Code Red Lipstick (13 page)

“So this is actually a command, not an invite to see the great Allegra Knight?” Sara said, tittering. “I'm glad I didn't get the job after all. Sounds like a total drag when I can go out partying instead.”

Lyndon scowled at her and turned back to Jessica. “Miss Knight thought you'd prefer to have your own belongings around you. She also thought you'd be more comfortable with her. Hotels can be so impersonal and, well, distracting.”

He stared disapprovingly at Sara, who swayed and clutched Jessica's arm to stop herself from falling over. Then he took in Jessica's slouchy chocolate sweater, jeans and black boots. She wasn't wearing her AKSC uniform. She met his gaze. As if she cared what he thought.

“It's a huge honour that Miss Knight has invited you,” Lyndon insisted. “She rarely allows guests into Allegra Towers.”

“Probably because it's so dull,” Sara said loudly. “It sounds beyond lame, Jessica. Come back to my room and watch TV instead while I crack open the minibar.”

Jessica looked from Sara to Lyndon. She sensed danger, yet she couldn't walk away. Not if there was a chance she could find Dad tonight.

“Is there a problem?” Lyndon asked.

“Not at all. I'm, well… I guess I'm surprised. It's late and, you know, people will be worried if I don't go back to the hotel.”

“We've already reached Camille on her mobile and she's fine about it. You don't have anyone else here with you in Paris we need to speak to, do you?” Lyndon's tone was provocative. He wasn't going to accept a refusal.

“Of course not,” she said. “I'm thrilled to be invited. It's a huge honour, thanks.”

“No way!” Sara said. “Don't do it, Jessica! It'll be like a total snorefest.”

“Excuse me.” Lyndon brushed past. He took Jessica's handbag and returned to the limo, placing it in the boot.

Great. Now she didn't have her mobile close to hand.

Lyndon opened the passenger door and climbed in as the driver switched on the engine.

“You don't have to do this,” Sara said urgently. She was no longer slurring or swaying on her feet. In fact, she sounded totally sober.

“Yes I do,” Jessica said. “You wouldn't understand.”

Lyndon peered out and shot a filthy look at Sara. “Are you ready to go, Miss Cole? The driver's waiting.”

“Yes.” She walked to the door but Sara suddenly lunged at her. She flung her arms around her in a tight bear hug.

“Be very careful,” she hissed in her ear.

“What—?”

Sara pushed Jessica away before she could finish her sentence and handed her the flask. “Have a drink on me,” she said cheerily. “I insist, for old time's sake.”

Jessica hesitated. She undid the lid and took a sip. It was water, not alcohol.

Sara was pretending to be drunk. What was going on?

AKSC looked even more impressive by night. Spotlights lit up the white ten-storey building, accentuating its classic, elegant lines. Jessica clutched her bag tighter as Lyndon guided her through a side door and into a private elevator. Did he already know she was here to spy?

Stop freaking out.

All she had to do was act normal and he wouldn't suspect anything – the way she'd never guessed that there was more to Sara than met the eye. She seemed so shallow and catty and well, er, dumb. But was that all an act too? Could she have been the MI6 agent that Margaret had been trying to get embedded into AKSC all along? It'd explain why Sara had been so furious when Jessica landed the Teenosity job. Losing Allegra's contract had scuppered MI6's undercover operation. Sara had no way of legitimately getting inside AKSC HQ once Teenosity slipped through her fingers, but now Jessica had the perfect cover.

The elevator door pinged open at the top of Allegra Towers, making her jump. She stepped out and followed Lyndon down the corridor. The floor was expensively carpeted in cream wool and the walls were dotted with tasteful black and white photos of Allegra. The woman's vanity knew no bounds. She was absolutely everywhere.

Jessica's eyes rested on the only colour photo, which featured Allegra dripping with diamonds and wearing an off-the-shoulder aquamarine evening gown. She was surrounded by glamorous girls holding glasses of champagne. Allegra clutched a glass of orange juice and smiled enigmatically at the camera. Her eyes widened as she recognized the models in the photograph.

Tyler, Olinka, Jacey, Darice, Valeriya.

The famous five. They were all there. The photo looked familiar. She remembered Darice's slashed Versace dress.

“Miss Knight's particularly fond of this photograph,” Lyndon said, observing her interest.

“I've seen a similar photo of the supermodels online,” Jessica said slowly. “This must have been taken at Emerald's fiftieth anniversary ball last December.”

A look of surprise flickered across Lyndon's face. “Well spotted. Miss Knight doesn't normally enjoy public appearances, but this was one social event she didn't want to miss.”

