The Palace
Page 39
“Ten thousand quid. Cor!” The Cockney hadn’t totally vanished.
“Your fee from the job. D’Art called yesterday afternoon. The experts finally confirmed that the Monet was authentic.”
“But you’re already paying so much. I can’t. It wouldn’t be right.” Lucy handed back the check.
“Yes, it would,” said Dora Brown, plucking the check from her daughter’s fingers.
Simon laughed and gave Dora a hug. He hadn’t been this happy in a long time.
They talked for an hour, mostly about the shop and Harry Mason and the new paint room that was being installed the next week.
“Will we still have to scrape the old paint off?” Lucy asked.
“’Fraid so. Some things you have to do by hand.”
Finally, he decided it was time to leave. He kissed Dora Brown on the cheek. She said she was returning to look after Lucy on the weekend. He turned to Lucy. “See you tomorrow, kiddo.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“You’d prefer?”
“‘Darling.’”
Simon kissed her forehead. “Goodbye, Miss Brown.”
Outside, the last clouds had moved off to the east. The sun shone down on the green fields of Surrey. On a day like this anything was possible. He walked to his car, taking a moment to check that his wiper blades were on properly.
His phone rang. He looked at the screen.
“What is it, D’Art?”
“Simon, you must come to my offices immediately. You’ll never guess who is here.”
“That important?”
“An emergency.”
“On a scale of one to ten.”
“Eleven.”
Simon knew it. “On my way.”
Acknowledgments
It is my pleasure to offer my sincerest thanks to the following:
Peter Caprez, general manager of the JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok, as well as his incomparable staff, who served as my gracious hosts for my extended stay in Thailand.
Liz Myers and John Trivers, who allowed me the use of their lovely ski lodge, where I shut myself up to finish this book in record time.
Dr. Jon Shafqat, who read this manuscript, as he has many others, and offered valuable insights and commentary.
Charles Winkler, a longtime guest of the Hôtel du Cap d’Antibes, who unlocked a few of the hotel’s secrets for a nosy author.
Richard Pine, my literary agent and dear friend, as well as the entire team at InkWell Management, including Michael Carlisle, Kim Witherspoon, Eliza Rothstein, and Claire Friedman. Words can’t express my gratitude for all you do on my behalf: creatively, professionally, and personally.
Howard Sanders at Anonymous Content.
Amy Powell, Jon Liebman, and Marc Evans at Brillstein Entertainment.
Laura Kohani, for being at my side during good times and bad, and always brightening my day.
And finally, to my daughters, Noelle and Katja, to whom this book is dedicated, and who have both in recent years become my biggest supporters. I grow prouder of you every day.
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About the Author
Christopher Reich is the New York Times bestselling author of The Take, Numbered Account, Rules of Deception, Rules of Vengeance, Rules of Betrayal, and many other thrillers. His novel The Patriots Club won the International Thriller Writers Award for Best Novel in 2006. He lives in Encinitas, California.
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Also by Christopher Reich
Numbered Account
The Runner
The First Billion
The Devil’s Banker
The Patriots Club
Rules of Deception
Rules of Vengeance
Rules of Betrayal
The Prince of Risk
Invasion of Privacy
The Take
Crown Jewel