Solace in Scandal (26 page)

‘It reminds me of the trail where we met,’ she whispered.

His grey gaze lingered and his thumb moved over her hair.

A yearning began inside her chest. She really did miss that place and the time they’d shared alone, away from the world.

The tour guide drove them around the exterior of the large enclosure, stopping when they saw the pack. Elena got out of the cart to watch them. She moved cautiously, not wanting to spook the wild animals. ‘How many are there?’

‘Eight,’ Alex replied. ‘With three new cubs.’

‘Aw.’ The wolves looked back at her with just as much curiosity. Their eyes were bright and intelligent. Their coats were growing thicker for the impending cold weather, but they played as if the chill didn’t bother them. They nipped each other and played tag.

‘There’s the alpha,’ he said, pointing at a wolf with a coat entirely of silver.

Once she began watching the larger canine, his status was clear. The other wolves deferred to him, playing along but always submitting. When they were caught, they’d roll onto their backs and the alpha wolf would stand over them.

‘Is its name Ax?’ she joked.

‘Actually,’ the tour guide said with a chuckle, ‘it is.’

Her jaw dropped and she looked at Alex.

‘Money can buy you some things.’ He grinned and helped her back onto her seat. ‘I’ve never heard you call me that.’

‘Because that’s not who you are to me,’ she said quietly.

He ran his finger across her cheek.

The tour guide started up the golf cart again. ‘Dr Hoff wanted me to bring you directly to the medical centre.’

Elena frowned. ‘Oh no, is one of them sick?’

‘No, it’s time for the pups’ check-up.’

She shot Alex an excited look.

‘I thought you might like to watch.’

She laced her fingers through his and squeezed tight. Out of everything they’d done since they’d returned to the city, this was the most special. They followed the zoo employee through a door disguised to look like a wall of rocks, and put on white lab coats and gloves.

When Elena walked into the examination room, it was all she could do not to squeal. Three wolf pups were in a box on the ground. The cardboard was softened with a towel that had already been gnawed threadbare in places. The pups tumbled together and tried to climb over each other to get out.

‘Mr Wolfe,’ a blonde woman called. She was decked out in medical scrubs. ‘Welcome.’

Alex shook her hand warmly. ‘Dr Hoff. This is Elena Bardot.’

‘I’m glad you could join us. Thank you for all your support.’

‘What are you doing today?’ Elena watched as another caretaker lifted a pup out of the box. It squirmed in her arms, but the woman held it close as she carried it over to a scale. It took a while before they could get an accurate measurement. The pup was curious about the shiny stethoscope hanging around her neck and a red ball that had been left nearby on the table.

‘We’re taking weights and measurements. We want to make sure their growth is on track.’ The veterinarian pointed to the two pups on the floor. ‘Do you want to help us out?’

‘I can touch them?’

‘We try to keep human contact to a minimum, but you’re geared up properly.’

Elena looked at Alex. He was right. Money could open doors that some people could never break down.

For once, they were out together in the city and he looked relaxed. He squatted down beside the box and scratched the head of a grey and white pup. It appeared to like the feel of it. Twisting its head, it yipped and pressed harder into the palm of his hand.

Elena tried to coax the shyer pup that was cowering in the corner. It was dark, with a coat the colour of sable. ‘Come here, sweetie.’

She picked up the pup and held it close to her chest. The poor little thing trembled, but she stroked its back until it snuggled close. Alex had more trouble with his energetic charge. The grey pup was full of vigour and devilry. It scrambled out of the box before he could catch it. Bounding across the room, the little predator attacked another red ball.

‘That’s OK,’ the veterinarian said. ‘He’s working on his hunting skills.’

Alex tugged the ball away from the alert little pup and tossed it. The grey wolf chased and pounced so dramatically everyone laughed.

‘They’re so cute.’ Elena could hardly bear it. She scratched under the chin of the pup she was holding and tried not to squeeze it too tightly.

‘They’re six weeks old today and starting to wean.’ Dr Hoff signalled to Elena. ‘Could you bring the female over, please?’

She was careful as she sat the little pup on the scale. The assistant marked down her weight and picked up the tape measure. She measured the wolf’s length and the circumference of her chest. Throughout it all, Elena stroked the dark little fur ball. It seemed to trust her and kept wanting to cuddle close.

