find anything new, so I don’t know how you could’ve.”
“Did you see that Kyle Zigger got divorced about two years ago?”
“Yes, so? Neither of his wives had any connection to Blaine Platt.”
“True. Zigger’s first wife left him for infidelity and she got a handsome settlement. Zigger barely walked away with a shirt on his back.”
Suddenly it dawned on Ally. How could she have missed such an important detail? “You mean to say that shows that Zigger had a need for extra cash and he was paid to manufacture those defective parts?”
“Bingo.”
“It looks like I have a lot to learn. Thank you for doing this for me, Jake.”
“We’re partners, remember?”
“Yes, thank you. These days it’s rare to have someone to rely on.” Ally shook her head. “That bastard. I can’t believe it. My father was Zigger’s customer for years. He considered Sam Zigger to be his personal friend. He remained loyal to the company when Kyle took over the business. I’m sure if Zigger had asked my dad for money, he would’ve gladly helped him out. That backstabbing snake.”
Jake touched her arm. “He and Blaine Platt, or whoever it was that paid Zigger off, won’t get away with it.”
“They already got away with it. My father is gone and so is everything he stood for.”
“You can’t bring your father back, but you can prove his innocence, Ally. And you can bring back his legacy.”
She lowered her eyes. “What if I fail? I’m so scared, Jake. Every day I wake up with the same thought in my head. I’d sworn to find the bastards who ruined my father and make them answer for it, but what if I fail? I’m alone in this . . . and I’m scared.”
“You’re not alone, Ally. You’ve got me. And you already found the bastards you were looking for, so you’re halfway there.”
Ally smirked. “Who says that Platt and Zigger won’t get away? So far we only have some circumstantial evidence.”
“Those faulty chips aren’t circumstantial and neither is the link between Kyle Zigger and Blaine Platt. There had to have been communications between them. I don’t care how careful they were. People always slip up. All that we need to do now is close the loop so that Zigger and Platt can’t weasel their way out.”
Ally nodded. “Do you think Platt might keep records in his home? I’ll try to scope it out when I’m there on Saturday.”
Jake looked away, taking his arm off of hers. “So you’re going through with this? You realize the danger involved? We could find other ways to get to him.”
“I do, but I also know that you’ll be watching my back. I’m willing to play with those odds.”
“So be it. I’ve requested the architectural layout of Platt’s townhouse. We should have it tomorrow. At least it’ll help you to orient yourself quicker.”
“Thanks, Jake. You’re the best partner a girl could hope for.”
“I don’t know about that, but it looks like you’re stuck with me anyway.”
Chapter 21
Ally checked her reflection in the mirror. For her evening with Blaine Platt she chose to wear a red, knee-length shift dress with a plunging neckline. On her feet she had black stilettos and underneath the dress she had the black corset that Delilah and Rebecca had recommended. She briefly touched the pavé crystal heart-shaped pendant on her neck, reminding herself not to repeat the gesture in front of Platt. Inside the pendant was a microphone, so that Jake would be able to hear everything that was transpiring and call for backup if necessary. The car was already waiting for her downstairs. It was time to get going; she didn’t want to keep Platt waiting. She made sure her wig and her contact lenses were secure, took one last look at herself in the mirror, grabbed her purse, and headed out the door.
After the limousine driver had dropped her off by Platt’s townhouse, Ally waited several seconds on the front step to collect her bearings and then rang the bell. The door opened almost instantly and a liveried footman ushered her inside.
“Mr. Platt is expecting you,” he said even before Ally could introduce herself. “Please follow me.”
Ally followed the footman inside the house; she was stunned by how large the place was. She’d seen the architectural drawings that Jake had been able to procure for her, but seeing the house in person was a different experience. The vaulted ceiling soared over her head at an enormous height, and an ornate futuristic device of a chandelier flooded the space with bright light; everywhere there was marble and steel in clean, minimalistic lines. They entered an
enormous dining room. Here the lights were dimmed and there was a small dining table set up in the corner of the room. Ally looked around—this place was so huge that if she screamed no one would hear her. She felt grateful to Jake for insisting that she wear a microphone. Platt’s place gave her the creeps, just like the man himself.
