Harbored deep inside the old building, Charlie Lanier’s office was larger than Claire imagined, a continuation of vintage brick, the furnishings tasteful: mahogany, leather, and Japanese art. Void of windows, the lighting had been well designed. Under a small spotlight and suspended from the ceiling by a thin, shiny tube, a water feature gurgled softly over copper and polished stones. But if the purpose of the fountain was relaxation, Claire wasn’t feeling it.
Harbored deep inside the From the far side of the large, ornate desk, Charlie openly studied her. Claire wondered if he used the same process to assess the value of items he offered in his shop. The woman named Jasmine retreated into another room in the back corner of the office. A few minutes later she reappeared with a tray that h
