Honeymoon - James Patterson [20]
“I noticed that you don’t drink. Not even on a day like today,” Elizabeth said.
Nora was holding a glass of sparkling water. “Oh, I drink. But I guess I prefer water today.”
“We really haven’t had much of a chance to talk, have we?” Elizabeth said. “I want to thank you for making all the arrangements. I don’t think I could’ve done it.” Tears began to well in her eyes.
“You’re welcome. I suppose it made sense, given that I live here. I mean not here here but—”
“I know, Nora. In fact, that’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”
A man walked by, one of Connor’s associates from Greenwich. Elizabeth paused so as not to be overheard.
“Come,” said Nora. “Let’s step outside for a minute.”
She led Elizabeth out the front door to the large flagstone steps of the entrance. It was now just the two of them. Time for some honesty?
“Anyway,” said Elizabeth. “I had a conversation with Mark Tillingham. It seems Connor has left me this house.”
Nora’s reaction was brilliant. “Really? Well, that’s good. I’m glad it can stay in the family. Especially with you, Lizzie.”
“Oh, that’s so nice. Only the last thing I’m about to do is move here and live in it,” said Elizabeth. She paused and dropped her head, unable to finish the sentence. Tears were now streaming down her cheeks. “I just couldn’t.”
“I understand,” said Nora. “You should just put it on the market, Lizzie.”
“I suppose. But I’m in no rush. Which is what I wanted to talk to you about,” she said. “First, I want you to feel free to use the house for as long as you like. I know that’s what Connor would’ve wanted.”
“That’s so nice of you,” said Nora. “And unnecessary. I’m overcome.”
“I’ve asked Mark to have all the expenses and upkeep paid for by the estate. It’s the least we could do,” Elizabeth said. “And, Nora, I want you to keep all the furnishings. That’s what brought you and Connor together in the first place.”
Nora smiled. Elizabeth’s guilt was dripping from every word. On the heels of Connor’s death, she thought his fiancée would be out for a payday. But now that she believed otherwise, her generosity was a way of admitting she was wrong. Which she was, thought Nora. Technically, at least.
I’ve already had my payday.
They stood in front of the grand house and continued to talk until Elizabeth realized the time. Her flight back to California was in less than three hours. “I’d better get going,” she said. “Saddest day of my life, Nora.”
Nora nodded. “Yes. Mine, too. Please keep in touch.”
Elizabeth said good-bye—with a hug, no less—and walked to her rental car in the driveway. Nora watched, her feet close together, her hands clasped at her waist. Beneath her sturdy exterior, though, was a heart racing with excitement. She’d pulled it off! The murder. The money.
Nora pivoted on her Manolos to head inside the house. After two steps, she stopped. She thought she’d heard something. A noise from the hedges and evergreens. A clicking sound.
She looked toward the edge of the property and listened. . . . Nothing.
Probably a bird, she decided.
But as she took the last step into the house, the Nikon D1X digicam chirped a few final times from its perch among the rhododendron.
Click. Click. Click.
Nora Sinclair wasn’t the only one with a grand plan.
Part Two
THE INSURANCE MAN
Chapter 25
THINGS AREN’T ALWAYS as they appear, sonny boy.
That was something my father was fond of telling me when I was growing up. Of course, he was also fond of telling me to take out the garbage, rake the leaves, shovel the snow, don’t slouch, stand up straight. But in terms of leaving a meaningful impression, everything else was a distant second to his first little piece of advice.
So simple. Yet, as the years have taught me, so true.
Anyway, I was sitting in my newly acquired office, which was more like a glorified broom closet. The place was so snug, even Houdini would have complained. Up on my computer were the pictures I’d taken with my digicam. One after another. Nora Sinclair dressed in chic-chic black, head to toe. Nora at St. Mary’s Church. At the Sleepy