Chapter 427: Two-Way Street

I was surprised, then, when Vivian didn't stop at the front door after all but kept going, leading me past the exit and toward the other side of the grand main entry. She opened a tall, elaborate doorway and stepped through, leaving it open for me to follow and I found myself, a moment later, standing on thick, dark carpeting in the midst of a huge study with a roaring fire in the massive fireplace. Books lined the walls, more library than office, though the giant leather wingbacks and the tall portrait of a handsome man over the mantel told me this had to be Ranier's room once upon a time.

Vivian was clearly using it as her own space, with files and recent documentation piled on the desk next to what looked like one of her handbags. She hadn't redecorated, the dark interior more masculine than her typical off white designs, so her father still meant something to her, didn't he? I guess I was getting good at this detective thing after all.