The company car smoothly stops in front of us, making the debate moot. We both go to open the door at the same time. Beau, of the freakishly long arms, grabs the handle first.
You win this time, you attractive relic.
“Hi, Tom. Can we please have Christmas music? I have to get this one in the mood before we get to our stop.”
“Of course.” He turns the radio to a station that already has a steady stream of Christmas music playing.
“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” comes on. “Perfect.”
Beau gets into the car and leans in to me. “For the record, I never need to be put in the mood.” His voice takes on a new tone. One that sounds like a smooth glass of bourbon with a bit of a bite, on a porch swing, looking at a sunset with no buildings in sight. And fireflies floating around, probably.
And that damned image of him, shirtless and in a cowboy hat, pops up again.
After a pause for me to take in the words and clear my throat, he follows up with, “For Christmas, of course. I’m always in the mood for Christmas.”
Old MacDonald has jokes. I smile, not verbally admitting that I was thinking exactly what he thinks I was thinking.
“Are you going to tell me where you’re taking me?” Beau asks.
“Nah. There’s no fun in that. Surprises and all that.”
“Is the surprise murder?”
“If it is, I promise it’ll be Christmas themed.”
“Ah. Mrs. Claus in the sleigh with a sharpened candy cane?”
“More like unappreciated elf in the workshop with the hammer.”
Tom pulls up in front of the New York Hall of Science before we can think of any more Christmas murders.
I get my phone out as we walk to the front of the concrete-and-glass building. The exterior doesn’t give away any of the Christmas cheer that can be found inside this particular building around the holidays.
“This building is closed.Arewe going to commit a crime?” He doesn’t sound as jovial now.
“Not tonight. I have to test how good your general physical fitness and quick thinking under pressure are before I let you in on one of our famous Gupta capers.” I send a text and a few minutes later a side door opens. “Merry almost Christmas, Sam.” I give the Black man a hug.
“Merry almost Christmas, Sonia.” He breaks away from the hug and beckons us into the building. “I’ve got you all set up.”
“Perfect. Here’s a little token of Loot’s appreciation.” I pull a gift out of my tote.
Sam takes the bag. “You never have to, but I’m not turning down one of your thoughtful gifts. Take as much time as you need. I’ve got some work to finish in my office, so just call when you’re done and I’ll close up.” Sam leaves us just inside the building and I tuck my hand in Beau’s arm again.
“Are you ready forthemost exciting event in the city?” I bounce up and down on my toes as we stop right in front of a double door.
“Sure.” But he doesn’t sound as confident as that word would suggest.
“Then let’s go.” We each open one of the double doors and sweep into the room.
Beau freezes just inside and starts laughing. “What in the world?”
I laugh with him. I’ve seen every year’s exhibit since I was five. I still get excited every time I walk through these doors. I don’t remember much from the earlier exhibits, except being amazed and hungry. Exactly how Christmas should feel and look.
“It’s the biggest gingerbread village in the world!” I twirl around the space next to the display. The bright colors of the candy and the blinking lights swirl in my vision, and the smell of gingerbread fills my nose, bringing comfort and more than a little hunger. “A chef makes it over the year and then assembles it here for the holidays. Sam is the best. He lets me see the village during off hours and sets me up to design my own for Loot’s lobby.”
“This is pretty cool,” he admits, kneeling to look at the individual buildings. “An eggnog distillery...a candy cane factory...a Christmas bookstore. Many, many toy stores.”
I take my own look at the buildings, admiring the design for this year. I keep thinking that it’ll get boring and I’ll get over it, but I haven’t. Instead, there’s something comforting about the fact that I can return to it every year and it stays constant. Dependable.
