The Wrong Man: A Novel of Suspense by Kate White Read Free Book Online Page A

coppery brown–colored and small, like two pennies, but he used them to hold her gaze, and his stare was as fierce as his handshake had been.
    “I like to get down there to play golf a couple of times a season,” he said. “But unfortunately this year, I haven’t had much chance.”
    “Well, maybe next year,” she said, realizing as the words spilled from her mouth how lame they sounded. But she didn’t care. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to use the ladies’ room before I leave.”
    “Of course,” he said, and pointed to a door just down the corridor. “Good day and thank you again.”
    In the bathroom, she ran a paper towel under cold water and dabbed her cheeks, which were warm to the touch. She felt troubled still by the comment Ungaro had made, about X potentially targeting her. Could X really have followed her that day? But if he had some motive in mind—to go to bed with her or even to steal her wallet—then why not immediately ask her to dinner at the hotel? His invitation had seemed like an afterthought.
    The door to the ladies’ room opened quietly and a womanstepped inside. It was the same one who had eyed her earlier. The woman approached the mirror and began to reapply her lipstick, a shade that might have been called black cherry. She was tall, with slightly wavy, raven-colored hair that grazed her shoulders, and gray eyes that were set far apart. Her slim pants and cobalt blue silk blouse might look low-key, but Kit could tell at a glance that they were pricey, designer-made. And then there were the diamond studs in her earlobes, bright enough to burn someone’s corneas. The fact that she had an office clearly indicated that she had plenty of clout at the firm.
    “I’m Sasha Glen, by the way,” the woman said, turning to her abruptly. “Have you just started here?”
    “I’m only visiting,” Kit said, amused by the comment. The chance of her working at a hedge fund was about as likely as Baby decorating a Park Avenue living room with a pair of La-Z-Boy recliners.
    The woman turned back to the mirror and stroked the lipstick deliberately once more across her mouth. She continued to gaze at Kit, via the mirror this time. “Oh, yes, I think we met at the holiday party,” she said after a moment. “You’re dating Matt, right?”
    That seemed like a presumptuous remark to make to a stranger.
    “You must have me mixed up with someone else,” Kit said. “I had an appointment with Mr. Healy today, but I barely know him.”
    “My mistake,” the woman said. She dropped the lipstick back in her purse. “Have a nice day.”
    I will, Kit thought, as soon as I’ve escaped from here.
    She tossed the paper towel in the trash and hurried to the elevator bank. She felt relieved to finally be descending toward the lobby. The rest of the afternoon was spent roaming the D&D building as well as two stores that carried pieces inspired by theGustavian period. She was still waiting to hear if Avery Howe liked the concept for her cottage, but she wanted to be prepared to kick into gear once she received the okay.
    By the time she reached the office, it was after seven and both Dara and Baby were long gone. She let herself into the apartment, feeling the same rush of comfort and pleasure she always experienced when she walked through the door. Though the open living space wasn’t huge, she’d worked hard to make it dazzling.
    She started to turn toward the island in front of the kitchen area when she suddenly froze, staring at her midnight-blue velvet sofa. Something wasn’t right.
    The seven accent pillows were in a neat row, just as she liked them. But they were in a different order than she’d left them in that morning.
    Someone had been in her apartment.

chapter 4
     
    She crossed the room to the sofa and stared at the pillows. She was sure her imagination wasn’t going cuckoo on her. When she’d left the apartment that morning, the pillow with the Union Jack—a whimsical touch she’d