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Virginia
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Something was definitely going on.
Gregory had been calling members of the staff into his office all day. Virginia kept busy, wondering if she would receive an invitation as well. Had he received word on those being sent to assist? Was he briefing the household on their impending arrival, providing a list of dos and don’ts?
The benefits of discretion, she understood, but Gregory was treating this like an invasion. What was he worried the newcomers would find? It certainly didn’t seem as if he or Sander or anyone else was making an effort to find out what happened and bring Chris home. Then again, maybe they already knew, or at least thought they did, and figured they had everything under control. Those two did like their secrets.
As for Virginia, she was treating Chris’s absence as if he’d taken an impulsive vacation. Until someone told her otherwise, she was working on the assumption that he would be coming back and when he did, business would resume as usual. She simply couldn’t bear to think otherwise. She and Chris had forged an unusual bond, one beyond the typical employer-employee relationship, and she wasn’t prepared to give up on that, not yet.
So, every morning, she went to her office and did her thing. She rescheduled meetings as needed, updating the color-coded daily calendar she kept as she went. Researched requests and venues, then typed up her recommendations and made lists of potential travel arrangements. Answered Chris’s mail and returned phone calls, making notes of the things that would require his personal attention.
Gregory’s summons finally came in the afternoon, right when she was ready to call it a day and head to the solarium for some much-needed yoga and meditation. She backed up copies of the files she’d been working on and slipped the thumb drive into her pocket, then powered down her desktop. After ensuring everything was securely locked away, she smoothed her skirt, put on her game face, and headed toward Gregory’s office.
“You wanted to see me, Gregory?”
He didn’t bother looking up from his seat behind the big, imposing desk.
“Ms. Miller. Come in and close the door behind you.”
She did, choosing to view it as a request instead of a command. Without waiting for an invitation, she sat down in one of the uncomfortable chairs facing his desk, knowing one probably wouldn’t be forthcoming.
She crossed one leg over the other, then waited for him to get to it. He ignored her and continued looking at whatever it was he had on the desk in front of him as if it was far more important than talking to her. It was a power play, she knew, and she refused to give him the satisfaction of fidgeting or appearing impatient. With nowhere else to be and nothing else demanding her immediate attention, she would play his game.
She used the opportunity to check out her surroundings; she didn’t have many occasions to visit his office. It was much bigger than hers, done up with dark woods, rich colors, and heavy draperies. The word formidable popped into her mind, followed shortly after by oppressive.
When sufficient time had passed, he lifted his head and removed his reading glasses. She met his penetrating glare with one of indifference and mild curiosity.
“Over the course of the next few days, there will be men visiting the estate in an official capacity.”
Virginia withheld the “no kidding” comment perched on the tip of her tongue, reminding herself that Gregory didn’t know she’d overheard him and Sander in the gardens. Instead she asked, “Does this have something to do with Chris’s disappearance?”
Gregory’s lips turned downward in distaste. He hated that she referred to their employer with such familiarity, which, of course, was exactly why she’d said it. “Yes.”
“Good. Maybe someone will finally be able to do something.”
His frown deepened. “They will deal primarily with me, of course, but may request to speak with other members of the household in the interest of thoroughness.”
“Of course. I’m happy to help any way I can.”
His brief smile was cold. “Hopefully, that will not be necessary, but if it is, I suggest your ‘helpfulness’ be limited to factual, pertinent information.”
She felt her lips twitch. “So . . . no regaling them with in-house gossip drama? No mention of personal vendettas or possible ulterior motives? No who’s sleeping with whom? Is that the sort of thing you don’t want me to talk about, Gregory?”
His expression couldn’t have been sourer if he’d sucked on a lemon.
“Relax,” she told him, rising. “I’ve been around long enough to appreciate the importance of discretion. The only thing I care about is finding Chris and bringing him home safe and sound.”
Virginia left Gregory’s office and took a deep, cleansing breath. She might need to do more than her usual afternoon yoga to loosen the knot that had formed between her shoulder blades.