“We’ve got the gala coming up.” They were the only words she’d spoken since Sam and Bianca arrived. “It’s for the animal shelter. We can’t miss it.”
“Absolutely not. A big event like that is too risky.”
Sam spoke up before Vivianne could have another aneurysm. “I don’t know who’s doing your security, but I consider all of what’s happened here to be under my purview. It’s only fair that I help fill any security holes for the charity gala. If it’s only one night, I’ve got some staff working other jobs who wouldn’t mind the overtime.”
“Fine. Heaven forbid those cats wait a little longer.” Vivianne turned to address her daughters. “And don’t forget, our monthly family dinner is next week. It’s important that everyone attend, now more than ever. We need to stick together as a family.”
She rose from her seat, silently dismissing everyone gathered in the room. While Bianca hung back and consoled her mother, the others trickled out of the penthouse and into the hallway leading to the elevator, their own bodyguards following in their wake.
As Bianca and her mother finally headed to the door, Sam stopped Vivianne just outside the doorway, waving Bianca on.
“Mrs. Black,” she said, once they were alone. “If there’s something you think I should know, please tell me. I can’t do everything possible to protect you and your family if I don’t have the whole story. If you know who is harassing you, or how they might have gotten in, I need to know.”
But Vivianne couldn’t even look her in the eye. And at that moment, all Sam saw was a scared, defeated woman who hadn’t slept soundly in weeks.
“Please, Vivianne. I can’t protect Bianca if I don’t know who to look out for.”
That got the woman’s attention. So that’s what makes you tick. Bianca, the vibrant young woman who carried the last of her mother’s hopes and dreams within her. The porcelain doll Vivianne would move the whole Earth to protect.
And at that moment, so would Sam. The answers she needed were on the tip of Vivianne’s tongue. She could see it. She could practically reach out and grasp them.
Yet all that came out of the woman’s mouth was, “I appreciate all you have done for us so far, Ms. Reddy.” She squared her shoulders, wiping any fear from her face. “But you already know everything necessary to protect us. I have full faith in you and your company.”
She shut the door and headed over to where the lead detective stood nearby. Sam watched her intently until Bianca tapped her on the shoulder and tipped her head toward the elevator at the end of the hall.
As they made their way back to Bianca’s apartment, Sam’s mind swam with thoughts of her client.
Vivianne Black is hiding something. Something big.