Secret Agent Santa by Linda Lewis

Author:Linda Lewis [Linda Lewis]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781459267374
Publisher: Harlequin

6

The next morning, Zach took the letters he’d pilfered from Mrs. Betancourt’s file cabinet to Custom House and gave them to the case agent. He asked that they be verified, and that a background investigation be done on Sylvie Sheridan.

“She owns a gallery. According to Chloe, she’s the one who handled the return of her father’s collection to South America.”

“Think she’s working with Betancourt?” Bobby Williams asked.

“Maybe. Or maybe she’s working alone. I’ve overheard several of their conversations, and they have never discussed the smuggling business.”

“So? They may suspect the place is wired.”

“I don’t think so. I think Chloe may not be involved at all.”

“You’re not taking this fiancé business too far, are you? Getting involved with a suspect would not be a good career move.”

“I know that,” Zach said, guilt making him curt “It just doesn’t make sense that Chloe would give away artwork worth thousands of dollars just so she could steal it, or stuff like it, back again.”

“I’ll have the letters checked. The Sheridan woman, too.”

Zach looked at his watch. “Call me as soon as you have anything. I’ve got to hustle or I’ll be late for work.”

He arrived a few minutes after nine o’clock. Chloe was waiting for him, but she didn’t comment on his tardiness. “We’ve got to plan our week.” She held up a stack of envelopes. “I’ve got invitations galore to go through.”

After looking through them, Chloe decided on a luncheon on Wednesday, a cocktail party Thursday night, and a dinner party on Friday. “The luncheon involves a fashion show. Not many men attend those.” She tapped the invitation against her chin, and looked at him pensively. “You do need some time to yourself, I suppose. For Christmas shopping. Have you decided whether or not you’re going home for the holidays?”

“Not yet”

“Well, I don’t really need an escort for the luncheon. I’ll see if Sylvie wants to go.”

The telephone rang. “I’ll get it.” Zach answered the phone, “Betancourt Coffees,” then handed her the receiver. “It’s the shipping broker.”

Chloe took the receiver from him, her fingers brushing his. “Hello. What’s up?” She listened for a few minutes, then hung up the telephone. “The Velásquez shipment is arriving Friday afternoon.”

Zach frowned. He could hope the dinner party would be over early, but he knew better. New Orleanians treated dining as an art form, and no dinner worth its cayenne pepper would end before ten or eleven o’clock. How could he get out of escorting Chloe on Friday night?

“Zachary?”

“Yes, sorry. Did you say something?”

“I said forget about Friday night. I’ve changed my mind about that invitation. The Delacroixs always have a brunch on New Year’s Day. I’ll touch base with them then.”

She looked as innocent as a baby, but why would she cancel dinner Friday night? Did she plan to be at the warehouse? Zach hoped not. He was ninety-nine percent sure Chloe was not involved in the smuggling, but that last one percent was proving illusive.

The percentage of uncertainty jumped a few points later in the week when Bobby Williams called him with a report.

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