Page 73 of The Death
“We’ll have to see about that,” Caldwell said. “He has a vision, and I’ve been feeding it with my own inimitable skill. But I’m almost ready to close the trap now.” He reached out and patted Celine’s cheek. “And you’re such an incredibly enticing bait for that trap.”
“Why are you in such a hurry?” Eve asked. “You appear to be a little uneasy.”
“Nonsense.” Caldwell shrugged. “I’m just a very careful man, and I might have heard that there have been sightings of strangers in the area in the past few days. Nothing definite, but I’ve decided to give the priest what he wants and take what I want in return.” He turned on his heel. “Take good care of her, Eve. I have to go gather those embellishments I mentioned. I’ll send Jossland with them a bit later. I guarantee he’ll enjoy that just as much as he has his other visits with you.”
The door slammed behind him.
“Damn him,” Eve murmured. “I was hoping to buy more time. I still may be able to talk Zakira into giving it to me.”
“If not, then we’ll just have to think of something else,” Celine said. “I know you did everything you could. Caldwell is getting impatient.” She grimaced. “And a lot of it was my fault for stretching him to the limit when I was on the run.” She turned and stroked the gold sarcophagus. “Thanks for the company, Folashade, but I think I might have to be on my own from now on.”
“We can’t be sure of that,” Eve said. “In spite of what he said, Caldwell hasn’t been able to find a definite trace of Michael or anyone else that we know would be on the hunt for you.” She smiled. “Or me. He’s getting very frustrated. I’m afraid I wasn’t sympathetic enough. I was too happy when he mentioned those strangers that might get in his way. The poor man evidently doesn’t realize what he’s going to have to face when he does catch up with them.”
“I don’t feel at all sorry for him,” Celine said. “He’s a little too pleased with himself, and he gave the orders to kill Barnaby. I can’t ever forget that.” She wearily shook her head. “And I want him out of our lives so I don’t have to worry about Dominic.”
“Point taken,” Eve said. “But from my experience with you, I don’t believe that you won’t bounce back when you get a chance.”
Celine blinked and then she found she was chuckling. “I can’t, either. I must still be a little under the weather. But I suppose I’ll have to make an adjustment or two if those ’embellishments’ that Caldwell is sending turn out to be troublesome.”
“It might be just as well to keep that in mind,” Eve said. “Caldwell seems to have an affinity for troublesome situations.”She paused. “But I’ll wait here with you and we’ll see what he has in store for us this time…”
“In store for me, not you, Eve,” Celine said gently. “You and Folashade might have to sit this one out together.”
Eve smiled. “Like I said, we’ll have to see what he has in store for us.”
CHAPTER
19
It was close to midnight when they heard a loud knock on the outer door. But Jossland didn’t wait for Eve to answer him. He was cursing as he pushed open the door and carried in a huge white wardrobe box and threw it on the floor at Celine’s feet. “A present from Caldwell,” he said with a grin. “I told him I approved of it, and he gave me special orders about what to do with it once you unwrapped it. He thought I’d enjoy being the one to give you orders. He wasn’t wrong.” He threw himself onto a chair and waved a royal hand. “Go ahead. Open it. It probably cost Caldwell a small fortune.”
“Not interested,” Celine said. “And I don’t take orders from you. Open it yourself.”
His lips twisted as he leaned forward. “But I want to see you do it. Caldwell gave me orders and told me if I had trouble making you obey me, I could use a bit of force to help you to remember that you’re just a prisoner and I call the shots. I think he’s getting tired of having to kowtow to you and Eve Duncan.”
“That could be interesting,” Celine said. “But not enough to waste my time on. Go to hell, Jossland.”
“Don’t be rude, Celine.” Eve was pushing past her andscooping up the box. “I know that designer label, and I’m curious to see what’s inside.” She slipped down the black velvet ties and opened the lid. “There! It seems to be a fairly innocuous-looking garment. Not worth causing a fuss over.”
“That’s a matter of opinion.” But Celine was looking down with revulsion at the gown, and then she took it out of the box shook it. “I have an idea what it is, though I have to admit it’s really exquisite.” She dropped the gown on the floor. “But tell Caldwell I said no thank you.”
“You don’t have a choice.” Jossland was scowling. “I have my orders. He said you were to put it on and that I was to take photos and bring them to him. I think he wants to show them to Zakira and prove that you’re ready for him. So you have a choice of putting the damn thing on yourself or leaving it up to me.” His smile was very nasty. “I’d enjoy it, but I doubt if you would.”
“You underestimate me,” Celine said. “I’m always wide open to new experiences. I might be able to make even that bearable.”
Eve stepped between them and gave the gown to Celine. “But I really want to see it on you. I’m sure that deep-violet silk would show off your eyes beautifully.” She pushed Celine toward the workroom. “Try it on, and while you’re doing it, imagine where else a gown like that might lead you. I can’t wait to see you in it. You should thank Jossland for giving you this opportunity.”
She slammed the door of the workroom.
Leaving Celine alone to get over the anger and terror of the moment when she had seen that gorgeous gown that she knew was meant to be her shroud. Okay, forget it. Just decode thoselast few sentences of Eve’s and use Jossland and this gown to save both of them tonight. Simple? No way. But she already had an idea how she might be able to do it.
Think.
Make a plan!
Her hand moved exploringly over the folds of the gown. The fabric was inset with glittering amethysts, brilliant emeralds, and gold. She looked down. The second emerald in the inset was loose enough for her purpose.
She quickly slipped on the gown, fastened it, and then took a deep breath and turned to leave the workroom and face Eve.
