Chapter 21

NICOLETTE

Shirley cleared her throat, and Mr. Andretti blinked. And I could move again.

“Uh, Mr. Andretti, sir,” she said hesitantly.

He looked at her, then stepped back from me and smiled. “Miss Holland—or is it Mrs.?”

“It’s Ms., actually.” I released the hair from behind my ear.

“Ms. Holland,” he continued, extending his hand, “it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

I shook it and looked at Shirley as if to say, “What was that all about?”

But she looked as confused as I was. And more than a bit uncomfortable.

Mr. Andretti returned to the table and extended his arm to the seat opposite his. “Please sit, Ms. Holland. We’ve much to talk about.”

He settled into his seat just as Shirley grabbed the back of the chair beside him. He raised a hand to stop her. “You are dismissed, Ms. Banks. I can take it from here.”

She looked at me with concern, then remorse. It was the look women gave to other women when they didn’t want to leave them alone with a creep but they had to.

A pit formed in my stomach and my hands grew clammy. But I knew she had to go, so I nodded slightly to signal I’d be fine, and she gave me a small smile.

She turned to Mr. Andretti. “Thank you, Mr. Andretti. Have a good evening.”

I watched her go and waved when she looked back. Then I went to the cushioned chair opposite him. My hands trembled as I pulled it out and sat.

I could feel his eyes on me the second Shirley left, and they still were now as I set my briefcase down and grabbed the papers I needed, placing them on my lap.

“So you’re interested in the mirror I found in Malta.” I kept my voice as calm and professional sounding as possible.

“I am,” he said.

“May I ask why?” I figured I’d get as many answers as I could before I told him the bad news.

“I collect them.”

I began to wonder if this guy dabbled in politics. “But what’s your interest in this mirror? In particular?”

“It’s old. I collect old mirrors.”

“Mr. Andretti, if you are going to continue to dance around my questions, then I will just go.” I looked him straight in the eyes to show I was serious.

He leaned back in his seat and his eyes hardened. Then they softened and he sighed. “Ms. Holland, I have a tendency to get…obsessed. When I found out about the mirror, I knew I had to have it.”

“Which leads to my next question. The details of our Malta find haven’t been published yet, so how did you find out about the mirror?” I leaned forward and folded my arms on the table.

“I have many sources in the antiquities trade. And I compensate them well.” He gave me a smug smile and my stomach knotted.

It was Darien’s smug smile. I’d swear it was the same. ~Were they related?~ The thought startled me, so I let it go.

I leaned back and knew there was no point asking more questions. If he knew about the mirror’s magic, he wouldn’t tell me. And he’d never tell me his sources. So it was time to break the news.

“Thank you for answering my questions, Mr. Andretti, but I’m afraid I have bad news.” I placed my hands on the folder in my lap.

He leaned forward and raised both eyebrows.

“Upon discovery of the mirror, I was given the opportunity to keep it. I instead donated it to the Costard University Museum.” I pulled out and handed him the letter of acceptance from the university.

His neck became slightly red around the collar. He took the form and read it carefully. “There are no restrictions or conditions here.” He looked up at me.

“Correct. I gave them none.” I nodded.

He visibly relaxed and smiled. A genuine, excited smile. “So I can purchase it from them. That’s wonderful news.”

“That’s not the end of the story.” I saw his smile fade and I grew nervous to tell him. If he were like Darien, he wouldn’t handle disappointment well.

He set the form down. “Please continue, then.”

“Not giving restrictions was my mistake. I hadn’t noticed it. But the university had. They sold it a week ago.”

The red at his collar spread all the way up to his face, and I waited for him to explode.

But he just inhaled deeply and leaned back in his chair, hands in his lap. “And where is the mirror now?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know. It was a confidential sale. Anonymous buyer.”

“Can you ask the university to reach out to the buyer? Tell them I’ll pay anything.” He was getting desperate.

“I’ve already tried, I’m sorry. They won’t release that information to me.” I did my best to sound unhelpful and as equally frustrated.

His redness was retreating back down to his collar. He knew it was done, that my hands were tied. He’d have to find another way to get the mirror. He looked at me and nodded.

“If there’s nothing else you need from me, I’ll be going, then.” I opened the folder in my lap and reached for the letter on the table.

His hand darted out and covered mine, holding it in place.

“Actually, Ms. Holland,” he said, “stay. Have lunch with me. There’s another matter I’d like to discuss with you.”