“There’s going to be a fabulous party at Versailles next month, for a good cause, of course. I’m putting together a table, and I was hoping you would join me and host it with me.” She didn’t know if he was asking her to pay for it, or pay half of it, or just be there as his date, or as a showpiece to enhance his social status, but whatever his motive, she had no desire whatsoever to go anywhere with him or be seen in public hosting a table with him, whatever the cause. She thought it an unsuitably bold request.

“I’m not going out yet,” she said demurely. “I’m just not ready, but thank you so much. Very kind of you to ask me.” She hustled him off the phone then. He seemed slimy to her, and he clearly had an ulterior motive. He was incredibly transparent, and she knew that Matthieu had never liked him either. He had a nose for phonies and users, and was practically allergic to them. Pierre de Vaumont was a prime specimen of the breed.

—

Mike called a little while later to say he had landed safely in New York and was on his way home to his apartment, which would be morbidly depressing without her.

“I had the creepiest call today,” she said, filling him in on her day. “From a disgusting social climber. He was on my plane to New York and I gave him an invitation to the party at the store. He came, which was good for press coverage. He called to invite me to some big event at Versailles next month. I turned him down flat.”

“Who is he?” Mike had an odd tone in his voice, and she wondered if he was jealous.

“You won’t know him. He slinks around anyone with money in Paris. I think he takes commissions on introductions and deals he puts together. His name is Pierre de Vaumont. I felt like I needed a bath after I talked to him.” Mike didn’t acknowledge knowing who he was, but after they ended the call, he wanted to call Guy Thomas and tell him. De Vaumont was definitely after Theo for money or social connections. He called Guy but only got voicemail, and he didn’t want to leave the message on voicemail.

He was already worked up, and concerned about de Vaumont, when Robert Richmond called about half an hour after he got home.

“Hello, mate. Hope I’m not getting you at a bad time. I wanted to give you a heads-up about your friend de Vaumont. He seems to be stepping up his game and moving in more dangerous circles. You’re right. He bears watching.”

“He’s no longer in my jurisdiction. He’s back in Paris,” Mike said, annoyed to hear his name again. Mike still thought he was trouble, even if Guy Thomas didn’t.