Ian grinned. “Mr. Ramses is a stickler about certain things. One is not leaving the house without wearing Kevlar.”
“Kevlar?” Her eyes opened wide. “Oh, thank God, you were wearing a bulletproof vest.”
“I’m sore, but don’t you worry, I’ll be as good as new. I wanted you to know if I could have, I would have gone after you.”
She shook her head. “I was safe but worried.” Her eyes came to me and back to Ian. “I was concerned about all the people I care about.”
“We’re all happy you’re home.”
“Thank you, Ian. Are you going to get to do real work for my husband now or is he keeping you on babysitting duty?”
Ian’s lips curled. “He offered me the most important job in his realm.”
“Oh.” She straightened her neck. “Well, that’s great. I’ll miss you, but you deserve that.”
He nodded. “I took it, for now anyway.”
“May I ask what it entails?” She looked at me and back to him. “Or is it some kind of Ramses secret?”
“I believe the secret is out, Mrs. Ram—Miss Emma,” he grinned. “You see, the position was very covert at first, but in a few minutes, my special assignment will be speaking to the press.”
My wife’s expression softened. “You want to stay with me? Aren’t there more important jobs?”
Ian shook his head. “No one is more important to Mr. Ramses. Not only him, ma’am, you’re important to New Orleans.”
Pink climbed from Emma’s neck to her cheeks. If Ian weren’t here, I’d be willing to see if her blush went lower to her...
Ian spoke, “Besides, who else will know what shoes you should wear with what dress?”
Emma reached for his hand. “Let me show you what I planned for the media statement.”
As I walked away, I had a sense of peace that was a welcome emotion. If I believed Miss Guidry, I’d say the spirits were pleased. I knew my wife was in good hands. I also knew that she was where she wanted to be. It was time to make it all public.
By the time I turned on the landing midway to the bottom of the staircase, I could not only hear but also see the people gathering. One set of gray eyes met mine.
Fuck.
It was eleven o’clock.
Taking a deep breath, I made my way down the remaining stairs.
“Mr. Ramses, if you don’t mind,” Miss Guidry said, “I’ll be happy to get the camera crew settled in your front office. They said it takes some time for lights and sound equipment.”
“Thank you, Miss Guidry.” I didn’t give a fuck about any of that. “Mrs. Ramses,” I added, “will be down shortly. I need a minute with Mr. Michelson.”
Ms. Lynch stepped forward. “Mr. Ramses, Boyd and I have gone through the questions. I wanted you to know.”
“Thank you, if you’ll excuse me for a moment.”
As Miss Guidry gathered Boyd Clark, Sophie Lynch, and the others and ushered them into the front office, Richard Michelson and I went the opposite direction, to the front sitting room. Closing the doors behind us, I didn’t offer him a seat. “I obviously forgot about our meeting.”
He nodded. “I heard you were giving the statement. I assume that means no one is missing.”
“No one would include a great number of people. I’m sure someone is missing.”
Michelson took a deep breath. “Will the missing person or persons be missed?”
“Not by me.”