‘I so hope we can find something in this list,’ Holly said. ‘At least something that ties in with what we know so far.’
‘Which is … ?’
‘Well,’ Holly began. ‘Besides having attended one of your boss’s charity benefits, there’s a strong possibility she’s an artist and maybe a writer too. And perhaps has been affected somehow by breast cancer. She’s married, with children, possibly has a penchant for handbags, and has most likely spent time in Florence and Paris … ’
Carole shook her head. ‘Goodness Holly, it’s a bit like searching for a needle in a haystack isn’t it?’
Jessica frowned. ‘Not necessarily. Trust me, I do this every day. Ms Mead will approach me with some request like “can you call that person who I saw at that restaurant in October?” And I have to figure it out. It isn’t impossible. You already have quite a few clues, now you just have to try and put them together.
The blonde-haired girl leaned closer to the counter and again started inspecting the charms individually, pausing when she came to the one in the shape of a skyscraper. Holly had noticed it before without any sort of recognition.
‘Hmm.’
‘The skyscraper? I was thinking that was maybe where she worked or maybe she could even be an architect, or—’
Jessica was already shaking her head. ‘No, no, it’s not that. It’s not a skyscraper.’
Holly’s brow furrowed and she exchanged a glance with Carole, who gave her a confused shrug.
‘But it looks like a skyscraper … sort of art deco, like the Chrysler Building, although I don’t recognise it … ’
‘But it’s not. It’s an apartment building,’ Jessica said with conviction.
‘What? How do you know?’
‘Because there are four of them, exactly like this, in a row on Park Avenue. I walk by them every day.’
Holly’s mouth dropped open. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes, I’m sure. This is what my job entails, noticing things. I would bet you a million dollars that the owner of this bracelet lives in one of those four buildings. Or used to.’
‘Oh my goodness … ’ Holly felt like hugging the girl in front of her.
‘Yeah, but those buildings are sure to contain hundreds of tenants,’ Carole pointed out. ‘What are you going to do? Go door to door?’
Jessica was already shaking her head. ‘No it’s much simpler than that. If the person does still live in that building, all we have to do is compare those lists that I brought against those addresses. From there, the list may well be narrowed down even further.’
Holly felt like cheering. ‘Oh Jessica, you’re brilliant!’
Jessica smiled and waved a hand. ‘No sweat, that’s why they pay me the big bucks,’ she added sardonically. At that second, her phone buzzed and, looking down at the screen, she grimaced. ‘Speak of the devil … ’ She turned away and headed towards the dressing room, walking fast and speaking even faster. ‘Of course, Ms Mead. Absolutely, right away. Yes, the caterer has already confirmed for New Year’s Eve and he understands the constraints. Yes, he understands that too, as does the florist. Yes, they know it’s an annual thing – same time, same place.’
Same Time, Same Place …
Just then something clicked in Holly’s brain, but her train of thought was quickly interrupted when at that moment her own phone buzzed from her inside pocket. She looked at the display. It was Kate.
Holly turned away and pressed the green button on her BlackBerry, connecting the call. Seconds later, all colour drained from her face. ‘Oh God, is he OK? Hold on, I’ll be right there.’
‘Holly, what’s going on? Carole asked, concerned. ‘Are you OK?’
She was already grabbing her coat. ‘Yes, but Danny’s not. He’s at Lennox Hill Hospital. He had an accident at the Rockefeller Ice Rink. I have to go.’
But what the hell was he doing there in the first place? Stupid, stupid Nick … she knew she should never have …
‘Is he hurt?’ Carole pressed.
‘He needs stitches. Kate couldn’t stay on the phone for long, and well, I just have to … oh I still have so much to do here,’ she cried, tears welling up in her eyes.
‘Holly, just go, I’ll take care of all of it. Go take care of your son.’