“Emily, I’m so glad you could make it,” Platt greeted her, entering the room in slow, sweeping steps.
“Blaine! I must say that you startled me coming out of nowhere like that.”
“Apologies, my dear. Startling you is the least of my intentions,” he said, pressing her hand to his lips. “I hope you don’t mind the small table. I thought we could use the space in case we decided to dance.”
“I’m always up for dancing,” Ally laughed, patting his arm. Inside she was so nervous she was nearly shaking.
“Shall we?” Platt gestured at the dinner table.
He pulled out the chair for her and waited for her to be seated. Just as they sat down, the lights grew brighter, revealing a piano in the corner. Four musicians quietly entered the room and took their seats in the corner.
“Don’t you just love Verdi?” Platt asked.
“I adore him,” Ally played along. “But I must say I’m surprised by your choice of music. Given your taste in painting, I thought you’d opt for something more modern.”
“I’m full of surprises.”
“I can see that.”
He rang the bell and a footman entered the room and opened the champagne bottle that stood in the ice bucket.
“Would you like to select your meal now?” Platt asked her.
Ally nodded, surprised to find a printed menu on her plate.
“I personally recommend the pheasant,” Platt suggested. “It’s the cook’s best dish. But both the fish and steak are also very good.”
“I’ll try the pheasant. It’s my daddy’s favorite. Personally I never had much of an appetite for it, but maybe you’ll be able to convert me.”
“I will do my best.” Platt smiled. “And you must try the caviar and foie gras.”
“It sounds like you’ve got it all planned out.” Ally pushed her menu away.
The footman noted their selection and left the room.
“To tonight.” Platt lifted the champagne bottle and filled Ally’s and his glasses.
Ally clinked her glass against Platt’s and lifted it to her lips. As she drank the bubbly liquid, she eyed Platt’s glass out of the corner of her eye. Inside the low cut of her dress she had a tiny vial with a substance so potent it could knock out a horse. At least that’s what Rebecca had told her, and Ally hoped it was the truth. But first she needed to get Platt to be alone with her.
“Would you like to dance?” Platt asked, offering his arm.
“I’d love to.”
The musicians switched to a slow foxtrot and Platt gracefully glided across the floor with her.
“I must say that you’re a wonderful dancer,” Ally remarked.
“I could tell how much you enjoyed it the other night and I wanted to make this night special. I know I shouldn’t get ahead of myself, but I’ve planned a little surprise for you for after dinner.”
“I thought you were going to show me your art collection and make a convert out of me,” Ally teased him, hoping her Southern drawl concealed her nervousness. Surprise from Blaine Platt was the last thing she needed.
“That’s the surprise. You’ll see. But first, dinner.”
Just then two waiters entered with their first courses, and Platt escorted Ally back to her seat.
“Do you like caviar?”
“I must say that I’m more of a meat and potatoes kind of girl. My daddy adores it, though. He orders all kinds.”
“Let me know what you think after you try this one.”
Ally opened the small gold jar on her plate, and as she did so she realized that the feel and heaviness of it made it clear that it was made of real gold. She was even more surprised to discover what was inside. “I’ve never seen white caviar before!”
“It comes from albino sturgeon. Try it.”
She scooped a small amount onto the gold spoon that accompanied the jar. “Mmm, it’s delicious.”
“Melts on the tongue,” Platt said, watching her intently.
“Yes, that’s the perfect way to describe it.” She reached for a glass of champagne to wash down the fishy aftertaste. It might be a delicacy, but she’d never been a fan. Still, she wasn’t about to disappoint Platt. “So tell me,” she said, eyeing him over the rim of her glass, “do you usually invite unknown girls to your house and throw lavish dinners for them?”
He smiled. “No. Only very special girls.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He took a sip of his champagne. “I lead a very busy life. My work is very rewarding, but it can also be very stressful. I like to find ways to experience new things and discover new people. I find it helps me to stay balanced.”
“I can see that. I must say both your love and professional lives are the subject of almost every publication out there.”
“I see someone’s been doing their homework.”
“Russell was very worried about me coming here, but once he saw how famous you were, he seemed to relax. I told him that this was a purely business meeting, that you’d agreed to help me find a job.”
