Chapter Fourteen

ACACIA RETREATED AND PUT HER HAND on the door handle.

“All I ask is a moment of your time.” Monsieur Breckman remained by the windows.

“You’re stalking me.” She cast him an accusatory look.

“Far from it.” He gestured to a chair, but Acacia refused to take it.

“Who are you?”

“Nicholas Cassirer.” He stepped toward her and extended his hand.

She spurned it.

“We’ve gotten off on the wrong foot.” He lowered his voice. “I regret this.”

“You changed your name. And your appearance.” She gestured to his face, which was now bearded. His scar had been covered, presumably with some kind of prosthetic that blended into his beard. His dark hair was combed differently.

“I’m still scarred.” He gazed at her coolly. “I just choose to cover it on occasion.”

Acacia had to fight the urge to touch her temple, where the skin was marred but hidden. “Why the name change?”

“I’ll explain in a moment. I’ve made several missteps, which I mean to correct. The gratuity was not intended as a bribe, but rather a reward for excellent service.”

“Wrongs can’t be rectified by money.”

“I agree.” Nicholas’s tone was sincere. “I’m not here to give you your gratuity. I’m here to offer an explanation.”

He gestured to one of the chairs again.

“Thank you, I prefer to stand.”

“Very well.” He placed his hands in his pockets once again. “My family owns a number of different corporations. I’m involved with their oversight. A few years ago I began devoting much of my time to the recovery of stolen art.”

Acacia’s gaze sharpened.

Nicholas smiled. “I knew that would pique your curiosity. Because of the nature of the black market, I assume different identities. I have the support of several governments and sometimes travel on diplomatic passports.”

“Why would a government support you?”

“My goal is to return stolen art to its rightful owners. National governments view me as an ally.”

Acacia looked at him curiously. “Are you a spy?”

Nicholas’s dark eyes twinkled. “I inhabit the corporate world, while dabbling in black market art and antiquities.” He extended his arms. “Think of me as Robin Hood in a suit.”

“There was a theft at the Uffizi in Florence a few years ago; someone stole a collection of illustrations of Dante’s The Divine Comedy. Later on, they were recovered. Was that you?”

“No.” He lowered his arms. “But you heard about that.”

“It was all over the news.”

“I know the Emersons, the present owner and his wife, because my family sold them the illustrations. But I was not the Robin Hood who returned them.”

“Robin Hood was captured by the Sheriff of Nottingham.”

“I have powerful friends who assist me in evading capture.”

She squinted at him. “Is that why the BRB released you?”

“They released me because I was on the trail of a stolen painting. I was undercover, which is why I couldn’t explain myself to you. Marcel was the intermediary between an art dealer and me. Unfortunately, he was attacked before he could give me the location of the meeting or the name of the dealer.”

“I didn’t know Marcel had those kinds of connections.”

“Probably because those connections run through the black market.” Nicholas took a step closer. “A couple of years ago, I expressed interest in an artifact I knew was illegal to acquire. At first, Marcel refused. Later, he said he might have a source that could help me. I’ve been using Marcel ever since.”

“Did you ask him for a relic?”

Nicholas chuckled. “No.”

Acacia waited, expecting him to expand on his answer. But he didn’t.

She clutched her briefcase. “Marcel is still in a coma.”

“I’ve been trying to discover who attacked him. You should know, mademoiselle, Marcel has been procuring illegal goods and services for his clients for years. I’m convinced Monsieur Roy has some awareness of these activities and probably takes a commission. His animosity toward you suggests he sees you as a threat.”

“I’m not a threat to anyone.”

Nicholas gave her a pointed look. “You’re a person of integrity who has a friend in the BRB. Roy doesn’t want their scrutiny. He has to get rid of you or risk exposure.”

Acacia’s shoulders slumped. “Then there’s nothing I can do to keep my job.”

Nicholas guided her to a chair, and she finally sat down. He walked over to the conference table and lifted a bottle of sparkling water. He poured some into a glass and presented it to her.

“Thank you.” She sipped, her mind racing. “I didn’t know about any of this.”

“I thought as much.”

“If law enforcement ever investigated the Victoire and made arrests, my reputation would be tarnished. No other hotel would want to hire me.”

“That’s why I’m here.”

Acacia tasted the water again. “I don’t need rescuing.”

Nicholas’s expression tightened. He pulled up a chair and sat facing her.

“My executive assistant is unable to travel. I need someone who can accompany me on business trips and help with local arrangements. I also need an interpreter.”

“I’m sure there are many potential executive assistants who could fill the position.”

“I don’t want them. I want you.”

