Bitty conceded that point with a tip of her head to the side.
“I’m sorry,” I said, feeling like I’d suddenly landed on a different planet. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”
Actually, I did have a sneaking suspicion.
“No need to play coy,” Leona said as she tucked her feet up on the couch and took another sip of her martini. “The building’s all abuzz with the news of your steamy affairs with Wyatt the stud muffin and hot stuff Bodie.”
My suspicion was well-founded, but I was oh-so-wishing I’d never come to Bitty’s apartment.
I didn’t know if I should react first to Leona’s use of the phrasestud muffinor to the erroneous nature of the so-called news.
In the end, I went with the latter.
“There’s no steamy affair. With any guy.”
Leona brushed off my denial. “Oh, don’t worry, darling. I get it. You don’t want people to know you’re sleeping with your boss.”
“Boss?” Where did she get that idea? “Wyatt is definitely not my boss.”
“But the two of you are investigating Freddie’s murder,” Bitty said, making herself comfortable in one of two matching armchairs. She gestured for me to take the vacant one.
I remained standing. “Not in any official capacity. And, if anything, Wyatt works for me.”
Bitty appeared confused. “But then why is his name on the business card?” She picked up one of the offending cards from the coffee table and held it up for me to see.
“How did you get that?” I asked.
Bitty shrugged and dropped the card back on the coffee table before sipping from her martini glass. “Agnes gave it to me.”
I stifled a groan. Just how many cards had I dropped out on the front steps? Whatever the number, it was clearly too many.
Leona leaned toward me. “So, you’re having a little trouble in the love department?”
“What?” I sputtered. “No!”
She waved a bejeweled hand in the air. “It’s all right, dear. Sometimes I forget that not everyone is a starlet. I had to fend off gorgeous men in my youth. Still do.” She let out a tinkling laugh.
Bitty sat forward in her seat. “We can help you. Between us we must have over a century’s experience with men.”
Leona nodded. “I havesomuch experience.” She almost purred the words.
I fought off a shudder. “I really don’t need help with my love life.” I decided it was time to get the conversation back on track, but before I could speak again, Bitty beat me to it.
“You should really start with your appearance,” she said, appraising me from her seat. “I always look to my dear cousin PrincessDiana for inspiration. Now, there’s a woman who never looked anything other than elegant.”
“No need to look beyond the grave for guidance when I’m right here,” Leona cut in, a sharp edge to her voice.
“Pearls.” Bitty stood up and set her drink on the coffee table, acting as if she hadn’t heard Leona. “A string of pearls always elevates an outfit and adds sophistication.”
“I don’t even own any pearls,” I said out loud, while on the inside I shouted,How did I get on this roller coaster, and how do I get off?
“Fortunately, I do.” Bitty made her way across the living area. “I’ve got the real deal and a set of fake ones. I can lend you the fake ones.” She disappeared into her bedroom before I could stop her.
I sank down into the nearest armchair, my head spinning.
Leona downed the last of her drink before fixing her glassy eyes on me. “Now, if you need some tips for the bedroom…”
I shot back to my feet. “No!” I lowered the volume of my voice a notch. “No, thank you.”
