I Was Counting Down To Leave Him novel · Chapter 4 of 24

Chapter 4: After Two O'Clock

I read my lawyer's message three times before I answered.

[A folder of supplier papers. Langston kept the copy.]

Her reply came back at once.

[Get it. Tonight if you can.]

The rehearsal dinner was in the Saltmarsh House library, and I was seated between a chef and a stranger.

The place card beside mine read Elias Cushing.

I knew the name from the investor list.

Cushing Capital was putting eleven million dollars into Langston's next hotel.

He was already in his chair when I sat down.

He stood up first, which most men at that table had not done for anyone.

"You're Flora Marden," he said. "You built this weekend."

"My team did."

"I read the program. It lists Langston, his mother and Lydia Beaumont as hosts."

"Lydia is the brand director."

"And you're listed as a vendor."

I unfolded my napkin. "I am a vendor."

Elias studied the room for a moment.

He had short dark hair going grey at the temples, and he wore a navy sweater under his jacket instead of a tie.

"I've read every slide Ellery Hospitality has sent me this year," he said. "Your name isn't on one of them."

"Slides aren't my department."

"The hotel is your department. I walked it this afternoon. Every door closes quietly, and the fire exits are marked in a color I could read in the dark."

"You looked closely."

"I like to know who built what I'm paying for."

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