Five Dates with the Billionaire - Alyssa J. Montgomery Page 0,54
she is in the witness protection program—’
‘When will you know for certain?’
‘I won’t know, I’m afraid. I don’t have any contacts with that type of clearance or access to those security systems.’
That wasn’t good enough. ‘I have to know.’ There had to be a way.
‘Yeah, I get it. You’re worried about your grandmother.’
His grandmother and Stanley.
Stanley!
Of course.
The former MI5 Director would definitely be able to unravel the mystery surrounding Mia Simms—or whoever the bloody hell she was—and Stanley should be warned about the possibility that Mia could be a spy who was targeting him.
Hell. A spy.
Connor felt sick to the gut. No. She couldn’t be a spy.
Despite the way she’d acted since her encounter with Correlli, Mia wasn’t naturally a cold woman any more than he was a bully. She was warm, enchanting…
‘You still there, Connor?’
‘Sorry. Thanks for doing this, Tony.’
‘No problem. It’s exactly the sort of puzzle I like to solve.’ Tony cleared his throat. ‘I’ll update you with anything else as soon as I learn more.’
‘Thanks. Talk soon.’
‘Be careful, my friend.’
Did he need to be?
‘I will.’
Connor looked across at the lifts. It was hardly surprising there was no sign of Mia
yet.
His stomach clenched as he wondered again who she was meeting.
Tony had provided a lot of answers but unearthed more questions.
Harcher Trust.
The words teased at the corner of his brain. He knew he’d heard of it…
Slam.
No! He hadn’t heard of it, he’d seen it. Closing his eyes, he summoned the image. Yes. He’d seen the words Harcher Trust on a bank statement—a bank statement on the desk in Gran’s study years ago. He’d quizzed her about it but she’d brushed aside his questions and he’d let it go.
It was another shadowy link between his grandmother and Mia.
Multiple questions beat at his brain, demanding answers.
Why was Mia living rent-free in a very expensive piece of London real estate owned by the Harcher Trust?
What was this trust? Where did the money come from? And how the bloody hell was his grandmother involved?
His fingers raked through his hair. None of the jigsaw pieces fitted together. The whole thing was shrouded in mystery.
Stanley. He had the connections to access this sort of information.
Connor dialled Stanley’s number. The call went straight through to message bank, but he left a message asking Stanley to call him back regardless of the time. Connor needed to meet with him as soon as possible.
Now, Connor’s most immediate problem was how he should behave with Mia. If he let on he had questions about her past and her very identity and it turned out she was a spy, it could be dangerous.
The woman he’d made love to could be a complete fraud.
It wasn’t the first time he’d been duped by a woman but, bloody hell, it’d be the last!
Chapter Sixteen
Five minutes later, Connor’s phone rang again.
‘Stanley.’ Connor didn’t waste time on pleasantries. ‘I’m in Paris and if you’re still here, it’s important I see you tonight.’
‘Is Violet well?’ The older man’s voice was heavy with concern.
‘She’s fine. Where are you staying? I’ll come and explain.’
There was a long pause and for a moment Connor thought the call had been disconnected.
‘I can’t meet you tonight, but I could possibly make breakfast tomorrow before my meetings?’
Connor looked at his watch. He didn’t want to wait until morning but it was already late, and Stanley wasn’t a young man. Besides, he had no idea how long he’d be waiting for Mia to reappear and he wanted to see if he could learn who she’d met with. ‘Breakfast sounds good. Tell me where and when and I’ll be there.’
‘I’m at the Westminster Hotel on Rue de la Paix.’
Connor’s jaw slackened.
‘Are you still there Connor?’
‘I’m here. I’m right here, Stanley. At your hotel.’
‘But I thought you were staying at the Ritz?’
‘I’m… How did you know that?’
There was a slight pause before Stanley said, ‘Violet must’ve mentioned it.’
Connor was unconvinced. ‘Stanley, do you know my grandmother’s friend, Mia Simms?’
‘Er… Yes. I’ve met Mia.’ He sounded guarded.
‘How well do you know her?’
‘Connor, what’s this about?’
‘I’ve just followed her to your hotel.’ There was another pregnant pause and Connor’s thoughts raced. Bloody hell! Could it be Mia actually was an MI5 agent? ‘Is Mia with you now, Stanley?’
The silence dragged.
‘Stanley?’ Tension stiffened his spine. ‘Tell me.’
‘Yes, Mia’s here.’ Stanley’s sigh was one of resignation. ‘You’d better come up too. Pass your phone to the concierge and I’ll authorise him to give you a pass for the lift.’
Tension set like concrete across the muscles of Connor’s shoulders.