Chapter 12. Feminine Wiles

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“So these are the only vases your procurer brought in?” Sean asked Andre.

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We were in a room that was at the back of Alexis’s Relics, used for storing extra inventory or things he claimed to reserve for “his very special customers”.  He’d called us in the afternoon to say that he had more vases that had just arrived.

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“Yes…if I had more, I would show them to you, of course.  Are none of these of the appropriate style?” Andre asked.

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“Miss Fisher has very particular wishes regarding the style and time period of the vase.  Unfortunately, though these are very close to the style she prefers, none of them are the exact style she collects.” Sean said.

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I was disappointed—I had really hoped that Monique had dropped off Wolff’s vase as part of this inventory, but I’d scanned the new merchandise over and over again and it wasn’t here.

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“I am sorry to hear that.  She cannot be interested in one of these, then?” Andre pressed, obviously getting a little irritated by my demanding tastes.

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“No, she can’t.” I said in a terse tone that was intended to remind him that I was the rich customer and he was supposed to make me happy.

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“We can stay here a few days more—do you think your procurer could bring in more inventory before, say, next week?” Sean asked.  His pleasant voice was in stark contrast to my own snippy words.

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“I will have to check.” Andre said.  Suddenly, his cell phone started ringing.  “Excuse me, please, while I take this call.” he requested, gesturing for us to wait in the front room of the store.

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As soon as we heard the low drone of Andre’s voice from the back room as he spoke on the phone, I turned to Sean.

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“Will we have to wait for Monique to bring in more vases?” I asked.

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“Not necessarily.” Sean said, looking toward the back room.  “Did you notice the stairwell back there?”

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“Yes…” I said.  I wasn’t sure where he was going with this.

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“Andre’s office is probably up there.  I need to go have a look, because I might be able to find Monique’s contact information up there.  A phone number, a home or email address…something.” Sean explained.

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“Ah…perfect!  You’re right…we can’t just wait around for her to finally bring us the right vase.  She may not even have it anymore.” I whispered.

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“Exactly.  I need to see if there’s a way to contact her directly or find out where she’s staying.  The only other option is to stake out this place.”  Sean said.

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“Well…actually, why don’t we wait for her to come here, instead?” I asked uncertainly.  “I watched her come here yesterday afternoon—if he calls her again, then we can just watch the place.”

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“We don’t know that Monique is his only procurer.  He might call someone else.  Besides…I’m impatient.” Sean admitted.

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“Since when is impatience a good reason for a risky action?” I asked.

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“You wound me—this isn’t even close to risky.  And even if it were, it would be worth it.  If I find her local address, we’ll go straight to her and approach her there, provided she doesn’t have a lot of company.” Sean said.

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“Well…how are you going to get up to his office without him noticing?  You think he’ll invite you up?” I asked.

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Sean beckoned for me to come closer, and I complied.

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“Actually…that’s where you come in.” he said.

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“What do you mean?” I asked.

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“I mean you are going to distract him.” Sean said.  When he pulled back, his mouth had stretched into a wickedly mischievous grin.

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“You have to be kidding.” I said.

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“Nope.  You’re going to use your feminine wiles to keep Andre looking right at your pretty face and listening only for your velvety voice.” Sean said.

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“I don’t have any wiles.  My set was lost in the mail.” I said.  He can’t be serious! I thought.

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“I beg to differ.” Sean said.  I felt my breath hitch as he accompanied this statement with a startlingly sweet smile.

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“I’m flattered by your confidence in my…abilities.  But I’ve been treating him like gum on the bottom of my shoe—he’s not going to start kissing my feet if I bat my eyelashes at him.” I said.

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“You’d be surprised what a guy will strive to believe if he thinks it might get him laid.”  Sean said bluntly.  I struggled to keep from blushing.

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“Fine.” I said on a sigh.  “This is going to be a disaster, but maybe it will be a distracting disaster.”  Sean just shook his head and laughed.

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Moments later, we heard Andre end his call, and he came into the front room.

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“I am sorry for the interruption.  My mother is elderly, and when I get a call from her I worry it is an emergency.  I do hope you will not decide to take your business elsewhere because you are disappointed in my current inventory.”  Andre said.

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“I am sure you are doing your best, Mr. Lefebvre.” I said, trying to inject some warmth into the statement.  Andre’s eyes widened at the change in my demeanor.  This isn’t going to work! I thought.

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“We will be happy to view any new inventory you are able to get, just be sure to give me a call when it comes….” Sean began, but trailed off, patting his pockets and frowning.  “Oh…you know….I can’t seem to find my…. cell phone.”

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“Where did you last use it?” I asked, sounding exasperated.

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“I think I was checking my messages in the back room….excuse me…I’m just going to look for it.” Sean said, before darting out and leaving me alone with Andre.

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“You know, Mr. Lefebvre….I cannot help but be impressed by your apparent concern and care for your mother.” I said, summoning what I hoped was a winsome smile.  Andre’s face was a perfect picture of shocked surprise.

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“Well, Mademoiselle…” Andre began.

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“Please Mr. Lefebvre….call me Edith.”  I practically purred.  Inwardly, I was rolling my eyes at myself.

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“Then please call me Andre.” he purred right back. 

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This should not be working….I thought with dismay.  Out of curiosity more than a desire to accomplish the goal of keeping Andre occupied, I pressed on with the flirting.

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“You were saying?” I murmured, trying to look like I was living only to hear his next sentence.

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“I uh…I am very close to my mother.” Andre stuttered.

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“It is so refreshing to find a man who takes care of his mother.  I think it is indicative of a man’s true worth.  My mother always said that you can tell how well a man will treat you if you look at how he treats his mother.” I drawled.  Andre’s eyes had gone soft and heavy-lidded, and he was leaning into my personal space.

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I kept listening for Sean’s steps above us, but I never heard a thing.  I tried to keep the tension out of my stance.

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“Your mother sounds like a lovely woman.” Andre said, trying to make his brown eyes look like melted chocolate.

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“She is.” I said.  It was the first thing I’d said that wasn’t a lie.

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“She would have to be to have such a lovely daughter.” he continued.

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Good grief….I thought.

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“Why Andre….are you trying to charm me?” I asked coquettishly.

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“Would that be a bad thing?” he asked.

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“It would only be bad if you stopped.” I said in what I hoped was a seductive manner.  I faltered as I saw Sean over Andre’s shoulder.

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“Found my phone!” Sean sang out as he strode into the room.

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“Mr. Sinclair.  How timely.” I ground out, trying to appear irritated.

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“Miss Fisher, we should leave so you can make your three o’clock conference call.” Sean said.

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“Very well.  Goodbye, Andre.  We’ll be in touch.” I said, offering my hand and letting my fingers slide over his in a caress.

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“So?” I asked once we were safely outside.  “Did you find anything?”

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“Yes.  I found Andre’s computer…and his list of contacts.” Sean said smugly.

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“You got Monique’s email address?” I asked.

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“Yes…but I used it to do something even better.”  Sean said.

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“What did you do?” I asked.

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“I sent an email to Monique from Andre’s account setting up a meeting.  She’ll think it’s from him.  If this works, she’ll come to Alexis’s Relics tonight at 11:00 P.M.”  Sean said.  “Now let’s get back to the house—we have a lot to do.”

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• March 8, 2010
• An Edith Prescott Mystery: Story 2
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