“I’ll stop by your office after dropping off Jessica,” I assure him. “I’m doing everything you’ve asked me to do, Mr. Gable. I just have to do what your wife asks too . . . at least to a degree.”

“Did you find out about Talebi?”

I hesitate. “I don’t know how Lander first heard the name, but he thinks Talebi might be a big investor that you’re bringing to the bank. I think he wants to surpass you at HGVB, maybe even push you out. Are you maybe about to make some kind of big deal he might want to subvert, or beat you to the punch on?”

Another long pause on the other end of the phone.

“Mr. Gable, are you there?”

“Are you serious?” Travis asks. “He thinks he can outdo me in business?”

“Well, yes. That’s essentially what he said. He thinks it’s time for a new Gable to take his place on the top floor.”

“Just bring me those records,” Travis says, his tone dripping with disgust and disbelief. And then he hangs up.

It’s the disbelief that worries me.

“Bell, are you ready?”

I look up to see that Tanya is standing several feet outside the dressing rooms. “I’ve selected some dresses for you.”

I smile sheepishly and follow her to the room.

When she opens the door I literally gasp. I haven’t made a noise like this outside of a sexual encounter in years. But these dresses are stunningly beautiful. White, purple, pink, red, and green. There are edgy gowns made of leather and chiffon, while others are made of silk and lace.

“I’ll come check on you in a moment.” She exits quietly, closing the door behind her.

I reach for a silk chiffon dress in the palest of pinks with delicate little beaded shoulder straps. It’s so insanely romantic . . . probably too romantic. I’m a seductress, not an ingenue.

I hold the dress up to me. I absolutely do not have time for this right now. I came so close to getting Jessica to spill her secrets. Would another cocktail make her more talkative or more hostile? Or would it just kill her?

I’m not ready for that yet.

The dress probably weighs half an ounce. It’s so light and airy, almost whimsical. When I was a little girl I dreamed about gowns like this.

I hang it on the peg and pull off my shoes before taking off my shirt and skirt. I should have found a way to mention Micah’s and Javier’s names to Lander. Micah made it sound like he might know both brothers. And I still have to find a way to get Micah to trust me a little more. The last thing I need is for him to blame me when Jessica disappears.