‘Why do you look so happy?’
Jodi laughed knowingly. ‘Oh, just because for once in our friendship it isyouwho is thinking too literal and negative, andmewho actually sees the big picture. Me who is keeping a positive mind. Me who’s solved your little clue.’
Beth grimaced impatiently, wishing that Jodi would just get on with it. ‘Tell me then. Spit it out, what am I missing?’
‘Fine. But you need to promise me something.’
‘Of course, anything.’
Her friend nodded, apparently satisfied. ‘I’m going to tell you what I think and in turn, you are going to take me with you on the hunt. OK?’
Beth nodded. ‘Whatever, yes, fine. Now stop drawing it out and just tell me, for goodness’ sake.’
‘OK, OK, don’t get your knickers in a twist. So I am thinking that if your clue is directing you to a boat, and you’re looking for boats in Manhattan, you don’t have to look any further than your own neighbourhood – this weekend, actually.’
Beth tried hard to figure out what her friend was talking about but drew a blank. Of course, Lower Manhattan was home to the harbour and there were docks and waterfront galore, but that seemed almost too simple.
‘Maybe you aren’t looking for a boat to be sailing down a street in Manhattan to solve this clue, but you are looking for a sailboat. Possibly one namedAngelina. And while that might sound like a long shot, I’m willing to bet that there might just be a boat of that name at the Manhattan Sailing Exhibition, conveniently scheduled for this very weekend. In Lower Manhattan, like I said.’ With that admission Jodi settled back into her work as if unaffected by the look of sheer, unadulterated joy on her friend’s face.
‘Oh, wow!’ Beth exclaimed, immediately grabbing her iPhone and doing a search for the Sailing Exhibition. ‘I would have never suspected that – I would have never known about this at all. Which begs the question: how didyouknow?’
‘What – are you saying I’m not a classy enough broad to know about high-brow things like sailing? Well, you’re probably right,’ she laughed. Then: ‘It’s Trevor, the guy I told you about before – the one I’m seeing – he’s into sailing. And he’s thinking about buying a boat. That’s why he got tickets and he and I are going this weekend.’
Beth was focused on her phone, but looked up at Jodi’s words. ‘Ah, no. Do you need tickets to get in? How can I get one? Maybe I can buy them online?’
Jodi waved her hand, dismissing Beth’s suggestion. ‘No, they’ve been sold out for ages. Apparently, this is a big deal to the Park Avenue community. I think Trevor has had his for a while, but I’ll ask him to see about getting a pass for you too.’
Happy and relieved, Beth reflected on her luck. How perfect that Jodi had not only figured out this clue, at least pointing her in the right direction, but also that she had a ready-made connection that would enable Beth to get a ticket to the event itself.
Which made Beth wonder, how would she have figured out this part of the treasure hunt if she had been unable to get a ticket to the Sailing Exhibition? Obviously, whoever was behind this movie-themed hunt had yet to reveal another part of the clue besides the Tiffany box. The mastermind must surely have had a trick up his sleeve to get her to the exhibition.
She just had to wait and see how.
***
That evening, after work, Beth decided that she had too much nervous energy to sit around at home so she threw on her comfy boots and grabbed Brinkley’s leash. The clues and the hunt were consuming her thoughts, even more so now that she guessed there was nothing she could do except wait and wonder if the boat exhibition was the right direction.
‘Come on, boy, let’s go for a walk. I need to clear my head.’
The little dog was only too happy to oblige and, reaching the lobby, Beth waved a brief hello to Billy, deciding to tell him where she was off to in the dark, just in case.
‘Oh, Beth, hello.’ Billy blushed from ear to ear, and ran a hand through his hair. ‘I was just…’ His voice trailed off and Beth noticed that he appeared flustered, as if she’d interrupted something.
She glanced briefly over the desk. It looked as though he was in the middle of wrapping something, a small package of sorts. But why did he look almost guilty?
‘We’re off out for a walk. Shouldn’t be more than half an hour or so,’ she told him casually, though she was curious as to why the typically unflappable concierge seemed so ruffled.
‘No problem. Enjoy.’
‘I will.’ Beth looked at him strangely as she exited the building. There seemed to be lots of strange goings-on with the men she knew these days.
Oh, well, whatever Billy was up to was clearly none of her business.
Heading out onto the street, she breathed in the night air. All the noise and bustle of the day had left the night in a tired and quiet calm. Brinkley looked right and left and then happily chose his path, walking towards City Hall Park. Beth was happy to let the pooch lead the way; it gave her one less thing to think about.
Thinking back again to Ryan and whether he might be the one behind the treasure hunt, Beth had to admit that Jodi was right about what she’d said the other night – deep down she knew that there was an attraction between them and that she should leave well alone, especially since she was not in the position to be anything more than a friend, and Ryan didn’t have that restriction or limitation.
And then, there was Danny. Her Danny. The man that to all intents and purposes was her life partner, her soul mate, the person she had built a life with.