“So why did she attend?”

“She
was Emerald's most famous supermodel. She modelled for the agency for more than ten years and landed over a dozen covers of
Vogue
.”

Interesting. “I had no idea she was an Emerald model too. Does she know the famous five well? I read they'd all quit modelling.”

Lyndon's eyes remained fixed on the photo. “Not at all. Miss Knight had the pleasure of meeting them for the first time that evening. They'd asked to be introduced to her, as she's such an icon.”

“Really?”

He guided her along the corridor before she could quiz him any further. He swiped open a door as if he were in a hotel.

“This is your suite. Miss Knight regrets she isn't able to welcome you in person, as she's retired for the night. She hopes you'll be comfortable here.”

“I'm sure I will,” she said, stepping inside.

It was huge – far bigger than her hotel room. The walls, carpets, bed, cushions and wardrobes were all white. There wasn't a touch of colour anywhere. She knew it was supposed to look chic and minimalist but instead it felt clinical and impersonal. Yet more black and white photos of Allegra were strategically placed around the room, giving the sense she was watching her at all times. Every surface had vases and vases of lilies and white roses.

She stared at them, distracted by the sudden reminder of her mum.

“If you need anything, don't hesitate to call,” Lyndon said. “Just pick up the phone and you'll go straight through to housekeeping. We have a private chef on call throughout the night and a maid who'll get anything else you want.”

“Wow. Twenty-four-hour room service. It's like being back in my hotel, except better, of course. It's beyond cool.” She smiled brightly. It was hard to keep up the act, but she had to. She was here for only one reason. Dad.

“There are a few more rules here, for security reasons,” Lyndon said. “The doors on this floor, including your own, will automatically lock in precisely five minutes. The lift will also be deactivated.”

She gazed at him open-mouthed. “Are you crazy? What if there's an emergency and I need to get out?”

“If there's a fire, an alarm will sound and the security system will be rebooted. This will unlock the doors and the lift. You can leave using the emergency stairs at the end of the corridor. I hope you understand this system is for everyone's safety. It prevents anyone from the labs ever coming up here.”

And it stopped anyone getting down to the labs, which looked like an interesting part of the building. Double blast.

“I wish you a good night and sweet dreams.” Lyndon smiled, but his eyes were hard.

“Thanks,” Jessica said.

“Oh, one final thing.” He paused in the doorway. “The doors will unlock at five thirty a.m. sharp. The breakfast room is the first door on your right. Miss Knight's suite is further along the corridor. She rarely eats breakfast so she'll catch up with you later in the day. She hopes you enjoy your stay and wishes you
bonne chance
at the shoot tomorrow.”

Jessica perched on the edge of the bed as he walked out. Sure enough, a few minutes later the door clicked. She tried the handle to make sure but she really had been locked inside. Who – apart from a paranoid control freak – locked their guests in their rooms at night? She was staying with the hostess from hell. She stared at her bags on the bed. She hated the thought of a stranger going through her things and packing them up. It was beyond creepy. Had someone from AKSC done the same thing to Sam?

She had a quick scout around the room but couldn't find any more paper swans: clues he'd stayed there. She texted Mattie to say she was tired after the shows and going to bed and switched off the iPhone. She whipped the stolen pass out of her bag and tried swiping it by the door sensor but it was useless. Either the pass had been disabled or, more likely, the assistant didn't have clearance to be in Allegra Towers. There had to be another way out of here. Sensors were stationed above the door, detecting when it opened and closed, and a smoke alarm was fixed in the centre of the ceiling.

That was it. She dug around in her bag and found the packet of ciggies and lighter she'd confiscated from Sara as well as the cool perfume bottle. She flicked open the lighter beneath the sensor. Immediately, the fire alarm screeched. She didn't have much time before security came to check up on her. The lock clicked. She pushed the door open and ran out. She'd already spotted the camera on the wall as she'd walked past. To her surprise, a single spray of perfume took it out. She'd half expected some of Nathan's gadgets to be fakes. A blob of foam appeared and expanded, covering the camera in seconds. She took out a second camera and darted back along the corridor. Just as she reached her door, the lift opened. She sprayed the lock and managed to light a cigarette and take a quick puff before someone banged on the door.

“Miss Cole? Is everything OK in there?”

“Yes, thanks!”

Lyndon strode in, red-faced and sweating. He looked like he'd been running.

She tried her best to look sheepish, dangling a cigarette between her fingers. She wasn't acting when she coughed. God, it tasted gross.

“I'm sorry,” she said, choking. “Is this because of me?” She waved the cigarette in the air.

