Finders Keepers Edie Baylis (phonics readers .TXT) 📖

Lena smiled gracefully. ‘Of course. Do you have a date in mind?’

Heath made a big show of thinking. ‘Well, if the artist in question signs tomorrow – of which I’m fairly certain he will, then I’d be looking for a function around a week today?’

Lena could barely contain her enthusiasm. Got him hook, line and sinker. ‘For roughly how many people?’

‘Oh, erm...’ Heath fidgeted. How many people would be invited to a pop-star’s signing? As the intro music blasted out signifying the second half of the show, he had a brainwave – one that would get him behind the scenes – and, as an extra bonus if he played his cards right, between the legs of this hot chick. She was as much up for it as he was, so why not take a few perks as part of his detective work? All work and no play and all that...?

‘I don’t suppose you have an office? Now the show’s started I can’t hear myself think. It won’t take long to see if you have the dates I need available and then I can get it booked in.’

Lena stood up. ‘Please follow me.’ That hadn’t taken long. She’d only gone and bagged another massively influential event. Jonah would be pleased, but Gwen would be spitting chips which made it even more enjoyable.

Following the corridor to Lena Taylor’s office, Heath surreptitiously glanced through the other doors. Although each one had a glass panel, there wasn’t anyone about. ‘It’s like the Marie Celeste in here,’ he joked.

Ignoring the comment, Lena motioned to the door in front of her. ‘Please come into my office.’

Heath glanced down the end of the corridor at a room that didn’t have a glass panel. ‘What’s that mystery room?’

Lena laughed. ‘Nothing mysterious about that, it’s the main office.’

Heath gave a dramatized cloak and dagger look. ‘You mean the big bad boss?’

‘Something like that,’ Lena giggled, shutting the office door behind them. ‘Take a seat and I’ll find the diary.’

Heath’s eyes remained firmly fixed on Lena’s backside as she sashayed across the office, bending over in front of him to retrieve a book from her desk. Fidgeting uncomfortably, he dragged his eyes away from the far too tempting sight and instead tried to remember what he was doing.

With her back turned, Lena smiled, knowing damn well this guy’s full concentration was on her. She suppressed a giggle. His tongue was almost hanging out – just the way she liked men to act. It was empowering having that effect and the day that stopped was the day she knew her power had diminished and it was time to get down to Harley Street for a top up of whatever new surgery was required.

She quickly double checked the button on her white jacket was done up. She didn’t want him spotting the kitchen roll baby. That would break the illusion. It was vital to ooze as much charm as possible and dangle the carrot in front of his nose to get him to sign up for the most expensive event package possible. That would go some way towards placating Jonah.

Since some prat had ballsed things up by planting a seed of doubt in his mind about her allegations about Saul, Jonah had treated her differently and things had edged back to being less balanced. The situation was playing heavily on her mind and she needed to restore the faith.

Smiling widely, Lena turned and leant against the edge of her desk, glancing in the events book. ‘We can cater for you next Friday or Saturday, but the only available room is our biggest function suite – the one that holds 600 people.’

Blatantly undressing Lena with his eyes, Heath stood up. ‘It goes without saying that I’d want the best selection of wines and champagnes and of course a full buffet, as well as entrance drinks and canapes.’

The pound signs rolled behind Lena’s eyes, but she refrained from squealing out loud. She’d make a mint out of this. Doing some rough calculations in her head, tripling it and adding on another 40% for good measure, she placed her hand on Heath’s jacket sleeve. ‘Let’s see... With the 25% reduction for being a Platinum member and the buffet for 600 covers... decorations... guest DJ etc... then I’d say you’re looking at around £75,000. If you want a free bar then that would be extra, of course.’

Heath astounded himself by not twitching at the ludicrous figure. 75k for a party? Did people really do shit like that? Jesus! ‘That sounds fine,’ he said casually.

Sidling closer, he figured he may as well push his charms. He grinned lazily at Lena, a little disappointed to see close up she had on at least fifteen layers of foundation and wondered how deep the groove would be if he ran his nail down her cheek. ‘How well do you know the boss? Maybe I could have a word and see if I can get a better discount? I’m thinking I’d like all of our events to be held at the Feathers. Especially if we can reach a mutual agreement.’

And if he could get some time with Jonah Powell, then he might be able to get a proper heads up as to where his inheritance had been squirrelled. Worth a try, surely?

Lena raised her painted eyebrows. ‘You want to speak to Mr Powell about this, rather than me?’

Heath faltered. Fuck. Now he’d offended her. He just needed to see this man and weigh him up. There was also a certain amount of morbid curiosity in laying his eyes on the man related to his grandfather’s murderer. ‘I’d much prefer to deal with you,’ he said hastily. ‘I just thought th...’

‘Jonah doesn’t deal with this side of the business. This,’ she said proudly, ‘is all at my discretion.’

Heath forced himself to smile. Bollocks. ‘Then I’ll leave it down to you. I’m sure Mr Powell will be happy to hear you have convinced me to book all of my