Golden Lies - Barbara Freethy [71]
"What was your father doing in Chinatown?"
"The police are continuing their investigation," she replied. This wasn't so bad. A lifetime of watching her parents handle reporters had prepared her for this moment. She hadn't realized just how well prepared she was until now. "Thank you for your concern. As soon as we know more, we'll be sure to inform you."
"Is it true that your father went to see a woman in Chinatown?"
The question pierced Page's confidence like a pin to a balloon. Jasmine? They knew about Jasmine? Oh, God. What about Alyssa? Did they know about her, too? She had to say something to head them off.
"No further comment," Martin Bennett said, appearing at her side. "The Hathaways will be holding a press conference later today."
Paige felt Martin's strong grip on her arm as he pulled her through the crowd of reporters and into the hospital lobby. They didn't stop walking until they were on the elevator, and even then he put a finger to his lips, motioning for her to be silent until they were alone. They got off at the fourth floor, and she yanked her arm out of his grip.
"Why on earth did you do that?" she demanded.
"Do what? I saved you from saying the wrong thing. You know you're not supposed to talk to reporters. What were you thinking?"
"That I could handle the situation," she snapped. "Which I was."
"No, you weren't. They were leading you for a fall, and you were going right along. You should have done what I did, told them there will be a press conference forthcoming and any further questions should be directed to me as the spokesperson for Hathaway's in this time of crisis. That's the way we do things. You know that."
She stared at him in amazement. He was talking to her like a child. "I'm a Hathaway, Martin. I know how to handle myself and the press. And if I want to speak on behalf of the store or my family, I will. I don't care if you're the designated spokesperson or not."
"Your mother won't feel the same way."
"My mother isn't here."
"No, she's with your father, talking to him instead of the media, which is where you should be."
"And where I was going." She saw the anger in his eyes but didn't understand it. "What are you mad about, anyway? I'm the one who has the right to be annoyed. You came in and swooped me away like an eagle snatching an unsuspecting bird."
"You are an unsuspecting bird," he said as he ran his hand through his hair in obvious frustration. "Where do you think those questions were going, Paige? Someone has obviously been following the police investigation. They know by now that the police went to see Jasmine Chen. Curiosity as to how a simple Chinese woman could be connected to David Hathaway was sure to follow."
"And we should have an answer ready. 'No comment' will only fuel the curiosity."
"The answer is coming from your mother. We've already planned a press conference for early this evening. That's why the media are outside right now."
"No one told me that."
"I tried calling you earlier, but your message machine was on at home, and you didn't pick up your cell phone. Where have you been?"
She felt a slight surge of guilt at the memory of her delicious lunch. "I've been doing some research of my own about the dragon."
"With Riley McAllister? What are you doing with him, Paige? He's not on our side. He's using you."
"And I'm using him. We both want to get the dragon back. We both want to know who is responsible for the attack on my father and who might have the dragon now. Riley is a security expert. He has connections. He can get information I can't."
"Like what?"
"Like he's the one who figured out Jasmine's daughter, Alyssa, is my sister," she said.
Martin's jaw tensed. He cast a quick look around them to make sure they were alone. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"My father's illegitimate daughter."
"Damn," Martin frowned, then shook his head. "Now McAllister has ammunition to blackmail you."
She was shocked