“Janie? Are you at Adelmar?”

“No,” said Janie quickly. “I’m at home.”

“Huh? Are you alright? Why did you take the day off?” asked Emmeline.

Janie took a deep breath. “Just feeling a little dizzy. Just need some sleep.”

“I see,” said Emmeline. “Catch a break. I’ll see you when I get back.”

“Sure, Emma.” Janie ended the call.

Emmeline puffed her cheeks. She can’t come with me. Guess I’ll have to do this myself. Well, let’s get going, then. She got changed, put on some makeup, and went downstairs. “Kendra, I’m not coming home for lunch. Tell Abel he can start without me.”

“Where are you going, Ms. Louise?” Kendra was holding Quincy in her arms.

Quincy was staring at Emmeline. Amused, she pinched the baby’s cheek. “Evelyn asked me out for lunch.”

“Evelyn?” Kendra’s eyes went wide. “You shouldn’t go, Ms. Louise. That woman is bad news.”

“It’s alright,” said Emmeline. “She can’t hurt me.”

“But…” Kendra was still worried.

“I’ll be fine,” she assured. Kendra doesn’t know I can fight. And I have the needles with me too. She went into the garage and picked the silver Bugatti, then she went to the rendezvous spot.

Half an hour later, she came to a hotel, and Evelyn was waiting in a room. When Emmeline made her appearance, she and Evelyn were surprised.

Evelyn said, “I thought Janie was coming.”

“She’s under the weather.”

“I see,” said Evelyn. “That’s a shame.”

“And this is?” Emmeline pointed at the pudgy, middle-aged man in the room.

“This is Mr. Maldings,” said Evelyn. “He’s been helping me with the business in this city.”

“I see,” said Emmeline half-heartedly. She didn’t like the sight of this man, but she couldn’t just leave.

Morgan Maldings stood up happily, and he extended his chubby hand. “Please, have a seat.”

“Sit, Emma.” Evelyn held up the menu. “Order anything you like.”

Morgan said, “Yeah. The food here is nice.”

Emmeline picked up the menu and made some orders. Ugh, just looking at this man makes me sick. I wonder if I can even eat.

The waiter had decanted the wine, and Morgan poured a glass for Emmeline. Just when he was about to pour a glass for Evelyn, she said, “I’d like to try the white wine. It’s a local delicacy, they say.”

“Sure thing.” Morgan put the decanter down and poured a small glass of white wine for Evelyn.

And then the food was served. Morgan held up his wine. “It’s an honor to see you, Mrs. Ryker. Why don’t we raise a toast to it?”

“Of course.” Evelyn raised her glass of wine as well. “I’d like to thank Emma for her help as well.”

“I said that was nothing to be thanked for.” Emmeline held up her glass as well.

They raised a toast, and Morgan downed his wine. Then Evelyn followed suit.

Emmeline thought there was a lot of wine in her glass, so she took a big swig, but she didn’t finish it.

“Oh, that’s rude, Emma,” said Evelyn. “Mr. Maldings and I downed all our drinks, and it’s white wine too. Why aren’t you doing the same?”

“Red wine kicks in hard, you know,” said Emmeline. “I can’t drink.”

“Oh, that’s a shame,” said Evelyn. “But you don’t have to drink any more after this glass. You can always go for the juice.”

“That works.” At least she’s considerate. Emmeline finished her wine.