But Beth was already shaking her head; she knew for sure that she had never once discussed books with Ryan – maybe briefly with Billy. She loved reading, certainly, but literary knowledge was much more Danny’s domain. While he often described books as being akin to movies being played out in the reader’s mind, for Beth, seeing the characters and locations onscreen, along with the accompanying music to manipulate her emotions, was a far better experience and, perhaps more importantly, one to be shared.
Sitting at home on the sofa, tucked up in a blanket with Bridie, enjoying their mutual passion for the classics was one of her earliest and most enduring memories of her grandmother.
But more to the point, she knew she had never read the particular book Jodi had mentioned.
‘No, the answer isn’t a book, I’m sure of it. All of the clues so far have been taken from movies:Romancing the Stone,The Seven Year Itch,Serendipity,Breakfast at Tiffany’s.I doubt the theme would change this far into the hunt.’
Jodi nodded and went back to looking at her phone. ‘There are movie variations on the quote too, inThe MatrixandV for Vendetta.’
At this Beth barked a laugh. ‘I don’t think so. Anyway, all the films involved so far have been set or shot here in the city. Neither of those has any New York connection.’
‘Ghostbustersthen?’ offered Jodi lamely.
‘When was something like that said inGhostbusters?’ Beth asked, dubious.
Jodi just shrugged and rubbed her eyes. ‘I have no idea. Google just provides a bunch of crap – I don’t think there is a connection – whoever programmes these search engines needs to be fired. What about the red marble, then? What do you think that means? Man, I need a drink.’
‘I don’t know. This is a tough one. None of it makes sense. But that’s a good idea. After the day I’ve had I thinkIneed a drink now too. Let’s go to the Boathouse.’
Jodi smiled. ‘Sounds good to me. The bourbon I had earlier is wearing off.’
‘Lush.’
The two rounded the path towards the popular Central Park eatery, and settled into a table on the busy outdoor drinks patio adjoining the main restaurant, directly alongside the lake. It was cold but the restaurant had helpfully provided cosy blankets for patrons to bundle up against the winter chill.
A waitress took their drinks order – another bourbon and Coke for Jodi, and a hot chocolate for Beth – and the two sat back in their seats, enjoying the peace and stillness of the lake, in the twilight of the day. Earlier on, it had looked like snow was threatening, but Beth could no longer see the sky to ascertain whether or not it was on the way. She hoped not.
Snow in Central Park at Christmastime had always been one of her favourite things about this city, but it had always symbolised magic and romance. None of which she was feeling just then.
‘Roll on summer,’ Jodi grumbled, draping the blanket around her shoulders ‘This winter’s been murder; it’s like Mother Nature is trying to kill us off. ’Course, the tourists love this winter wonderland stuff. Ugh, try living here.’
Beth nodded, and looked out over the lake towards the Bethesda Fountain just visible on the opposite end from where they were sitting. The fountain, dominated by a bronze eight-foot-high winged statue at its middle, The Angel of the Waters, was a famous Central Park landmark.
In the warm summer months, the imposing fountain was a beautiful display of water, but just then it was frozen, a solid artistic ice sculpture right in the centre of the park.
The waitress returned and put the drinks down in front of the two women and Jodi wasted no time in taking a large swallow of hers.
‘Man, that tastes good.’ She sat in silence for a moment and turned to Beth. ‘So, tell me the truth,doyou think Ryan is behind this?’
Beth couldn’t help but blush. She hadn’t yet confessed to Jodi Danny’s revelation about Billy. It was all a bit embarrassing, to be honest, and truth be told, she really hoped itwasRyan behind the treasure hunt rather than the Scotsman. ‘I don’t know,’ she replied honestly. ‘I think that yes, there seems to be some correlation in the clues to some of the conversations we’ve had, and I suppose he has been sort of… wooing me for a while.’
‘And your head is turned too, I can see that,’ said Jodi, but Beth noticed that there was no judgement in her voice now.
She shrugged. ‘Maybe just a little. But I don’t know, it’s a lot to think about at the moment. As I said, I just have a feeling that this adventure might prove important – one way or another. I need to play this out first before I figure out what to do with what else is going on in my life.’ She cast her eyes down to her steaming mug, suddenly feeling weary. ‘But, if it’s OK, I don’t want to talk about all this any more. Let’s change the subject.’
One thing at a time, she thought, hoping Jodi wouldn’t press the issue. Thankfully, after several seconds of silence, her friend spoke again.
‘So like I was saying. I’m soooo over this cold – I need to get Trevor to whisk me off to Barbados or something,’ her friend babbled. ‘Mmm, a frolic in Caribbean waters sounds like heaven, just me and him splashing around like teenagers.’
Beth, who had just taken a sip of her hot chocolate, suddenly stopped mid-drink. She held the warm liquid in her mouth for a moment, realizing that Jodi had just stirred a memory of something. Gulping loudly she turned to stare at her friend with a look on her face that was part enlightenment, part confusion. It was not lost on the other woman.
‘Beth? You OK? Something go down the wrong way?’ Jodi reached forward and slapped her hard on the back, in case she was choking.
‘No, no, it’s not that,’ Beth croaked. ‘It’s something else. What you just said.’
Jodi’s gaze widened in confusion. ‘What I just said? About getting Trevor to take me to the—’
‘No, no, not that. About splashing around in the water.’
