The woman moaned.
“It’s an umbrella, dammit,” Marco said, tight-lipped. “And this is Charles, my driver. I am going to let go of you. Charles is going to hand you the umbrella. You are going to stand still and listen to me. Do you understand? You will listen. When I am done talking, I will do whatever you ask, including leaving you here on this sidewalk. Yes?”
She hesitated. She was breathing hard, and trembling. He fought back the desire to put his arms around her and draw her into the warmth of his body.
After a few seconds, she gave a quick nod. He took a deep breath, lifted his hands from her shoulders and stepped away.
“Charles,” he said softly.
Charles opened the umbrella and held it out. She looked at it as if it were going to detonate, but at last she reached out and snatched it from Charles’s hand.
Marco nodded. Step one, he thought, and cleared his throat.
“Charles. The lady does not trust my good Samaritan instincts.”
The woman looked at him as if he were certifiable. Maybe he was, or maybe he’d simply pushed things too far to back down now.
“Charles,” he said again. “How long have you worked for me?”
“For six years, sir. Seven, come this July.”
“And in all that time have you ever known me to do anything illegal?” A tiny silence. Marco swung toward Charles. “Have you?”
“Well, I have seen you drive, sir. The speed limit—”
“Have you ever seen me mug an old lady?”
“No, sir. Certainly not.”
“Have I kidnapped anyone?”
“Of course not.”
“Are there bodies buried on the terrace around my condo, Charles, or at any of the other homes I own?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Am I a thief? A burglar? A swindler? Do I cheat retirees out of their hard-earned savings?”
“No!”
Marco nodded. “And where were we tonight, Charles?”
“At the Hotel Deville, sir.”
“For what reason?”
“You attended the mayor’s annual charity dinner.”
“Dinner, and raffle,” Marco said grimly.
“Of course.”
“And I was there because?”
“Because you were invited.”
“Because?”