“Did she?”
For the first time, something flickered in his eyes.
“A staff member informed me,” he said.
“Which staff member?”
Caldwell’s smile remained, but its temperature dropped. “I’ll have to check.”
“You do that.”
A silence settled between us, polite enough for the hallway cameras and cold enough for both of us to understand.
He inclined his head. “Mr. Vance, the gala begins shortly. Several board partners are attending. I hope tonight’s unfortunate moment won’t overshadow what has been a very successful year for this property.”
“There are different kinds of success.”
“Certainly.”
“My daughter and I will not attend the gala.”
“I understand.”
“But I will speak with you tomorrow morning at eight.”
“Of course. In my office?”
“No. In the staff break room.”
His expression barely changed, which told me the request bothered him.
“The staff break room?”
“Yes.”
“May I ask why?”
“Because I’ve seen your lobby.”
I went back into the suite before he could answer.
At 7:42 the next morning, Lily stood on a chair by the table, carefully trimming the stems of the roses with safety scissors from her travel craft kit. Her hair was still messy from sleep, and she wore a yellow sweater Sarah had bought too large during her final winter. It fit now.
“The sad one needs extra water,” Lily said.
I poured a little more into the glass vase housekeeping had brought up.
“Which one is the sad one?”
She pointed to the bent bloom. “That one. It’s trying.”
I smiled despite the weight in my chest. “Your mom would agree.”