Alex walked over with her rambunctious brother. It was licking his chin and trying to bite his ear.

The titan of industry couldn’t have looked happier.

The medical team went on to do a thorough check of both babies’ health. They looked at their teeth and their vitals. Soon it was time to put them back in the box with their triplet. In the den, the alpha female was getting anxious to see her litter.

‘Just one last thing,’ the doctor said, snapping off her gloves. She tossed them into the trash and turned with a clipboard in her grip.

‘What’s that?’ Elena asked.

The veterinarian looked at Alex, but he nodded his head, smiling. ‘Go ahead.’

‘We had a public contest for the two males, but the female needs a name.’

Elena’s breath caught. ‘Alex,’ she said softly. ‘Really?’

‘Really.’

She melted on the inside. He’d wined and dined her, bought her an entire wardrobe, but this was a gift. It almost felt too important to accept. She knelt beside the box and stroked her little friend. The wolf rolled onto her side and offered up her stomach.

‘What do you think?’ he asked. He offered up the red ball. Finally feeling playful, the little girl batted at it with all four paws.

‘You name her,’ Elena insisted.

His grey gaze swung up to meet hers. ‘It’s why I brought you here.’

‘But she’s yours.’ He’d funded the exhibit. He was the one who’d given the wolves a home.

His grey gaze turned soft and intimate. ‘Her coat is the same colour as your hair.’

‘Not Elena,’ she whispered.

‘No,’ he agreed. He stroked his big hand over the small pup and twirled his finger around its tail. ‘How about Siren?’

Elena tilted her head. ‘I like it.’

Dr Hoff chuckled. ‘That’s perfect.’

They both looked at her, confused.

The woman rolled her eyes. ‘You should hear her howl.’

* * *

From there, the evening turned more sophisticated. A reception was held in the den viewing area. It was a cool underground space where the public could look in on the den through glass windows without bothering the mother and her litter. All the pups, including Siren, had been returned to the pack and seemed none the worse for their experience.

All around, champagne was served along with appetisers. Elena enjoyed herself immensely. She’d known Alex had a philanthropic bent, but she hadn’t known he’d contributed to something like this. From what she was able to learn, he’d funded the project years ago and it was finally coming to fruition.

It was nice to see the good that money could do, even if the zoo had had to deal with investigators.

She set her empty wine glass down on a passing waiter’s tray and waited for a break in the discussion Alex was having with a researcher before touching his arm. ‘I’ll be right back.’

Wandering down the path, she searched for the ladies’ room. The designers and construction team had really outdone themselves. She felt like she was in a cave out in the woods. She finally saw the familiar sign.

She used the facilities and freshened up. A smile was on her face as she smoothed her hair. There was a flush to her cheeks and a lightness in her mood.

‘Siren,’ she whispered.

Her heart squeezed. That man might have just taken it.

Eager to rejoin him, she left the restroom. She nearly bumped into a woman standing outside the door. ‘Oh, excuse me.’

‘Elena? Elena Bardot?’

Elena looked at the woman, trying to place her. She looked familiar. ‘Yes?’

A bright light suddenly turned on, blinding her. The woman lifted a microphone and grinned like a crocodile. ‘Caroline Woodward. WABC News.’

Elena took a step back and lifted her hand to shield her eyes. ‘Excuse me?’

‘As the daughter of former CFO Randolph Bardot, how do you feel about Wolfe Financial declaring bankruptcy?’

Elena didn’t know what was going on, but any mention of her father put her back up. She looked around for help. The restrooms were around the corner from the party. Nobody else was nearby but this reporter and her cameraman.

‘Shouldn’t the Wolfe family be trying to pay back the investors they swindled?’ the reporter demanded. Her eyes gleamed behind her black-rimmed eyeglasses. She’d caught the scent of fresh meat. ‘On that note, shouldn’t the Bardots?’

Elena tried to sidestep the duo, but the reporter blocked her way. She was trapped, and her heart began beating inside her chest like a snare drum. Flashing back, she remembered the reporter who’d trapped her in the stairwell of her building. ‘No comment,’ she said hoarsely.

The reporter smiled smugly, pulling the microphone back in for what would surely be another loaded question. Elena heard the clinking of glasses and the chatter of cocktail conversation. Dare she call out? Would that make things even worse?

