Free Crêpe Murder: Book 4 (A Patisserie Mystery with Recipes) by Harper Lin

 

    “I’ve been paranoid myself, but now it looks like it’s for good reason.”  

    “I really didn’t expect it,” Clémence said. “They already have one girl. I think they’re getting pretty greedy with two.”  

    “A double-kidnapping,” Madeleine remarked. “We should all be careful. I’m staying with my boyfriend Henri tonight. I doubt they’d want to kidnap me too, but you never know.”  

    “Right. It has to be Juan. It wouldn’t be hard for him or anyone on his team to have figured out where I live. It’s so creepy to think that someone followed me home, and devised a plan to try to take me in the night. I guess that’s why they haven’t made the ransom call to your family yet. They wanted to wait to get me.”  

    “I feel so helpless,” said Madeleine. “What can we do?”  

    “We’re going to this party to meet Livia tonight. It’s the only thing we can do for now. What time should we meet?”  

    “Let’s go early in case Livia gets there early. The invite says 8pm, but we can try 7:45pm.”

    “Sure.”  

    “It’s going to be a big event with lots of important people. Anyone who’s anyone is going to be there. It turns out that some of my friends are going too. I can’t believe I didn’t get an invite without having to ask! Sophie would kill to come—” Madeleine stopped, realizing why they were going to the party in the first place. “I miss Sophie. I hope she’s okay.”  

    “Don’t worry. We’ll get to the bottom of this tonight,” Clémence reassured her, even though she wasn’t 100% confident.  

    “My parents are extremely stressed. Did the inspector tell you what he was able to find so far? He wouldn’t tell us anything.”  

    Clémence bit her lip. She was tempted to complain about Cyril’s incompetence and how they didn’t find out much so far, but she didn’t because Madeleine was in enough pain already.  

    “He’s doing his best,” Clémence replied. “Who knows, maybe he will find some DNA or clues or something from my house. Let’s try to stay optimistic.”  

    “Okay, well, I’ll see you at the party tonight. It’s not very fashionable to be early, but who cares about keeping up appearances at this point. Oh, and it’s a black tie event. Do you have something to wear?”  

    “Good question,” said Clémence.  

    “If you don’t, I’d be happy to lend you something. Although I’ve been photographed in most of my dresses. We’ll probably be photographed tonight as well.”  

    “Thanks, that’s very sweet. Maybe it’s best to buy something.” She thought about the Marcus Savin store. “I think I’ll head down to Avenue Montaigne and do some shopping to unwind. If I don’t find something, I’ll take you up on your offer.”  

    “Yes, shopping’s a great stress reliever. Oh, what about makeup and hair? Who’s doing it for you?”

    “I am.”  

    “Darling, it’s best to get a pro and I have a couple people coming by my house to do my hair and makeup tonight. Why don’t you come to my house before 6pm tonight so we can get our hair and makeup done together?”  

    “Sure,” said Clémence.  

CHAPTER 11
    Clémence didn’t have to go home and look inside her closet to know that she didn’t have anything for a black tie event. She hadn’t updated her wardrobe in the two years that she’d been gone, and the gowns she did own she had been photographed in as well. She understood Madeleine’s caution. If she wore one of them again, the tabloids would surely criticize her for recycling old dresses.

    As funny as it sounded, she needed to buy a new dress to avoid media attention. If she wore a decent dress, they’d feature her in a fashion or gossip blog or two, instead of ripping her apart for bad taste or wearing an out-of-style dress. To blend in meant having to look as good as the other guests. Like Madeleine, there were going to be well-known and well-respected people at this party, everyone