Lina didn’t budge.
Carefully, Emma separated strands of hair as if she were focusing in on one in particular. That fact worked in her favor, because it gave her even more time to press right up against the scalp and grab hold of the base of the hair shaft. Here goes, she thought.
She pulled.
Lina gave a little squeak, but Emma almost shouted with triumph. The tiny bulb at the end of the hair shaft told her she’d accomplished her goal.
“All done,” she announced, reaching for her purse while being careful not to touch the hair root. “I’ll give you my little mirror. You can turn around and reassure yourself. It was barely visible before, but it’s all gone now.” Emma realized how irrational that sounded, but she also knew Lina would take the bait. She’d have to convince herself that she was gray-free.
Sure enough, Lina nodded. “Thank you.”
The strand was sealed inside the envelope by the time Lina was turning to scrutinize herself. She held up Emma’s mirror and used it to search the back of her head on the wide mirror spanning the bathroom wall.
“Death by drowning.” Emma used the time to turn on one of the gilded sinks and wash an imaginary hair down the drain.
“It’s gone.” Lina sagged with relief. “I’m so grateful. I never would have known it was there, but I’m sure every female in that room would have noticed it. Thank you, Emma.” She gave her a big hug. “Now I’m doubly determined to make you and Liam happen.”
Emma grinned. “Okay, but I’ll need something to calm my nerves. How about if I grab a glass of wine and meet you back at the table, fortified and ready for you to work your magic.”
Lina grinned back. “I’ll get started telling Liam how wonderful you are.”
“Do you want anything?”
“Later. I’ll be busy matchmaking.”
Lina flipped the lock, they stepped out into the vestibule, and Emma gave herself a mental high-five. Phase one complete. On to phase two.
She walked back into the living room, scanned the area, and spotted Aidan chatting with some unknown but important-looking men. Deep in conversation as he was, Emma had the distinct feeling that Aidan was well aware of her presence. He was one scary-amazing guy, that Aidan. And she’d be forever in his debt—his and Marc’s. They’d saved her life. Literally.
Pushing aside those terrifying memories, she weaved her way through the crowd until she reached Aidan’s side. By that time she was palming the envelope. She slipped it into his pocket, and, with a light tap on his suit jacket to let him know he had what he needed, she gave him a quick smile and continued on her way. She stopped at the bar and ordered a glass of Pinot Grigio.
Diagonally across the room, Casey caught Emma’s eye and gave her an imperceptible nod of congratulations. Emma smiled before taking her wine and heading off in the direction of Lina and her friends.
A job well done. Praise from her boss.
Emma had earned a date with Liam.
CHAPTER 30
It was seven forty-five the next night when Aidan called Marc’s cell.
“I’ve got the answers you’re looking for,” he said. “I’ll email them to you now.”
Marc had been sitting with Casey at the conference room table, discussing the investigation and their mutual gut instinct that the key answer was just out of their reach. Now, Marc signaled to Casey that it was Aidan on the phone.
“I’m in the office,” Marc told his brother. “Casey’s with me. Send it to us both.”
“Done.”
“And thanks—I owe you one.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
Marc disconnected the call and waited. Casey perched at the edge of her seat, staring at her cell phone.
A few seconds later the email with the lab results popped up.
The DNA test was conclusive. Lina, Gia, and Dani were identical triplets.