Honeymoon

Chapter 49

IT WAS THE NEED for closure that had Nora back in Briarcliff Manor a couple of days later. Despite Connor’s sister’s offering her the use of the house for as long as she wished, Nora wanted to move on. Actually, she hoped never to see the bitch from California again.

The offer she was going to take Elizabeth Brown up on was possession of the furniture. All 11,000 square feet of it. As the interior decorator, Nora knew what everything cost—and everything cost a lot. A small fortune, really. One she was all too pleased to pocket in the name of assuaging Lizzie’s guilt, or whatever it was.

All she needed was a little help.

“Estate Treasures, can I help you?”

“Hi, it’s Nora Sinclair calling. Is Harriet there?”

“Sure, Nora, hold on a second.”

Nora switched ears with her cell phone. She was in the backseat of the Town Car that was taking her out to Connor’s house.

Harriet got on the line. “Well, if it isn’t my favorite decorator.”

“I bet you say that to every decorator.”

“As a matter of fact, I do. And wouldn’t you know, they all believe me. So how’s business, Nora?”

“Pretty good. That’s why I’m calling.”

“So when can I expect you here in the shop?”

“Actually, that’s going to be my question to you, Harriet. I need you to make a house call.”

“Oy. Where am I going? New York City, I hope. Nora? Talk to me.”

“Briarcliff Manor. A client of mine recently passed away.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“So was I,” said Nora calmly. “Anyway, I was asked to deal with his furnishings on behalf of the estate.”

“You want to consign them?”

“That’s what I was thinking.”

“A house call, huh? How many rooms are we talking about?”

“Twenty-six.”

“Oy.”

“I know. That’s why I called you. No one could do a better job on this than you.”

“I bet you say that to all your suppliers.”

“And wouldn’t you know, they all believe me,” said Nora.

Nora took a few minutes to discuss some of the furniture and a date for when Harriet could come and look at it. By the time she said good-bye her Town Car was pulling into Connor’s driveway.

As the driver grabbed her suitcase, she got out and headed for the front door. That’s when she saw the note from Craig Reynolds.

Please call me ASAP.