The Lost Plot by Genevieve Cogman

Author:Genevieve Cogman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pan Macmillan UK

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

‘Come and have a seat, Lily,’ George said, beckoning her forward. ‘You too, Miss Jeanette. This gentleman’s like you. An entrepreneur from out of town.’

Dave pulled out chairs for Lily and Irene. Lily took the chair on the other side of her boss, watching Hu and Irene as if she expected to see the dragon and the Librarian exchange secret codewords and meaningful handshakes. Which meant that Irene had to sit with Lily on one side and Hu on her other.

‘This gentleman here’s Mr Hu,’ George explained. ‘He’s come from Hong Kong, looking for business opportunities. And this lady here’s Miss Jeanette Smith from England, who’s doing similar.’ He smiled at the two of them. ‘All I can say is, if either of you is thinking of an exclusive contract with me, well, business is business.’

‘Delighted to meet you, Miss Jeanette Smith,’ Hu said. He offered his hand to be shaken.

Oh, so that’s how we’re going to play it. Irene shook his hand politely, conscious of everyone at the table – and quite a few at other tables – watching them. ‘Charmed,’ she said. ‘What a pleasant surprise.’

‘For me as well,’ Hu said. His eyes glittered with vicious amusement.

‘I’d love a drink,’ Irene said, turning to George. ‘Straight whiskey, if you don’t mind. I’d be interested to test the house quality.’

George snapped his fingers and a waiter was at his side a moment later. ‘Straight whiskey for the lady. Gin for my Lily. Gin and tonic for Mr Hu here, and what was it you said before? The best ice in the house.’

Hu casually lit a cigarette. ‘Do you intend to be here in New York for long, Miss Smith?’ he asked. ‘Or should I call you Jeanette . . . Or something else?’

Irene shrugged. Across the room, the piano music changed to something with a faster beat. ‘As George here knows, I just want to finish my business and get out of town.’

‘Yes, I hear you’ve been interviewed by the chief of police.’ Hu gestured with his cigarette to where a folded newspaper lay on the table. ‘Very dramatic. Do you really go round hypnotizing people?’

Irene could sense Lily’s tension on her other side, like a coiled spring. Having a dragon at the table must be grating. ‘I suppose he had to give the papers some sort of excuse for why he let me go,’ she said pleasantly. ‘Clearly the man’s wasting his time as a policeman. He should be writing cheap novels featuring sinister masterminds.’

George and Hu both laughed, and Dave joined in a moment later in quick sycophantic agreement. Lily didn’t laugh. Her gaze shifted from Hu to Irene like a gun’s sights.

‘So why did he let you go?’ George asked.

‘Why do you think?’ Irene tapped her handbag.

‘A policeman’s bank account is limited,’ Hu agreed. ‘Like most professionals, really. Doctors, policemen, even librarians . . .’

‘Not my problem, fortunately,’ Irene said.

‘Come now, Miss Jeanette,’ George said, as the waiter set drinks in front of them. ‘Money’s everyone’s problem.

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