“And is it the only thing you’d like it to be? A business meeting?”
She lowered her eyelashes. “I’d like to get to know you better and take it from there.”
“I like the sound of that. And just so you know, I did my homework on you too. I’d love to come and visit your father some time. He sounds like a fascinating individual.”
“Thank you.” Ally gulped. It was a good thing that the agency had thoroughly substantiated her alias’s background, even down to an owner of an oil plant who’d agreed to act as Emily Malone’s father.
“Ah, here comes the pheasant.” Platt rubbed his hands in anticipation.
Ally thanked the waiter and eyed the plate before her. The dish looked to be delicate and the portion was small, but her stomach was all in knots. She doubted she could manage even a single bite.
“So, what’s the verdict?” Platt asked, eyeing her expectantly.
Ally cut a small piece of the dish and lifted it to her lips. She chewed it tentatively. Even through her nervousness she could taste how well the dish was cooked. “It’s delicious.”
“I’m glad you like it. I stole the chef who cooked it from Le Bernadin. He now works for me.”
“You have excellent taste,” Ally complimented him. But then you can afford it, she thought. This dinner was dragging on far too long. It was time to dispatch with the pleasantries and get down to the real purpose of her visit. She took a few more bites of the pheasant and pushed her plate away. “I’m stuffed. Now how about that famous art collection of yours you were going to show me?”
Platt dabbed a napkin to his lips. “I must say you’re impatient.”
“Patience has never been one of my virtues.”
“Very well. We can have dessert brought to the gallery.”
“Or you could dismiss your staff and we could have a drink, just the two of us.”
Platt arched an eyebrow. “I’m starting to like your impatience.” He rang for the footman and whispered a few words of instructions into his ear.
After the footman left the room, Platt rose from his seat and offered Ally his arm. Ally followed him into the depths of the house. Her heart was beating so wildly she thought it was going to jump out of her chest. He stopped in front one of the doors and opened it. Inside it was a library with rows of towering bookcases. The bindings looked to be first editions.
“This is my other favorite room in the house,” Platt explained. “But it requires its own dedicated tour, so we’ll have to come back to it.” He pointed at the bar that stood along the wall. “We just need to pick up some supplies. How do you feel about cognac, Emily?
I find that cognac is the best accompaniment to art.”
“Oh, I adore a shot of cognac after dinner.”
“Good.” Platt picked up a bottle of Louis XIII cognac and two cognac snifter glasses. “I think we’re all set.”
Everything this man had was top notch. Ally knew that this kind of cognac could run anywhere upwards of three thousand dollars a bottle, but then he could afford it. For all his talk about money not being important, Infinity Capital was bringing in astronomical profits.
They went up the stairs to the third floor. The entire time Ally tried to reconcile her physical location in the house with the blueprints she’d examined with Jake in preparation for tonight’s visit. At the top of the stairs, Ally broke away from Platt.
“Oh I just can’t wait to see it!” she exclaimed as she pulled on the first door to the left.
“You don’t want to go in there—nothing but boring papers behind that door. It’s my office.”
“I beg your pardon. I just assumed that this was the right room,” she lied. She’d suspected that it was the door to Platt’s office and she was glad to have the information confirmed. “I’m getting ahead of myself.”
“Nothing to apologize for. I’ll be glad to give you a grand tour afterwards, but first, the art.”
Platt walked a few steps to the right and stopped by the next door. He punched in the combination on the electronic lock. Then he pulled out an electronic key from his pocket and was about to swipe it. A small, rectangular object on his keychain caught Ally’s attention.
“What’s that?” she asked.
“What?”
“The ornament on your keychain. It’s funny looking.”
“Oh, it’s just a souvenir from work. It’s my totem. I like to carry it around as a reminder of importance of hard work and precision.” He showed her the keychain. On it was the exact same chip model that Ally had obtained from the Pollux plants.
“Interesting little trinket. Does it have a purpose?”
“Yes, it does. It’s a chip used in nuclear reactors.”
“Oh, I remember now. You’re the fella who got that huge contract with Pollux plants, right? And you bought out the company that had the original contract because something went wrong with it. I can’t remember exactly, but I do remember that it was all over the papers a few months ago.”
