Page 120

Then he does.

“Where is Mr. Adams?”

CHAPTER 45

EMMA

The man behind the desk is still waiting for an answer.

“I don’t know where Mr. Adams is.”

His attention shifts from me to Marta’s assistant. “How did Mr. Adams get into this house?”

“He said he was with Ms. Calloway.”

I nod. “He did say that.”

“After he was already inside.”

“Yes.”

The man turns back to the assistant. “How long was he alone in this room?”

The assistant hesitates.

“Three or four minutes.”

“Four?”

“Maybe less.”

“And you left him here.”

“He said he needed to make a call.”

The man says nothing.

The assistant looks at me. “He knew everything. Her name. The appointment. Why she was here.”

“All true,” I say. “Which is generally what makes a lie effective.”

No one seems interested in that distinction.

One of the men who brought me here sets my phone on the desk. Both escorts head for the door. I look past them into the hall before it closes.

No André.

The guard beside Marta’s assistant stays.

Assuming André survives, I have at least spared us the usual postdate exchange before one of us stops answering. Had a great time. Me too. We should do it again.

His version is going to require more thought.

Had a great time until the kidnapping. Hope your husband’s friends didn’t kill you. Still free Thursday?

Marta’s assistant shifts in his chair.

“My tablet,” he says. “Everything is on there. Messages. Times. Notes from the assessment. I can show you.”