Acacia arched an eyebrow.

Nicholas leaned forward and rested his forearms on his knees. “You have concierge experience, fluency in several languages, and a background in art.”

“Why not contact me directly rather than using Madame Bishop to lure me out here?”

Nicholas stiffened. “There’s no luring. KLH is a respected employment firm. I asked Madame Bishop to mediate our contract because I wanted to be open and above-board. She will ensure there’s a paper trail, and she can assist you in contacting my references.”

“Who are your references?”

“The Minister of the Interior, for one.”

Acacia restrained a laugh. “The Minister of the Interior would vouch for you?”

“Yes.” His dark eyes focused on hers. “In one of our conversations you mentioned the theft of a Degas while it was on loan in Marseilles. You’re probably aware the painting was recovered.”

Acacia nodded.

Nicholas smiled. “I was involved in the recovery.

“I can offer you a contract through one of my Paris offices. You’ll receive an excellent salary and benefits, which Madame Bishop will outline. The contract would only be for one year. After that, my current executive assistant should be able to travel.”

“If I leave the Victoire, I lose my work permit.”

“As I said, the Minister of the Interior is a friend. I can secure a temporary work permit for you and apply for an EU blue card.”

“An EU blue card?” Acacia couldn’t keep the longing out of her voice.

“Yes. Usually EU blue cards can only be secured after a year, but given my connections, we’ll try to fast track it. Once you have a blue card, you’ll be able to live and work in the European Union indefinitely. KLH can act as your reference and help you find work as a concierge after your contract with me is complete.”

“This is all very generous, but I still don’t understand why you’re offering me a job. We had very little contact at the hotel and much of it was unpleasant.”

“I apologize for my unpleasantness.” Nicholas’s eyes took on a new intensity. “Even in the face of such challenges, you manifested several qualities I admire.”

“Such as?”

“Honesty. Integrity. Civic duty.”

Acacia was tempted to offer sarcasm, but Monsieur Cassirer’s expression was earnest. “You made at least two outrageous demands at the hotel. A bespoke suit in a matter of hours? A relic? I’m not keen to work for a person who treats his staff in that way.”

Nicholas’s dark eyes narrowed. “I wasn’t sure I could trust you.”

“Those tasks were a test?” Acacia lifted her voice.

“In my life, I’ve known precious few people I can trust. Given Marcel’s activities, it was highly likely you were also involved. I had to know for certain.”

Acacia stood, hands shaking, and placed her empty water glass on the table. “I don’t appreciate being a test subject.”

“I would feel the same way. But you called the BRB.” He smiled. “I was impressed.”

She scowled. “Is that why you threatened me when I mentioned the meeting Marcel was setting up? Because you found me impressive?”

Nicholas’s smile fled. He stood. “I was worried you’d get hurt.”

“So far only two people have threatened me: you and Monsieur Roy.”

“Roy is a snake.” Nicholas made a fist with his right hand. “You’re a person of integrity in a workplace surrounded by vipers. I’m offering you a way out. Further, I’m offering you an opportunity to work with me to restore stolen art to the great galleries of Europe. It’s a tremendous opportunity.”

“What if I don’t like working for you?”

“Then quit. This isn’t indentured servitude, mademoiselle. You can quit at any time, provided you give adequate notice. But I believe we will work well together. Certainly, working for me will be more secure than working at the hotel.”

“Wouldn’t I just be leaping from the frying pan into the fire? I’m still not sure who you really are, Monsieur Cassirer, assuming that’s your real name. And your work is dangerous.”

“I don’t take unnecessary risks, and I’m not a thief. Money usually exchanges hands in these transactions, which is why I’ve been successful. I have excellent security, which would protect you as well.”

Acacia remained unconvinced.

Nicholas studied her features. “There’s risk in everything, Acacia. Right now, you are in a position to choose what happens to you before someone like Roy takes that choice out of your hands.”

Acacia picked up her briefcase. “Thank you for your offer, but I cannot accept it.”

Nicholas placed his hands on his waist, flaring out his suit jacket. “You’d prefer to stay at the Victoire than work for me?”

“You tested me for your own amusement, and as a result of that test, I’ve been demoted and my career is in jeopardy. I need to find another job as soon as possible, hopefully one where my employer doesn’t treat his employees as lab rats.”

Something flared in his eyes. He was silent for a moment. “I should remind you that you’ve signed a confidentiality agreement, which means you aren’t to speak about anything we’ve discussed.”

“I understand.” Acacia retrieved her briefcase. “Goodbye.”

Nicholas didn’t reply.

Acacia felt his eyes on her as she walked to the door.