“Send them.”
They arrived five minutes later.
Seven years old.
The first email was from Victoria to Adrian.
Subject: VALE.
I stared at the screen.
Then opened it.
Adrian,
I confirmed the daughter will attend the Keating Foundation dinner Saturday. Eleanor Vale, thirty-two. Stephen Vale’s trust is still intact and structured exactly as Thomas remembered.
She is unmarried.
No siblings.
Do not be obvious.
I stopped reading.
The room seemed to move.
I sat on the edge of the bed.
Another email.
Adrian to Victoria.
What does she like?
Victoria’s response.
Architecture, restoration, old books, Vermont. Her father took her to Woodstock every fall. There’s a bookstore called Baker & Pine she apparently adores.
My hands began shaking.
No.
Another.
Victoria:
I’ve arranged the seating. Charles Keating owes me a favor. She will be at Table 14.
Adrian:
Beside me?
Victoria:
Obviously.
I could hear my own breathing.
