It had been weeks since Richard had last seen Jaclyn.
He’d tried calling and texting, but this time, he really was blocked. So he went to her office, refusing to give up. Jean met him, only to share that Jaclyn hadn’t been there at all. She’d even requested her name plate be removed, but Jean didn’t have the heart to do it.
Jaclyn had abandoned her hotel room and vanished from all social media. No doubt due to the late-breaking rumor-mill gossip that they’d become an item. It didn’t help matters that the media hyped him up as the Houdini Playboy, the man who’d always escaped the clutches of women.
Richard had even made a public announcement, singing Jaclyn’s praises and playing off their relationship as being “just friends” to keep her from being badgered. He’d tried everything to hunt her down, but it was no use. She could be anywhere in the world, and his team of investigators had turned up nothing.
Now, nearly a month later, with his hair back to its natural jet black and his signature facial scruff in full bloom, Richard prepared to throw in the towel. “Well, Margot. It’s over.”
Making herself at home, she luxuriated on a chaise on the balcony of the elegant penthouse of Crescent Court. Taking in the view, she didn’t meet his eyes. “So I hear.” Her emotions were well guarded, if they existed at all.
“But you got a very nice slice of my company as a consolation prize.”
She whipped around to catch his eye, a sly grin brightening her face. “And a killer crash pad whenever I need it.”
He stepped next to her, overlooking the city. “I’m actually going to miss Dallas.” And those fucking bluebonnets.
“Back to Chicago?”
He shook his head. “I’m leaving the country. Alex and Paco have something going on overseas, and I need to field test my tech against international standards. No one tests the integrity of a system the way those two do. Seems like the right time.”
“When?”
“Tonight. But,” he asked hopefully, “will you see Jaclyn?”
Margot shrugged, keeping her gaze on the skyline.
“Here.” He handed her an envelope. “I’ve been carrying this around for weeks. If you see her, give it to her. And, hey,” he let out a weak chuckle, “make sure she doesn’t burn it. It’s something she’ll want.”
Margot took the manila envelope from him and nodded. She slipped it in her purse and stood before heading to the door.
He followed and wrapped her coat around her shoulders. “I’m going to miss you, Margot.”
“I’ll miss you too, Richard.”
As he opened the door, he gave her a light farewell hug and kissed her cheek. “I guess this is good-bye.”
Margot gave him a slight smile. “As my mother always says, auf wiedersehen.”