Page 73 of Goodbye Girl

“That’s an original Kandinsky,” said Kava. “I was lucky enough to purchase three of his works at—”

The audio crackled and suddenly cut out. Jack heard only the hum of the electric fan that cooled the A/V equipment. The tech agents sprung into high gear, their fingers a flurry of panic across the keyboards. The team communicated internally by headset.

“What’s happened?” asked Coffey.

“It’s on Imani’s end, not ours,” said the tech agent. “Her unit has a backup battery, so it’s likely either the transmitter or the microphone.”

“Can you fix it?”

“Possibly. Unless—”

The tech agent stopped herself, but Jack filled in the blank. “Unless Kava found her device and ripped it off her.”

“We have no reason to believe that happened,” said Coffey.

“I want her out of there,” said Jack.

“Let’s not overreact,” said Coffey.

“We’re dealing with a Russian oligarch, not some high school kid selling pot,” said Jack.

“We have time,” said Coffey. “Even in a worst-case scenario, Kava wouldn’t harm Imani before she performs for his granddaughter. That spoiled little princess would never speak to him again.”

Jack actually couldn’t argue with that logic. “All right. But we need to be on high alert. Imani’s safety has to be our number-one concern.”

“Of course,” said Coffey. “But a close second is what she and Kava arereallytalking about inside that house, now that they’re off microphone.”

Jack didn’t answer. But Coffey’s remark had him wondering.

Chapter 29

Theo took Gigi for Saturday breakfast in Flat Iron Square, a gentrified neighborhood south of the Thames filled with popular bars and restaurants that thrived in what were once abandoned railway arches and other disused structures. Theo and Gigi were at a place called Where the Pancakes Are, which was exactly what Gigi had said when Theo asked where she felt like having breakfast. The colt ate like a draft horse. Assuming horses loved Dutch pancakes.

“You look taller to me,” said Theo.

She stuffed half a pancake into her mouth. “You just saw me three days ago.”

“Four,” said Theo.

“You gonna use your butter?”

Definitely growing.“Have at it,” said Theo.

She swirled the pat around until it formed of pool of powdered sugar and melted butter. “Sooooogood,” she said of her next bite.

“I need you to do me a favor,” said Theo.

“I thought you’d never ask,” she said in a flirtatious voice.

Theo reached across the table and grabbed her by the wrist. “Hey. Don’t even joke about that. You hear me?”

“Sorr-eee,” she said, shaking his grip.

Theo tasted his hot tea with milk and sugar and made a face.

Gigi laughed. “I was waiting for you to taste that. You don’t squeeze lemon into a hot tea with milk. You have a lot to learn, Theo.”

“Noted,” he said. “Which brings me back to the favor. I want you to show me where your old boyfriend lives.”