Honeymoon

Chapter 33

I RANG SUSAN right after getting back into the car. My initial two encounters with Nora merited a report back to the boss.

“Is she as pretty in person?”

“That’s what you want to know first?”

“Absolutely,” said Susan. “This girl can’t be doing what she might be doing without being a knockout. So, is she?”

“Is there a way to answer that while still sounding professional?”

“Yes. It’s called being honest.”

“Then, yeah,” I said. “Nora Sinclair is a very attractive woman. Stunning wouldn’t be too much of a reach.”

“You pig.”

I laughed.

“What’s your sense from talking to her?” she asked.

“Too early to tell. She’s either got nothing to hide or is a natural-born liar.”

“I’m going to put ten bucks on the latter.”

“We’ll see if that’s a good bet,” I said.

“With you on it, I’m sure we will.”

“You know, if you prop me up any more, I’m going to hit my head on the ceiling.”

“That, or actually come through for me.”

“Oh, I see. The guidebook says to play into my confidence.”

“Trust me, there’s no guidebook on how to handle you,” she said. “Where are you now?”

“Outside the late Connor Brown’s home.”

“Did you already do the follow-up?”

“Yeah.”

“How long did it take for her to see you?”

“Within minutes.”

“Mets or Yankees?”

“Mets,” I said. “Steinbrenner’s done trading for the year. At least until the pennant stretch.”

“Would she have actually known that?”

“No. But you can never be too careful.”

“Amen,” said Susan. “Did she believe you?”

“I’m pretty sure.”

“Good. See, I knew you were the right guy for the job.”

“Ouch.”

“What?”

“That was my head hitting the ceiling.”

“Let me know what happens next.”

“You got it, boss.”

“Don’t be patronizing.”

“Won’t happen again, boss.”

Susan hung up on me.