Chapter 24 #2
“She works in a boutique public relations firm, right?”
“Yeah, based on her LinkedIn. It’s a small place, but they seem to have some major names as clients. At least, major names for Richmond.”
“I think it will be a walk in the park, Red. We just need to get in the door.”
* * *
Thirty minutes later they pulled into the parking garage next to Scarlett’s office building. Dylan turned the truck into a larger corner space, put the vehicle in park, and cut the engine. The two of them finished their coffees and climbed out simultaneously.
Dylan grabbed her blazer from the back and held it open for her to put on.
She slid her arms through the sleeves, and he smoothed his hands down the shoulders as he released it.
His breath fanned across her neck for a moment before he stepped away, heading toward the stairs without a word.
He clearly wasn’t experiencing the same hormonal frenzy she was, as her blood heated and goose bumps rose all across her body.
She massaged the sore spot on her chest that twinged more with the distance he put between them.
Maybe he wasn’t affected by her like she was by him.
She took a deep breath before following him on slightly unsteady legs. There were a few people lingering around the building’s lobby, but it was quiet enough that their footsteps echoed off the marble floors and high ceiling.
A quick scan of the building’s directory posted next to the elevators told them the office they needed was on the fourth floor. They climbed into the elevator, using the journey to get into the characters they’d decided on during the drive.
Before the elevator doors opened, Dylan reached over and grabbed her hand closest to him, threading his fingers through hers gently. She felt the small contact down to her toes, which curled in her heels at the sideways smile he gave her.
“Ready, Mrs. Holloway?”
Her breath caught in her lungs and her eyes widened as he called her the name she used to dream about one day having. She squeezed his hand.
“Ready, Mr. Holloway. But fake names, remember?”
The doors opened with a soft ding, and they stepped into a sleek professional waiting room.
The style was minimalist and decorated in simple black, white, and beige details.
The room had four white cushioned chairs for clients to wait in, paired off and facing each other.
Two black side tables sat in between the chairs on either side.
The classic home and lifestyle magazines, typical to waiting rooms, sat on the tables, fanned in a perfect wave, not a single one out of place in the display.
A young woman sat behind the reception desk on the left, her blonde hair pulled back in a slick and severe bun that made Kelsi wince imagining the painful pull against her scalp.
Her lips were painted a blood red, and she was tapping her acrylic nails on the counter as if they were wasting her time by not rushing over to her.
“How can I help you?”
Her nasally voice was bored, and she popped a bubble, vigorously chewing gum while Dylan and Kelsi had a thumb war under the counter to decide who had to speak.
Dylan’s thumb pinned hers, and she cursed him every way she knew in her mind.
Her brain short-circuited as his thumb lightly stroked hers in apology, but her hormones ran with it.
Kelsi put a, hopefully, dazzling smile on her face, giving the rude receptionist her full wattage.
“Hi! We’re the Woodses. My husband and I”—she clutched Dylan’s bicep, curling into him—“were hoping to get a meeting with Scarlett Frazier today, to get her expertise on PR for a charity we’re starting.
Is she available now? I thought about calling ahead, but the two of us had a rare moment to come in together, so we took advantage of it.
He’s very busy with his Fortune 500 company, you see. ”
The receptionist’s gaze grew rounder as she suddenly eyed them with new interest, clearly seeing dollar signs. “She has a busy itinerary today, but she’s in her office right now. Let me see if she has time to meet with you at such late notice. Please, have a seat and I’ll be right back with you.”
She stood and walked to the door behind her desk, and Kelsi caught sight of her precarious five-inch heels before the door closed behind her. They sat down in one chair, her on his lap and with Dylan’s arms around her. For the ploy, she reminded herself, but couldn’t help leaning into his body.
He dipped his mouth close to her ear and whispered, “If we’re the Woodses, am I Elle or are you?”
She shivered at the feel of his lips brushing her earlobe, and his arm tightened around her.
“I am. You’re Bruiser.” Her voice was breathy to her own ears, and she pulled back from him slightly to try to clear her head as he chuckled.
He was just her friend. She had to remind herself she couldn’t fall back into his trap again.
His touchy behavior was only an act, but it was confusing her.
It felt all too real, and it was too easy to slip into her old delusions.
Luckily, the door swung open and the receptionist strode back in, smiling now.
“Ms. Frazier said she’s willing to fit you both in for an impromptu meeting now, although she only has fifteen minutes until her next consultation.
If you’ll follow me.” She held the door until they reached her, then released it.
Dylan had to lunge to catch the swinging mass before it shut on Kelsi.
They followed the receptionist through the door and down the hallway to the second office on their right, which was made up of floor-to-ceiling glass windows to separate the office from the hallways.
She gave a perfunctory knock on the door before ushering them inside.
“Ms. Frazier, this is Mr. and Mrs. Woods.”
Kelsi recognized the woman behind the desk from the images she’d seen from the case file.
She had impeccably curled and dyed honey-blonde hair that fell above her shoulders, a tall slim figure, and soft brown eyes that spoke of an unexpected gentle demeanor.
She’d expected her to be cold and calculating, since she’d been friends with Charles McGuinness for so many years.
Scarlett stood from her desk and made her way to meet Kelsi and Dylan halfway into the room, giving them both a firm handshake.
“Thank you, Lauren.” She effectively dismissed the receptionist, who tossed her head and spun on a stiletto, closing the door behind her.
“It’s so lovely to meet you both. Please”—she gestured to the office chairs in front of her desk—“sit.”
Kelsi complied, sitting on the surprisingly comfortable chair. Dylan sat next to her, placing a hand on her knee, touching the bare skin her pencil skirt didn’t cover. Scarlett walked around her desk and relaxed into her large wingback chair.
“So,” Scarlett began, smiling at them both easily, “Lauren told me that you’re here for a consultation regarding a new philanthropy you’re hoping to establish?”
Kelsi took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. Dylan’s hand squeezed her knee in support.
“Actually, Ms. Frazier, we aren’t here for your PR counseling.”
Scarlett’s brow furrowed. “Speak plainly, Mrs. Woods. What are you here for?”
Kelsi leaned forward, placing a hand over Dylan’s on her knee to steady herself. “We’re both prosecutors for the Jefferson County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.”
Scarlett’s eyes widened in panic, and her hands turned white as she gripped the edge of her desk tightly.
“We were hoping to talk to you about some inconsistencies with your statements to the police after Tripp Daniels’s death.”