The Mirror

Chapter 3: An Unexpected Valentine

"Switching the subject on me? You really are incorrigible." She took a breath. "But I have to admit, Paris is a much more appropriate topic for a Valentine's brunch. Weatherby's wants its Paris office to implement the procedures we developed in New York for conducting auctions. The scuttlebutt is that management will select two or three people from New York to work on the transition."

"You're hoping to be picked, aren't you?"

"Of course! How often does the chance to work in Paris come along?"

"Will you have to put your master's work on hold?"

"Surprisingly, no."

Neal arched an eyebrow. "So you've already investigated it?"

Fiona grinned. "Just in case. A girl needs to be prepared. The assignment is supposed to last for three to six months. If I'm not back by the start of fall classes, I could apply to take courses in Paris. Columbia offers a dual master's with the Pantheon–Sorbonne."

"Three to six months?" Neal sat back, making a face. "That translates into three to six months of thinking about you hooking up with a Frenchman."

"You could visit me ... preferably frequently," she suggested enticingly. "Help me keep those Frenchman at bay."

"What an excellent idea! Summer's coming up. I'm going to need a vacation after surviving a year at Columbia." He stood up to remove their plates.

Fiona followed him into the kitchenette. "I've been checking plane schedules and found many cheap flights between New York and Paris. If you're accepted into the PhD program, you could specialize in the French Impressionists, French Expressionism, or perhaps Les Fauves. You have an affinity for Matisse, after all."

"I detect a recurring theme in your suggestions."

"You're right. They all require frequent trips to France, particularly Paris." Taking the plates from his hands and placing them on the counter, she wrapped her arms around his hips. "You realize living in Paris would have a serious disadvantage from my perspective, don't you?"

He drew her close. " Then we better make the most of the time we have."

* * * * *

On Monday morning when Peter got off at the elevator, Neal was already at his desk. He was wearing a tie Peter hadn't seen before—a light pink and burgundy jacquard. It looked Italian and expensive. A nod to it being Valentine's Day? Peter stopped to chat on his way upstairs. "Good weekend?"

Neal nodded, breaking into a smile. "You set for tonight?"

"Yep. Got it all planned."

"Corner booth at Donatella's?"

"Naturally, and I walked Satchmo this morning before leaving."

"Truer love."

"You got that right. What do you and Fiona have on tap?"

"We both have seminars tonight, so Fiona and I celebrated on the weekend." His expression turned serious. "I also spoke with Henry. Do you have time to discuss it?"

"I have a meeting with Hughes in a few minutes. Let's get together afterward." Hughes had texted Peter at home that morning. On the way to work, Peter had speculated on what the subject would be. His best guess was it concerned Interpol. Hughes's contact was stationed at the Interpol headquarters in France and communications were normally held early in the day. As it turned out, his guess about Interpol was correct, but the subject concerned neither Azathoth nor Adler.

"You remember the conference in Brussels last month sponsored by the International Council of Museums?" Hughes asked when Peter had taken a seat in his office.