But her father never came home again. Except in a box for his own funeral.
Focus, Tori, she chided herself in a whisper, slamming the door on those tender memories of Victor. She was here to complete a mission, not to reminisce about what might have been.
Hidden at her sides, Toris fingers stretched and curled in a balletic display of controlled dexterity. She wasnt nervous so much as steeped in adrenaline. She was far more comfortable taking action than biding her time.
The Westin name had gotten her in the door. Her credentials as an appraiser would give her access to Meades reputedly extensive collection. Then thered be time for plenty of action.
She settled back into the chair, easing the anticipatory energy from her posture. Thoughts of her father and foolish schoolgirl fantasies were firmly tucked away. Agent Westin was in control once more. Correction, Professor Westin was in the house. She was good to go.
Ms. Westin?
Tori shot to her feet at the male voice, tinged with a hint of arrogance and a full dose of down-home charm.
Or should I say Professor? Doctor?
Victorias fine. She extended her hand to the thirty-something man in the crisp white tennis outfit. Six feet tall, maybe. Compactly built. Not one strand of his light-brown hair looked out of place. This wasnt the white-haired patriarch from the Customs Department briefing file.
Victoria, hmm? He savored her name as if hed taken a sip of pricey champagne.
Too smooth, too handsome, for her tastes. Definitely more her mothers type.
He folded her hand up in his and smiled. Im Chad Meade. Jerichos nephew.
The grip on her hand tightened when she would have pulled away, and she could have sworn the stroke of his thumb was an intentional caress. A shiver of revulsion skittered along her spine, dredging up an instant sense of distrust.
Fortunately, he misread the confusion that must have shown on her face. Hes resting right now. But since I manage the estate and oversee the acquisition and donation of his collection, I thought we should get acquainted. I want to help any way I can.
I see. Tori pulled her hand away, resisting the urge to wipe it clean against her thigh. I hope Mr. Meade isnt ill. I was looking forward to getting started with cataloging right away. Its exciting to think he has so many pieces, he cant keep track of them all. Who knows what Ill discover.
Admirable work ethic. Hell like that. He gestured for her to retake her seat and crossed to a tray of ice and drinks in the corner. Can I get you anything?
At two in the afternoon? Tori crossed her legs at the ankle and feigned a relaxed pose. Nothing for me, thanks. To his credit, Chad bypassed the decanted liquor and filled a tall glass with ice and sparkling water. Will I be reporting to you, then? she asked.
That remains to be seen. He turned and raised his glass in a toast. How closely would you like to work together?
She didnt plan to have anyone looking over her shoulder, especially this starched and tanned loverboy. Tori pulled her reading glasses from her bag and put them on to emphasize the bookish, Im-not-here-to-flirt role shed come to play. I tend to be pretty independent. Since the list I was given is out-of-date, it might be easier if I go from room to room to document items as I go. The job can be tedious and time consuming, and it sounds like youre a busy man. Im contentand more productivewhen I work alone.
Seemingly undaunted by a pair of wire frames, Chad took a drink and crossed to the desk. He leaned against the edge of the dark cherry wood immediately in front of her, forcing her to tilt her chin up to maintain eye contact.
Keep in mind, Victoria He nodded to a line in the paneling that ran parallel to the edge of the redbrick fireplace. Shed already spotted the hinges on the bookshelf marking a hidden door. This old Victorian monstrosity is filled with secret rooms and passageways a stranger could get lost in. We had a new maid here once who went down to the cellar for a bottle of wine and ended up missing in the catacombs for two days. Needless to say, by the time we found her, she wasnt inclined to return to work, so we let her go. For your own safetyas well as protection of Jerichos artifactsuntil our chief clears you, youll be restricted to certain areas of the house.
But Ill need access to every room, even the hidden ones, in order to do my job completely.
True, my uncles taste in fine things goes through the entire house. Nonetheless, there are restricted areas throughout the estate. I doubt the chief would look too favorably upon finding you where you shouldnt be. He flashed a smile as white as his shorts, then stood and circled behind her chair. He traced his fingertips along the sleeve of her jacket, marking a trail from wrist to shoulder. Of course, I, too, have an appreciation for fine things. Perhaps I could personally show you some of the more valuable items we keep behind locked doors.
Tori stared deep into the grain of the desk, resisting the urge to clench her fists at the unwelcome touch. She had a feeling breaking and entering, and risking the wrath of Jericho Meade would be preferable to spending time in close quarters with this lothario.
The chief? she asked, keeping her voice even. You mean Mr. Meade?
Irked by her lack of interest in his offer, the charm bled from Chads voice. Our chief of security. Cole Taylor. Chad stalked to the drink cart and splashed some brown liquor into his water. He drank half the glass before speaking again. He used to be a cop. Lost his badge on a corruption charge. The rest of his drink disappeared in another long swallow and he refilled the glass, ignoring the water this time. Taylor saved the old mans life one night, and now hes the golden boy. He guards Jericho and all thats his with the devotion of a damn puppy. Hes the one you really need to worry about.
So shed heard.
Chads smile was firmly back in place when he faced her again. But shed glimpsed the chink in his plastic exterior. Was it jealousy over Taylors quick rise in the family hierarchy? Contempt over golden boys qualifications for the job? Mistrust because Jericho had let an ex-cop into the fold?
Tori didnt push. Curiosity aside, she wasnt here to investigate crime family disharmonyunless she needed to use it as leverage to achieve her own agenda.
So when can I meet Mr. Taylor? Though shed have a hard time feigning respect for a man she knew to be a crooked cop, she had to play the protocol game, or risk her cover. The sooner I get started, the sooner I can have the estimates for your uncle.
Why are you so anxious to get to work, Victoria? Chad bolted his drink and strolled back to the desk.
Because its the job Mr. Meade hired me to do?
He, apparently, didnt appreciate flippancy. He sank into the chair behind the desk. Neither of them was smiling now. Im Mr. Meade, he stated, emphasizing his claim to authority while sounding for all the world like a petulant child. Id think youd want to be making a better impression on me. My uncle is in his late seventies. His mind and health are failing and hes tired all the time. Im the one who arranged to have you hired. Were trying to avoid a legal nightmare with insurance claims and make sure his wishes are carried out after his death.
The library door opened with a quiet swish across the carpet. Dont write me off just yet, Chad.