Three and a Half Weeks(140)
“Ian, do you have a plan of attack or are you just doing reconnaissance?”
“I have a tentative plan, but it’s entirely subject to change as needed. Come here,” he holds out his arms. “I don’t want you worrying. As long as you stick close to Mason, you’ll be fine, Ella. I promise.”
“What about you?” I choke out, upset now “will you be fine?”
Ian bends down to so our eyes are level. “I will be fine. I’m going in with protection and extreme caution. Plus, I can defend myself quite well.”
“Not against a gun or a knife. These people can be ruthless—you don’t know what they’re capable of, do you?”
“I suspect I do know but I’d rather not share it with you right now.” He smiles. “I’ll keep in touch, baby. Just make that phone call and get back to me with whatever info you manage to ferret out of her. Okay? I’ve got to go: Scott’s been waiting on me for nearly two hours.”
“Okay, go.”
He turns to grab his bag and head to the door. “Ian!”
His face shifts toward me. “Yes?”
I zip over to him and throw my arms around his neck. “I love you.”
“Ella, I love you, too. I’ll be back soon and we’ll spend some time together doing happy things for a change. No business dinners, no corporate events, no fights with ex-lovers or—employers. Just you, me, and some serious fun. Yes?”
Smiling broadly, I nod my head vigorously. “I’ll start planning right away. How does roller blading grab you?”
The look of horror that descends over his face leaves me giggling even after the door closes. Five minutes later, I miss him already—desperately.
Claudia phones me at ten-thirty with the contact info for one Eliza McQueen. The hand that is holding the paper on which I’ve written the number is shaking as if with palsy: obviously, I don’t want to do this but I promised Ian. I figure I’ll just bite the bullet and get it over with so I pick up the damn phone, deciding if she doesn’t pick up, I won’t leave a message. Or should I? How will I ever get in touch with her if she screens calls? Okay, maybe I will leave a message. While this internal debate is underway, a woman’s voice answers the phone.
“Hello?”
“Er… yes,” I stammer. “Is this Eliza McQueen?”
“It is. Who’s calling?”
“Um, Ms. McQueen, my name is Ella Strong and I used to work with Lucien Phillips. I wanted—”
“Let me stop you right there. Lucien and I are no longer together.”
“Please don’t disconnect,” I say hurriedly, because I think she’s about to. “I know you’re not together anymore. I worked for him very recently, Eliza, and I had an experience… a rather terrible one that left me with many questions. Just recently, my fiancé learned that one of his exes was involved with Lucien and asked if I might speak with you about it. Perhaps you might be able to shed some light on the matter. Maya also referred me to you. Will you speak to me?”
“Ella, did you say your name was?”
“Yes. Ella Strong.”
“Where are you calling from, Ella?”
Puzzled, I’m not sure what she’s asking. “Um, I’m calling from my home in Portland, Oregon.”
“I’m in Santa Barbara… in California. This is a conversation we really shouldn’t have over the phone. Since you’re the one requesting information, you should be the one to travel to me, don’t you think?”
“Yes, well, normally that wouldn’t be a problem but I’ve been threatened by Lucien’s friend so my fiancé won’t let me leave the house for the foreseeable future… at least not without my bodyguard.”
“Bring your bodyguard then.”
“Is it possible we can just talk over the phone? Initially?”
I hear Eliza sigh through the miles. “What do you want to know?”
What do I want to know? I’m just not sure but Ian advised me not to open with Natasha. I opt for vagueness. “Is there anything out of the ordinary you can tell me about Lucien or his… friends?”
There is a small sound of outrage from her. I immediately realize I need to give Eliza more information before I ask any questions.”
“Eliza, allow me to first explain what happened to me.” With that I give her the whole rundown, beginning with the call from Lara that hooked me up with Lucien in the first place and ending with Lucien’s explanation in Starbucks.
There’s a dense silence over there in Santa Barbara. I wait patiently for something from her, whatever she deigns to toss my way. “I can’t say I’m surprised by any of it, I’m sorry to say. You’re still missing some big pieces of the puzzle though. One huge piece, anyway.”