Chapter 13: Sixty Thousand

Piers's POV

I had a different pen in my coat pocket, and I was early.

That was my whole reason for being in the lobby of Hartwell Court at ten to eight.

I had told myself it was a joke.

Then I saw the man by the radiator.

He had sandy hair and a navy overcoat, and he was holding out a thick cream envelope.

Ellery stood across from him with her bag held in both hands and her back very straight.

The porter's desk was empty.

"Sixty thousand dollars," the man was saying. "Paid today, to any account you name."

"I don't want it," she said.

"Your hospital bill is nine. I know the number, Ellery."

I watched that land on her face.

She had told nobody here the number.

I had read it on a discharge page in her file, and I had put the page back.

"Who told you that?" she said.

"I run a lot of accounts. Your insurer is not as private as it believes."

He smiled when he said it. It was an easy, friendly smile.

I crossed the tiles and stopped beside her.

"Good morning," I said. "Piers Ward. I supervise Miss Quillen's placement."

"Hugh Kinsman." He did not offer his hand, and I did not offer mine. "Tristan's friend."

"I know who you are. Rosalind described you. She was accurate."

His smile stayed exactly where it was.

"May I?" I said, and took the envelope out of his fingers.

There were two pages inside.

I read the first one standing up, with the lobby clock ticking over my shoulder.

"It says Miss Quillen will never discuss Kinsman Partners," I said.

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