Most Wanted

23

THE CAVERNOUS MAIN FLOOR OF SAKS WAS JAM-PACKED and noisy at lunch hour. Nell Benson strolled past the cosmetics displays, stopping occasionally to spray perfume across her wrist as she looked in every direction. Her senses were sharp, but they weren’t doing her much good in this chaotic place. Vast flower displays and mirrored partitions impeded her view. Sound floated upward, became muddy, and disappeared into the vine-covered ceiling as into the dome of a cathedral. Still, she was relatively confident she wasn’t being followed.

She took the lumbering wooden elevator to the fourth floor. Here everything was bright and open. She was certain now she was alone. Even so, she walked around, fingering a garment now and then, looking over her shoulder discreetly. Best to be careful. A saleslady, noting her expensive bag and the diamonds weighing down her hand, stepped forward and asked if she needed help.

“Just looking,” Nell said. After a moment she headed for the ladies’ room.

The waiting area smelled bad, so she raised her perfumed wrist to her nose. A young mother sat on the upholstered bench by the pay telephone, nursing her baby. Nell looked at her, frowned, and disappeared into a stall for a while. When she came back, the mother was still there. Nell walked casually over to the makeup mirror and opened her bag, taking her time choosing a lipstick shade. She watched in the mirror as the mother closed her blouse, tucked her baby back into the stroller, and left.

When the waiting area was empty, Nell went over to the pay phone. She dug around in the bottom of her bag, the blinking green light of her cell phone providing just enough illumination to help her find a quarter. The plastic receiver was greasy in her hand as she dropped the quarter into the slot. God knew what you could catch from these things, but at least they still took change. She’d had a moment of fear about that in the elevator. When she got the dial tone, she punched in the number.

“Hello?” Rommie answered.

“It’s Nell.”

“Well, hello. What’s this number you’re calling from? I don’t recognize it.”

“It’s a pay phone.”

“A pay phone?” He sighed. “You watch too many spy movies.”

“I’m just being careful. People could draw conclusions from our friendship.”

“What’s wrong with us being friends? I was friends with Jed, I’m friends with you. Big deal. Besides, I’m seeing Bernadette. Everybody knows that.”

“Still, in a situation like this, with the will getting probated and all, appearances matter.”

“So I take it that’s why you haven’t returned my calls?”

“Don’t be so touchy. I called you yesterday. About that prosecutor, remember? The one who’s harassing Amanda? And I’m calling you now.”

“I called you three times last night to see how you were doing. It’s one o’clock in the afternoon, and this is the first you get back to me? I’ve been worried about you.”

“Come on, now,” she coaxed, a honeyed note in her husky voice. “Be nice, Rom. I don’t want to fight with you. If I haven’t called sooner, it’s only because I was at the hospital with Amanda. Do you have any idea how difficult this is for me, watching what she’s going through? Can you even imagine?”

He was quiet momentarily. “No, I can’t. But you know I’ve done everything in my power-”

“Of course. I know that, and I’m grateful, I really am. But tell me again, what are you doing to protect her now, right this minute?”

“You hired Bill Flanagan like I told you, right?”

“Oh, yes. He showed up this morning. To say I wasn’t impressed is the understatement of the year. He reeks of gin! Reminds me of my father. There’s nothing I hate more than a broken-down old wino.”

“The guy hits the bottle, I’ll grant you that. But he’s one tough son of a bitch. Nobody gets past him.”

“I’m taking your word on him.”

“You won’t be sorry.”

“But is one person even enough? I mean, Amanda saw the whole thing. She could testify. That animal is going to come after her, I know it.”

“Is she awake? Has she said anything?”

“She seemed better a little while ago when I left.”

“That’s good. That’s a relief.”

“But I want her left alone. And I’m afraid that prosecutor is going to come back today.”

“I wouldn’t count on it. They’re busy doing other stuff.”

“Well, if she does, I don’t see how I can keep her away from Amanda.”

“Like I said, nobody gets past Wild Bill.” He paused. “Look, don’t worry. You’re worrying too much.”

“You really think so?”

“Yes. Amanda will be fine. I’ll come over there and guard her myself if I have to. And as for Melanie Vargas, look, if you really feel Amanda’s not well enough to talk, she’ll have to accept that.”

“I don’t know. She doesn’t strike me as the type to just roll over.”

“Don’t worry. I have it under control.”

She sighed. “I guess I should go back to the hospital to keep an eye on things.”

“That’s not necessary. Flanagan is there.”

“Where else do I have to go? I took care of all the funeral arrangements yesterday.”

“Where are you now?”

“At Saks.”

“You went all the way to Saks just to use a pay phone? Man, you are under stress!”

“I wasn’t about to use one on the street. Besides, I always feel better here. It’s a very calming atmosphere.”

“That’s so you, Nell. No problem in life a little shopping can’t cure.” He laughed.

“I suppose, since I’m here, I could find Amanda something to wear to the funeral.”

“Really? She’s well enough to go?”

“We’ll see. I’m hoping anyway. I can only imagine how much she’ll resent me if I don’t find a way to get her there. Years of therapy.”

“Kids.”

“Tell me about it.”

“Okay, so do your shopping, and then I’ll come over and we’ll have an early dinner, order in room service or something. You shouldn’t be alone right now. What’s the name of that place you’re staying?”