Chapter 45 Velvet Room
Eva's skin prickled. She and Adrian hadn't made an appointment. They hadn't announced their visit.
Solomon Grant had known they were coming.
Inside, the Velvet Room was very different from how it looked outside. The place was luxurious and impressive, with classic wealth shown in every detail.
Crystal chandeliers, suspended overhead, diffused a warm glow across leather sofas and panels of dark, polished wood.
Soft jazz played from hidden speakers. The few patrons Eva glimpsed were clearly wealthy and powerful, speaking in hushed tones as if engaged in conversations they didn't want others to overhear.
Soft jazz played from hidden speakers. The few people Eva saw were obviously rich, obviously important, and clearly talking about things they wanted to keep private.
The woman led them through the main room, past a bar that looked like one from the 1920s, and into a private office at the back.
Solomon Grant rose from behind an antique desk as they entered.
For a brief moment, the woman who had brought them in glanced at Grant, waiting for the smallest nod before she quietly slipped out and closed the door.
He was not what Eva expected.
He was short and round, with a baby-faced look and sparkling eyes. He seemed more like a kind grandfather than someone involved in crime.
But as Eva watched him, she saw a faint scar cutting just below his jaw, partly hidden by his shirt collar.
Something about his gentle smile reminded Eva of stories she had heard—how even the most dangerous people sometimes seem kind on the outside.
His suit was well-tailored but not flashy. His smile was warm and welcoming.
But his eyes were just as Webb had described. He rolled a coin between his fingers. Behind the warm look in his eyes, Eva saw careful thinking and judgment. There was the cold patience of a hunter watching its next target.
"Mr. Cavanaugh. Mrs. Fransis." His voice was pleasant, melodic. "Please, sit. Can I offer you something to drink?"
"We're not here to drink," Adrian cut in, his voice hard.
"I see. Straight to business. I respect that." Grant settled back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "You're looking for Victor Chen."
Eva's heart lurched. "How do you know that?"
"Oh, I know a great many things." Grant's smile widened. "It's my business to know things. Just as it's my business to facilitate... connections between interested parties."
"Can you connect us to Chen?"
"Perhaps. The question is: what are you offering in exchange?"
Adrian leaned forward. "What do you want?"
Grant considered them for a long moment.
"The Consortium is worried about the recent exposure of Helena Park's actions. They're even more worried about what else might come to light. What else are you planning to reveal to the press?" He tilted his head.
"I understand you've gotten a large collection of her files. Papers, recordings, financial records." He put the coin from his hand onto the table as he finished speaking.
"We have."
"The Consortium really wants to know exactly what is in those files. More importantly, they want to make sure some information never becomes public."
Eva's jaw tightened. "So you want us to bury evidence."
"I want to help find a solution that works for everyone." Grant spread his hands as if innocent. "You get Helena Park. The Consortium receives a promise that their more sensitive actions will remain secret. Everyone is happy."
"And if we refuse?"
Grant's smile didn't waver, but something shifted in his eyes.
"Then I'm afraid I can't help you. And the Consortium will have to use... other methods to protect their privacy."
The threat was clear, even though he did not say it directly.
Eva felt Adrian tense beside her. She knew what he wanted to do: tell Grant exactly where to put his offer, pull him out of his chair, and make him talk.
But that wouldn't help them get what they needed.
"We'll think about your offer," Eva said, her voice steady. "But first, we need proof that you can really bring us, Victor Chen."
Grant's eyebrows rose. "You don't trust me?"
"I don't trust anyone who makes money from other people's secrets." Eva looked him in the eyes steadily. "Show us you mean business, and we'll talk."
There was a long pause.
Then Grant laughed, and the sound was genuine and delighted.
"I like you, Mrs. Fransis. You have real courage." He reached into his desk drawer and took out a thin envelope.
"A sign of good faith. Victor Chen will be at this place tomorrow evening. Whether you meet him as enemies or friends is your choice."
Eva took the envelope and held back from opening it right away.
"We'll be in touch."
"I look forward to it." Grant's smile returned, warm and cold at once.
His eyes lingered on Eva, watching closely for her reaction. "Do give my regards to your father. We met once, many years ago. Your father left quite an impression. He handled himself admirably under unusual circumstances, and I've always respected that." Grant's fingers drummed softly on the desk.
"He is a good man. I'd hate to see anything bad happen to him."
Eva felt a chill run through her.
But she didn't let it show. She simply nodded, turned, and walked out of the office with Adrian at her side.
She finally let herself breathe once they were in the car, driving away from the Velvet Room.
"He is threatening to harm Dad."
"I noticed." Adrian's voice was grim. "We need to increase security around Richard. And we need to decide how we're handling Victor Chen."
Eva opened the envelope. Inside was a single card with an address and a time.
Tomorrow. 8 PM. A warehouse on the waterfront.
It did not feel like useful information. It felt like a trap.
But it was also their only lead.
"We will go," Eva said firmly. "But, let's prepare first, before we meet this Victor Chen."
Adrian nodded slowly. "Okay, we will do as you say."
That evening, Eva found her father in his study.
Richard sat in his favorite armchair, staring at the fireplace. He looked older than Eva had ever seen him. The once proud patriarch now seemed like only a shadow of himself.
"Dad?"
He looked up, managing a wan smile. "Eva. My dear, come in."
She sat across from him and looked at his face. The lines were deeper, and his eyes seemed emptier. Still, there was something left in him, something strong that hadn't broken.
"I spoke to Solomon Grant today," she said. "He mentioned meeting you once."
"I knew of him. Years ago, before I married Helena, I was... not always careful about the people I spent time with. Building a business requires making deals with people who work in secret." He sighed heavily. "Grant came to me once. Offered his help. I said no, but not before I learned enough about him to be scared."
"What did you learn?"