Letting him lead her, she vaguely wondered if she was getting led into a trap. For such a sharp detective, he was certainly letting his attention wander. Granted, to her, but from her observations of him, he seemed much too dedicated to the job for distractions. His senses didn’t seem too dull, especially when it came to her. Maybe that’s just how he wants it. Oh bother.
The thief mentally shook her head at herself. This was no time to be hypersensitive. She had her move planned out and there was no room for doubt at this point. Trap or suspicion, Jeanne would have to move forward.
Speaking of moving forward.. her attention was caught by the confident smile of one of her more handsome suitors that was directed at her. The wealthy heir of a hotel chain, he certainly looked it in his designer suit. With his looks and wallet, women flocked to him. The blonde was not one of them but she had caught the attention of the playboy all the same. He had loads of pride and with that look he was giving her, it wouldn’t be hard to convince him to help her — without his knowing, of course. A strong candidate to be her cover.
Jeanne gave the heir a demure smile back before turning to answer Hakuba. She wondered if he’d noticed, as she noted his scanning of the crowd before. I wonder if it’d bother him. Not that I care..
The same smile on her face still, she replied,“Though I do love a good wine, champagne will do nicely for now. And what is your poison of choice, detective?”
Besides your choice of company tonight, that is.
“Scotch, actually,” Hakuba answered the question with honesty, offering the champagne to her before taking one for himself. “Not as fitting for a party, I suppose, but I’ve acquired quite a taste for it…”
Speaking of taste, the detective then directed his gaze to the man that Jeanne had wondered about moments before, arcing a brow in amusement. “Mm, is he someone that you’re interested in?” he asked, turning his gaze back to the young woman on his arm. Yes, he had noticed, but if it bothered him, he didn’t let it show. “He’s quite a good host in the right situations…”
Yes, Hakuba had encountered that particular socialite before. And he was as egotistical and easily played as could be expected. The detective knew this quite well.
“I could introduce you to him, if you’d like.” A faint, teasing smirk. How would she take this play?