Rashid nodded. “As I’m sure you have, too.”
“Indeed.” He’d found out that Rashid was a serious businessman with clout, and that he was pursuing his life dream.
“Take some time to think about it,” Rashid offered.
Rex glanced around at his team and wondered if he looked as starry-eyed as they did. It was a big surprise, way above and beyond what they’d been hoping for, and it would be a lot of work. But it was very tempting indeed. “At Slipstream we do everything as a team. We’ll discuss it and get back to you.”
“I’ll email my investment profile and what I’m offering in terms of shares. I have high-profile sponsors lined up. I’m sure the information will help you make a decision.” Nikhil Rashid put out his hand, and Rex grasped it firmly.
“Does this mean we get to crack open that bottle of champagne you stashed in the office fridge yesterday?” Lance asked when they were on their way back to their vehicles.
Rex laughed and switched on his phone. “You’re like one of those kids who hunt down their Christmas presents in their parents’ wardrobe.”
The screen on his phone flashed a text message from Carmen. The sight of her name alone made him smile. It felt good that she’d asked him to leave work early. Perhaps they were getting close to a comfortable routine.
His smile faded when he read the message.
Rex, it’s the anniversary of my mother’s death and I visit her grave site every year. I’ll get the train up to Beldover as usual and—if you’re willing—I’ll see you at Burlington this evening. I could tell you wanted us to stay in London, but the manor is important to me. I have so many plans and I don’t want to miss a single weekend there. I let Mrs. Amery know I’m coming and that you might be, too. I’ve abided by all your requests and demands this past week. This is what I’d like: meet me at the manor this evening. Carmen. x
Rex looked at his watch. The meeting had gone on much longer than he’d expected and it was already past two. The message had been sent at eleven. He’d had his phone off for the duration of the meeting. Rashid’s track was based twenty miles south of Oxford, so he was already on the right side of London. If he went straight there he might be able to catch her before she got to the manor.
He folded his phone into his pocket. “I’m going to have to postpone that champagne. Something has come up at the manor. Sorry, guys.”
Lance lifted his hand. “No worries, we can make a session of it next week when you get back.”
As soon as he drove the Maserati onto the main road, he instructed his hands-free to call Carmen. The call went straight to voice mail. Would she check that while she was traveling? He wasn’t sure. It annoyed him that he couldn’t gauge her behavior more readily. She might have turned her phone off because she needed some alone time as she visited her mother’s grave. Alternatively it could be a bad sign. He left a brief message, asking her to get back to him as soon as she switched on her phone.
“I’m on my way,” he added before he ended the call.
Then he put a call in to Burlington Manor.
“Mrs. Amery, Rex here. I’m on my way to Beldover now. Has Carmen arrived at the manor?”
“Not as yet, but we are expecting her. She didn’t know whether you’d be able to come this weekend, but I’ll tell Cook to expect you, as well.”
“Thank you. If Carmen arrives there, could you ask her to phone me immediately?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Thank you. Tell me, has there been anything unusual about the manor this week? Have you seen anyone drifting around the place that concerned you?”
A weighty silence emitted from the other end of the line. Eventually she replied. “Do you mean those two louts that you sent from London, or somebody else?” Her tone was overly austere and defensive.
Rex grimaced. He hadn’t worded that very well. “I meant outside of them.”
“In that case, no. However, that was disconcerting enough.”
Rex clenched his jaw and his hands tightened on the wheel. “It wasn’t meant to be disconcerting. It was meant to bring support in the running of the manor.”
“We’re well aware that things need doing, and we will get to them. We’re working at full capacity.”
“Mrs. Amery, I asked for outside people to assess any urgent repairs in order to take the burden off you.”
“Running Burlington Manor has never been a burden and it never will be.”
Rex groaned internally. Apparently he’d sprung open a real can of worms here. “As I said, it wasn’t meant to undermine any of you. It was done in good faith. Two weeks ago, Bill told me more hands were needed.”
“I expect he probably did, but he meant local people who we know we could trust, not some fly-by-night people up from the city.”