Reading Online Novel

The French Billionaire(3)





Emily froze for a second or two. They weren’t supposed to know who she was.



Both men said, “Mignon.” She held up her hand. “No. I will not be quiet on this point. We have paintings worth millions in a house that boasts a security system a full six decades old. We are an excellent target. Should I withhold my comments and feel sorrow at your graves that I didn’t raise my voice? No.” She glanced at Emily with suspicion. “Miss Goodson has qualifications that cover her field. That is good. But if we are broken into, will she be of value.”



Emily breathed a sigh of relief. She could simply tell the truth, about this, at least. She said, “I did an internship on security and security systems with the L.A. County Art Museum. My real qualification comes from my father who is a policeman and my two brothers and one sister who are policemen and the many discussions I have listened to growing up in a house full of cops. Also, I am certified to carry a concealed weapon and have qualified with the pistol in the LAPD reserve force. I will be happy to come to my job armed, if you wish.”



Mignon nodded. “That is good. For myself, yes, bring the pistol with you every day. Someone should be able to keep me alive in case of trouble.”



Reynard said, “You should have listed that on your resume.”



“Yes, I should.”



Alain said, “Lunch is served. Prepare yourselves.” He placed four individual plates in front of Reynard, Emily and Mignon and the empty chair. He announced, “Bouchée à la Reine. Chicken breasts with morel mushrooms and onions. We will eat it with white wine and the béchamel sauce I prepared.” He placed four dishes with a simple salad and bottles of oil and vinegar in the center of the table.



Conversation stopped as they concentrated on the food. In fifteen minutes, it was gone and all sat back and wiped their mouths on the linen napkins by their plates.



Emily said, “That was magnificent. Alain, you are a wizard.” She happened to glance at Mignon when she said the words. Mignon glowed with pride.





Chapter Two




Emily signed some documents and left the incredible mansion. She drove past a car parked down the road a hundred yards. It demanded attention. Even in Los Angeles, a city known for conspicuous consumption, a Lamborghini Sesto Elemento stands out. Lamborghini extended itself for the Sesto Elemento. Built mainly of carbon fiber, the Sesto Elemento weighs only 2,200 pounds, no more than a small Volkswagon, and sports a V10 engine of 570 horsepower. It uses Prosaic heatproof glass to form the exhaust system and can run from zero to sixty in 2.5 seconds. It costs $2.2 million. It looks like someone put good aerodynamics on a shark.



Emily saw the driver of the car standing in the six foot high underbrush, looking back at the house with binoculars. She took a quick image with her phone and drove home.



The next day, Reynard showed Emily her desk and computer and the rooms in which the paintings were hung.



As they toured the huge home, Reynard said, “Are you from Los Angeles?”



“Yes. I was born in Hollywood and raised in the valley. You’re French obviously. Your English is excellent. When did you arrive in the United States?”



Reynard opened his mouth to speak and paused.



She knew when someone was lying because it had been discussed over dinner. People telling the truth don’t have to prepare beforehand. They simply go into a description of the event. It doesn’t flow smoothly. When they lie, they’ve prepared their statements before they say them. It flows without error and sounds like a speech.



Reynard said, in words that came out without hesitation, “I came here when I was seventeen. I attended school in New York and graduated from NYU. My family has been in art for six generations. They’re in New York City. I have three brothers and a sister.” As an afterthought, he added, “I wish I could see them more often.



Emily asked, “Do you know anyone who drives a Lamborghini Sesta Elemento?”



Reynard looked down and shook his head. “No. I wish I did. I’d ask to borrow it.” He rushed along to get to the next room.



Twenty minutes later, Reynard asked Emily to sit at her computer while he showed her the software for processing acquisitions. Emily noticed that Reynard hovered near her. She’s worn a very expensive fragrance that day in case he got close enough to smell her. She could feel his breath on her neck.



She, very carefully, turned her head to ask him a question about the software. He, just as carefully, turned toward her. Their lips were within an inch of each other. She glanced down at his lips. He began to lean toward her then, at the last second, turned his head toward the screen.