“I should have explained earlier,” he said sharply. “Smoking isn't allowed anywhere in this building. The sensors in the fire alarm are very sensitive.”

He took the cigarette off her and carried it to the bathroom. She heard running water as he stubbed it out under the tap before returning.

“I'm sorry. It won't happen again. I am trying to give up, you know.”

His eyes darted around the room. Had he guessed she was up to something?

“Very well. Mistakes do happen. I'll wish you goodnight. Again.”

“Goodnight. I do hope I didn't wake up Allegra.”

“Indeed.” His tone was flat and gave nothing away.

Jessica sprang forward as the door shut. The foam had set and stopped the door from closing completely. The lock clicked repeatedly. Fingers crossed Lyndon hadn't noticed anything was wrong and that she hadn't activated another alarm somewhere else in the building. She waited for a few minutes before daring to go out again, armed with her perfume bottle, powder compact and the mini torch disguised as a lipstick. She might as well give them all a try. Hopefully, she'd remember how to use them.

As she ran along the corridor to the emergency exit, she noticed the two cameras were completely obscured by foam. She darted through the door and flicked on her lipstick torch. The building was creepy at night. This was risky. Security guards would probably be roaming about but she couldn't waste this chance to see if anything sinister was going on. She padded down the stairs, looking for a way out. She ran down at least a hundred stairs, but she still couldn't find a single door. It was strange but maybe people in the main building had another emergency staircase. When she reached the bottom, she clutched her side, panting. Going up would be even worse. She urged herself through the only door she'd come across. This had to be the ground floor.

Now she had to be even more careful. It was impossible to get her bearings in the dark so she followed the corridor for a few minutes, keeping close to the walls. For some reason, she couldn't see any cameras on this floor. Suddenly, she heard voices. They came from the end of the corridor.

Security guards.

Jessica turned around and ran. Nightmare! She hadn't discovered anything useful yet. She stopped. The door was supposed to be here. She'd turned left, right and left again. Or was it right and then left? She looked over her shoulder. She could hear footsteps now. Had someone worked out she'd disabled the alarm and was out of her room? She ran further down the corridor, trying the pass on one door after another, but it was still inactive. She kept going until she found herself in a dead end.

Damnit.

She ran back up the corridor but it was too late. The voices were almost upon her. She remembered the emerald ring: she could laser a door open. She swiped the security pass against the sensor as she wriggled the ring off her finger. The door clicked and opened. The pass had finally worked. She didn't need a gadget. She pushed the ring back on and darted inside. She pulled the door almost shut, leaving it open a crack. A flash of torchlight illuminated two giant shadows on the walls.

“Are you sure you left it down here?” a man said.

“I can't remember,” another answered.

He sounded nervous. The first man was probably more senior, she figured.

“We're wasting time. We've still got the west wing to check.”

Two pairs of legs walked briskly past. She caught her breath. The guards had machine guns. Allegra obviously had to protect Teenosity before its launch to prevent rival firms getting hold of it and trying to imitate the formula, but were machine guns necessary? She had the horrible feeling these guards might panic and open fire if she startled them. She had to find a better hiding place. Carefully, she pulled the door shut. She crawled backwards and looked around. She was in the lab. That was why the pass had worked. The microscopes shone eerily in the darkness. She could make out the outlines of the fume cupboards and crawled towards them. She tried to tug one open but it was locked.

The security guards' voices were getting louder again. They were coming back. She looked around frantically. The clean room was a possibility. Ducking down, she ran across the lab. The door was locked but it was no good anyway. She'd be a sitting target. If the guards turned on the lights, they'd see her through the window. There weren't any hiding places.

“Maybe I left it in here.” A voice boomed at the door.

They'd found her.

She had one last chance – the storeroom that Lyndon hadn't wanted her to see inside. She darted towards it and turned the door handle. It moved in her hand and she slipped in as the light flickered on. Footsteps pounded into the lab. She held her breath as she pressed her ear against the door.

“What's this?”

“Looks like lipstick.”

She felt in her pocket. Her lipstick torch must have slipped out as she'd crawled across the floor. Luckily, she'd switched if off so they couldn't see its hidden function.

“We should probably raise the alarm,” the man said.

“Do you think? This is a beauty company, for God's sake. There's bound to be lipsticks everywhere. A lab assistant probably dropped it.”

“I'm sure it wasn't here earlier.”

“Can't say I noticed. Look, what's the point of raising the alarm? It doesn't look like anything's missing. We're off in ten minutes. If we report it, we'll be here for another three hours. We'll have to search the whole building from top to bottom because of a stupid lipstick.”