one.
âJulia mentioned she saw you head this way,â a voice startles me.
Brand.
âSomething I can help you with?â
Shit.
âI was looking for a bathroom,â I shoot back.
I start walking toward the fireplace slowly, to make it appear Iâm just casually wandering around.
âThe fireplace caught my eye as I walked past. Once I peeked in and saw the chessboard, wellââ I go on.
Brand looks down to his left at the small table with the chessboard on top, as if to make the point itâs all the way back toward the doorway. So why had I crossed the entire room?
He looks at me again.
âYou a big fan of the game?â
Iâve never played once.
âI am.â
âMe too,â Brand counters. âPerhaps we can square off one day.â
âPerhaps we can,â I respond.
âCome on. Iâll help you find a bathroom.â
I follow Brand out of the study.
CHAPTER 8
S T . M AXIME , F RANCE
2004
The phone rang. Neo, who had fallen asleep on the lounge chair next to mine, sprang onto all fours like a cartoon character. I pulled my eyes from the gulf waters glimmering with orange light from sunset. I looked at the Audemarsâ1:38 pm in New York, which meant 7:38 pm on the Côte dâAzur.
I walked back inside. On the fourth ring, I decided not to pick it up. Hopefully, it was housekeeping telling me because of the âPrivacyâ sign they hadnât been able to make up the room. My stomach dropped after ten seconds of silence when it began ringing again. Now it occurred to meâif the hotel personnel knew categorically I was there, my not picking up would be suspicious.
âHello?â
âGood evening, Mr. Gordon. It is Brigette from reception. I had the pleasure of checking you in two nights ago.â
âOf course,â I replied. âGood evening.â
âHow has your stay been thus far? Are you finding everything that you need?â
âI am. Thank you.â
âI just wanted to check with you regarding your credit card,âshe continued. âAccording to you at check-in, American Express said you would receive your replacement card today. Unfortunately, there is no record of any packages arriving for you today.â
âOh, you know, youâre right,â I countered, a touch of surprise sprinkled into my voice. âIâve been so preoccupied, I must have subconsciously blocked out anything whatsoever that has to do with responsibility.â
I had hoped for a little laugh. Which I didnât get.
âI am happy we were able to accommodate you upon arrival,â Brigette went on, âbut it is strict hotel policy that we must keep a card on file for all guests. Now Iâmââ
âBrigetteâsay no more,â I cut her off. âIâll call American Express right now, and get back to you.â
âThank you, Mr. Gordon. I appreciate your assistance.â
I hung up. Still staring at the phone, concocting my next credit card story, it rang again.
âYes, Brigette?â
Silence. There was a long pause. Was this it, I thought? Was it already time for my next big play?
Do I say hello again? Or do I hang up?
Just as I was about to speak, the first word about to leapfrog the back of my tongue, I heard a voice.
âJonah?â
I sucked in a swallow of air.
âPerry?â I said, in a near whisper.
âIâm here,â she went on, her voice stern. âWeâre here.â
Max. Her son.
She stopped. I heard a sniffle. She continued.
âWeâre in St. Maxime. We just got here. What room are you in?â
Hearing her voice shocked, awed, relieved, and confused me. I was stuck in no-manâs land. My previous life was freshly behind me. Yet after what happened at the market it already felt a thousand years away.
âI ⦠I, whatââ
âDonât even
think
of cracking on me now, tough guy,â she blasted
Maggie Brendan
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