Honeymoon

Chapter 87

“HI, CAN I help you?”

Through her sunglasses, Nora stared at the cheerful young woman sitting behind the desk: mid-twenties, intelligent eyes. Overqualified for this job.

“Yes, I’m here to see Craig Reynolds. Is he in?”

She watched as the young woman hesitated ever so slightly. She has to be in on the charade. Not a bad actress, really.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Reynolds isn’t here right now.”

Nora glanced at her watch. “Is he at lunch? Maybe at Amalfi’s?”

“Actually, he’s traveling today.”

“Do you know when he’s expected back?”

“Monday, I believe,” said the young woman. “Did you have an appointment to see him? Would you like to set one up?”

“No. Craig said I should just drop by. Maybe you can help me, though. I’m looking to get a copy of an insurance policy.”

There was that slight hesitation again, a little dart of the eyes. Otherwise, the girl was excellent in her role.

“Is it your policy?” she asked.

“No, but I’m the beneficiary.”

“I see.” The young woman shook her head. “Unfortunately, I’m only able to give out a copy to the actual policyholder.”

Nora glanced down at the nameplate on the desk. “Molly, is it?”

“Yes.”

“Well, you see, Molly, that’s going to be a little difficult in this case. Reason being, the actual policyholder is dead.”

“Oh, God, I’m sorry.”

“Yes, I am, too. He was my fiancé.”

A look of recognition came over Molly’s face. “You’re Ms. Sinclair, aren’t you?”

“How did you know?”

Molly glanced over her shoulder as if to underscore the smallness of the office. “It’s just a two-person operation here. So I’m familiar with your case. Again, I’m terribly sorry.”

Nora removed her sunglasses and stared directly into Molly’s eyes. “I suppose it wouldn’t be a problem, then, to give me a copy of the policy, right?”

Molly blinked a couple of times before breaking into a smile. “Of course not. Let me see if I can locate it back in Mr. Reynolds’s office.”

As she got up and headed into a back room, Nora glanced around. It was a small office and it had all the appearances of being legitimate. There were files lying about and printed pamphlets. Still, there was something not quite right. Namely, Molly. For someone who purported to know everything going on in the office, she was winging it a little too much.

Just then she returned from the back office… empty-handed, shaking her head.

“I apologize, Ms. Sinclair, I can’t seem to find the policy,” she said.

Nora tapped her forehead. “You know what? I just realized something. Craig told me it was up at the home office in Hartford.”

“He did? Oh, well, that’s where it must be.”

She studied Molly for a second. The young woman had winged it one too many times. Apparently her “boss” had neglected to tell her that the home office for Centennial One Life Insurance was supposed to be in Chicago.

Nora slid her sunglasses back on. “In that case, why don’t I wait until Monday, when Craig gets back.”

“I’ll tell him you stopped by, though, okay?”

I’m sure you will, Molly.

Nora returned to her car and immediately took out her cell phone. The ripple effect O’Hara was having on her life suddenly felt more like an undertow. Nora pressed 2 on her speed dial. That’s what it was all about from here on out. Speed. She had to work fast and tie up all the loose ends.

“Hello?”

“Great news, honey,” she said.

“You got out of it?”

“I did. So I’m all yours this weekend.”

“Fantastic!” said Jeffrey. “I’m dying to see you.”