“Very little, from what I’ve been told.”
“I see.”
“Security were quick to call.”
“When?” I glance at my watch again.
“Just now. The fire’s out, but they want to know if we should call the fire department.”
“No, not the fire department or the police. Not yet anyway.”
I need to think.
“Welch has just called me on the other line,” Barney says.
“Has he?”
“He’s probably trying to get ahold of you. I’ll text him.”
“Good.”
“I’m heading to Grey House now.”
“Okay. I want a detailed damage report. And a complete rundown of everyone who had access over the last five days, including the cleaning staff.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Get ahold of Andrea and get her to call me.”
“Will do. It was a good move to change from the outdated suppression system,” Barney says as he blows out a breath.
“Yeah, sounds like the argon is just as effective, worth its weight in gold.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I realize it’s early.”
“I was awake. There’ll be no traffic now,” Barney continues. “I’ll be there in no time. And I’ll see what’s up.”
“E-mail me in two hours.”
“I hope you don’t mind that I called.”
“No, I need to know. Thank you for calling me.” I hang up and call Welch, who is heading to Grey House as we speak. During a brief exchange, we agree to increase security at the off-site data center as a precaution, and that we’ll talk in an hour. When I end my call with him, I direct Philippe to get us back on board as soon as possible.
“Monsieur.” Ferreux speeds up.
I wonder what could have gone wrong in the server room? An electrical fault? Something overheated? Arson?
Ana looks wary. “Anyone hurt?” she asks.
I shake my head. “Very little damage.” Though I haven’t had a damage report, I want to reassure her. Reaching over, I take her hand and give it a comforting squeeze. “Don’t worry about this. My team is on it.”
“Where was the fire?”
“Server room.”
“Grey House?”
“Yes.”
“Why so little damage?”
“The server room is fitted with a state-of-the-art fire-suppression system. Ana, please, don’t worry.”
“I’m not worried,” she whispers, but I’m not convinced.
“We don’t know for sure that it was arson.” And that’s my biggest fear.
I’m in the small study aboard Fair Lady. Welch and Barney are at GEH and Andrea is making her way into the office early. Now that Welch has inspected the damage, he’s advised that we get the fire department in so an expert can establish what started the fire. He doesn’t want a stream of people in the server room contaminating any evidence. We run through a list of protocols, and as I feared, he’s not ruling out arson. He’s compiling lists of everyone who has had access to the server room in advance of the fire department’s report.
Andrea calls when she arrives at the office and I pace the floor as I talk her through what’s happened. I’m leaning against the desk when there’s a knock on the door. It’s my wife. “Andrea, hold please.”
Ana’s expression is one of determination—it’s a look I know well, the one she wears when we’re going to fight. My shoulders tense in preparation for a showdown. “I’m going shopping. I’ll take security with me,” she says with a too-bright smile.
Is that it? “Sure, take one of the twins and Taylor, too,” I reply. She doesn’t leave. “Anything else?”
“Can I get you anything?”
“No, baby, I’m good. The crew will look after me.”
“Okay.” She hesitates, then strides toward me, places her hands on my chest, and gives me a quick peck on my lips.
“Andrea, I’ll call you back.”
“Yes, Mr. Grey,” Andrea says, and I’m sure she’s smiling on the other end of the phone. Hanging up, I place my phone on the desk, pull Ana into my arms, and kiss her. Properly. Her mouth is sweet and wet and warm, and a welcome diversion. She’s breathless when I stop. “You’re distracting me,” I whisper, staring down into dazed eyes. “I need to sort this out, so I can get back to my honeymoon.” I run my finger down her cheek and clasp her chin.
“Okay. I’m sorry.”
“Please don’t apologize, Mrs. Grey. I love your distractions.” I kiss the corner of her mouth. “Go spend some money.” I step back, letting her go.
“Will do.” With a girlish smile, she sashays to the door and is gone, though there’s something about her demeanor that makes me pause.
What isn’t she telling me?
Dismissing the thought, I call Andrea back.
“Mr. Grey, while I have you on the phone, Ros mentioned that you might go to New York next week. If so, I wanted to remind you that the Telecommunications Alliance Organization fundraiser is on Thursday in Manhattan. They really want you there.”
“That trip’s not definite. But let them know that I’m considering their invitation, and if I accept it, it will be for two. We might want to think about any other meetings I could do in New York while I’m there.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I think that’s all for now. Can you put me through to Ros?”
“Will do.”
I update Ros and ask her to liaise with Barney and Welch.
From somewhere close to the yacht, the sound of a Jet Ski starting up sidetracks me. It stalls. It starts and stalls again. I peer through the windows on the starboard side and Ana is on one of the Jet Skis. Fully clothed.
I thought she was going shopping.
“Ros. I’ll call you back!” I hang up and scramble out of the study to the starboard walkway, but she’s gone. I dash around to the port side, and Ana’s tearing across the water on the Jet Ski with the tender in hot pursuit. She waves at me.
No. Ana! Don’t let go. My heart leaps into my mouth.
Hesitantly, I raise my hand and wave back.
This was her plan?