Shocked, I tried not to let my mouth drop open. “What kind of fundraiser?”
After taking a bite from his sandwich, he wiped his mouth. “Political.”
I blinked. “The fundraising for next year’s elections starts this early?”
He nodded. “I’m a little behind the ball and I have a lot of ground to make up.”
“I don’t know, Michael. Politics aren’t anything I know that much about.”
“Please, Elle, I could really use as much support as I can get.”
Not at all wanting to go, I felt like I should. “Can I think about it?”
Michael took another bite of his food. “Sure. My hope is that you’ll say yes. It’s at the University of Massachusetts and it’s a big one. We’re hoping to raise $250,000. A friend of mine was able to arrange for a well-connected alumnus to speak. He’s sure to attract a deep-pocketed crowd.”
“That’s great. I’m certain it will be a success. What is the dress code should I decide to attend?”
Reaching under the table, he pulled the bag out. “I hope you don’t mind, but I took the liberty of buying you something to wear. You look like you’re close to Elizabeth’s size, so I went with that.”
I wasn’t certain how to take that. On one hand it was nice of him; on the other, was he worried I wouldn’t know how to dress? I took the bag from him. “Thank you. I’m not sure what to say.”
He looked a little sheepish. “It’s not meant to offend you in any way, so please don’t take it like that. I just didn’t know if you’d have anything to wear to a black-tie affair and I didn’t want you to stress out about spending the money to purchase something. If you don’t like it or if it doesn’t fit, you can take it back and exchange it. Or if you have something you prefer to wear, you can keep it or return it.”
The sincerity in his voice pushed away any animosity I might have had. “No, I appreciate it. I don’t actually have anything formal and I’ll let you know by tomorrow. Let me look at my schedule.”
His phone beeped and he glanced at the screen. His face instantly paled. “I have to go.” He grabbed the bill that the waiter had discreetly placed on the table and then peeled off some twenties from his wallet before setting them inside the leather folio.
“What is it?” I asked.
He leaned forward and whispered, “The men who were supposed to deliver the product to your boutique were found shot to death in their van this morning.”
“What?” I felt ill. “Why? What’s going on?”
“That’s all I know.”
“Who told you?”
He ignored my question and sent a text message before he finally looked up and answered me. “A news text alert. I’m late for a meeting. I really should be going.”
For some reason, I didn’t believe him. I pushed my plate away. “It’s fine. I’m done.”
“Are you sure?”
I waved my hand. “Yes, go.”
“I’m sorry. I just can’t be late for this meeting with my br—” He stopped before finishing.
“I’ll be fine,” I said.
That was another lie.
I wasn’t sure I would be fine ever again.
I sat there, watching the rain out the window for the longest time. Something was going on. Something more than I had imagined. Would Logan have eliminated the deliverymen so as not to expose the fact that the product had actually been delivered to my boutique? I just didn’t think so. If not him, then who did? It was way too coincidental to be a random crime. I pondered it for a long while before leaving to go home in the pouring rain.
Later that evening, I was lying in my bed, my mind a web of tangled lies, lost love, and incoherent thoughts, when my phone rang.
I grabbed for it, hopeful, yet knowing I shouldn’t be. I was in the very state of mind that I wanted to avoid. I hated feeling like this. Glancing at the screen, the number attached to the call was blocked, but I answered anyway. “Hello?” I said quickly.
“Hello, Elle.”
“Who is this?”
The voice was deep. “Someone who wants to help you.”
“Who is this?” I asked again, this time louder.
“That’s not important but what is important is that you understand your role and understand that sometimes the toughest decisions are also the easiest. If you doubt you should say yes, just think of the little lives God has created and go forth wisely.”
Chills ran down my spine.
Say yes?
Say yes to what?
DAY 13
LOGAN
The general etiquette in black-tie dressing was that there should be no watch on your wrist. The unwritten rule stated that if a timepiece had to be worn, it should be a pocket watch, but if one absolutely must wear a wristwatch, it should be a slim dress version thin enough to hide underneath French cuffs.