Page 95 of The Sniper
I keep thinking about that day in the pool.How he sat in the kitchen while I ate breakfast each day.The way he teased me for doing Pilates.
Then he was gone.
Noah and I discussed the security for today earlier in the week, and it calmed my nerves.
“We’ll have the place surrounded, visibly, and as you know, Maison has their security.No one is going to get close.”
“Thanks, Noah.We should make a big fuss of handing it back to the company and show it driving away so no one bothers breaking into my house again.”
“Would Maison go along with that?”
“We can ask.”
Noah smiled.“Smart idea.”
They did.They agreed to do that backstage and show it happening live on social media.Sadie would livestream it.Everyone has been briefed.
The music begins, and across from us, the models begin lining up, lashes done beautifully, in outfits from local American designers who will be shared in the press, and fake diamonds.
“I’m here,” Nadia appears behind me.
I turn, surprised.
“Oh, hi.”I smile, wondering what she’s doing backstage.
I spot Alexei but don’t bother smiling.He won’t smile back and my nerves are starting to rattle.
“Quick, head to your seats.We are about to start.”Sadie says to them, bubbly as always, but they don’t leave, and I don’t have time to care.
The beat kicks up and the models launch out onto the stage, one by one.
Wow!
This is so exciting.
I nudge Sadie so we are out of the way for the models to pass, and we watch the runway on the monitor.
“This is so top class.”Nadia says from behind me.
I shoot her a smile, annoyed she didn’t do as I said.I’m due to go out once the models have finished and don’t have time to entertain.I never approved any backstage passes, either.
I shoot Noah and Todd from Maison a look, but Noah is focused on someone down below—doing his job—and doesn’t notice my annoyance.I consider asking Sadie to escort them out, but in seven more minutes it will be over.
It’s reasonable that they were allowed in, given that they are friends.Mom and Dad came backstage just twenty minutes ago.
I bite the inside of my cheek, wondering if the thief is watching, if MessyBob is the culprit.How Jayden suspected everyone, including Nadia and Alexei...and the mailman.
The police visited MessyBob’s home, I’m told, after finding his real identity.They searched his home but did not find anything and were unable to explicitly link him to the letter and panties.
Which doesn’t mean he’s innocent.
But it also doesn’t mean he isn’t watching me right now.
Ugh.
I just want this all to be over.
London was appealing more and more every day.