‘You seem to be doing very well for yourself,’ Caroline said, rocking her head back and forth on her neck like a swivel. ‘How long have you and Alex Wolfe been seeing one another?’

‘No com –’

‘Was this your way of pulling yourself up by your bootstraps?’ The reporter bulldozed right over her, not waiting for an answer. ‘What are your mother’s feelings on the pairing?’

Elena’s mouth dropped open in shock. ‘I don’t think this is an appropriate discussion to be having.’

‘Not appropriate. I’d say that’s what most people are thinking about your relationship. The two of you have been seen all about town. Does Mr Wolfe feel no remorse? Have you no shame, eating at Jean-Georges while the common man is out there trying to rebuild his retirement portfolio?’

The common man. Elena didn’t know what to say. Technically, the majority of people affected by the Ponzi scheme had been high-end earners. She knew. She’d analysed the numbers. Bartholomew and her father hadn’t gone after chump change, but there was no way she could make that statement without seeming haughty and condescending. After all, her own mother had been a victim.

‘No comment?’ Caroline said saucily. ‘OK, what can you tell us about Bartholomew Wolfe? Has The Ax spoken about him at all? Are you aware of the man’s whereabouts?’

‘No, I don’t know anything about that.’

‘You haven’t asked?’ The cameraman panned to his partner and she gave an overly dramatic look of miscomprehension. ‘Do you think that the elder Wolfe is even alive?’

‘I –’ Elena’s brain froze. It was a low blow, and it took the wind right out of her.

Holding up her notebook, the reporter read off the facts. ‘Authorities have never found a flight manifest with Bartholomew Wolfe’s name in the days surrounding his disappearance. There hasn’t been any activity on his accounts. Do you give any credence to the long-held suspicion that he did not leave the country? And perhaps met the same fate as your father?’

Elena reached back to the wall for support. Revulsion was making her stomach churn.

The over-aggressive news reporter stepped into her space. Elena held up her hand to protect herself from the camera, but she couldn’t keep them both at bay.

‘Alex Wolfe has a reputed black temper,’ Caroline said salaciously. ‘Is there –’

‘Yes, he does,’ Alex said, stepping into the middle of the confrontation. ‘Caroline.’

The way he said the woman’s name made Elena shiver. She reached for his hand, but he pushed her behind him, blocking both the camera and the reporter’s view. Rage radiated from him. The air resonated with the violence of his mood, practically humming.

The reporter’s eyes widened and the reaction was magnified by her lenses. She licked her lips. ‘Mr Wolfe, what would you like to say about your grandfather?’

‘Absolutely nothing,’ he growled.

Seeing she’d tweaked a nerve, the reporter smirked. ‘Back to your relationship with Ms Bardot, then. Did you seduce her, knowing the public would consider her a sympathetic figure? Were you trying to rehabilitate your reputation?’

He took a threatening step forward and Elena reached out. Settling her hand upon his, she wove their fingers together and clamped down tight. His fist bunched, but he gathered himself. She could feel him reining his temper in.

He let out a sharp whistle. ‘Security.’

The reporter’s energy turned frenzied. She knew her exclusive interview was coming to an end. ‘Or perhaps your relationship with Ms Bardot goes back further than that. We’ve learned from classmates that she’s followed in her father’s footsteps and is somewhat of an economics savant. Was she complicit in the Ponzi scheme?’

Vasquez and Hanson converged on the scene. One went for the reporter and the other went for the camera. Vasquez planted himself like a wall in front of the video guy, and the man lost coverage. He tried to come from another angle, but everywhere he turned, he was hindered. Vasquez wasn’t that much bigger, but he was stronger and he was faster.

‘Back away from my client,’ Hanson ordered. Using a move that was deceptively simple and amazingly effective, he used his mass to bully the reporter away.

‘Don’t you touch me!’ she snapped.

He held up his hands. He hadn’t put a finger on her, but it was clear he would if she didn’t stand down.

The bulldog reporter went up on her toes. ‘Elena! Do you know where those hundreds of millions of dollars went?’

Elena hung her head. She was about to make a break for the bathroom again, because she felt sick. Such a wonderful event had been ruined. People were starting to come around the corner to stare. She’d learned to be oblivious to the whispers and finger-pointing they received at the restaurants they visited, but this was entirely different. Their supposed crimes were being shouted out so everyone could hear, but none of it was true.