Mary spent the next hour or so at her desk, returning calls, answering emails, and tackling the day’s correspondence. Her cell phone started ringing, and she slid it from her holster, thinking immediately of Anthony, but the screen showed the realtor’s number.
“Hi, Mary,” Janine said, “the owner has your offer, and they’re considering it.”
“That’s all? I offered the asking price.” Mary sighed just as Grady popped his head into her open door, and she waved him into the chair opposite her desk, where he sat down, silently.
Janine was saying, “I think they’ll accept, but there are other offers, so don’t start celebrating. They have three days to accept, and it’s prudent to take the full time.”
“I don’t want to get into a bidding war.”
“I’ll call you when I know something. In the meantime, we have to line up an inspector, and I’ll email you with a referral.”
“Thanks.” Mary pressed END and set the phone down.
“The house?” Grady asked. “It’ll come through.”
“I hope so. It cost me my boyfriend.”
“Wanna talk about it? I’m here.” Grady looked sympathetic, but Mary didn’t know him well enough to cry on his shoulder.
“Nah, thanks. I’m fine.” She reached for her computer mouse. “Let’s look online for a restaurant. What would you like? Chinese? French? Steak? They’re gonna be out late.”
“I know, Bennie gave me the house keys. I’m supposed to put them in the flowerpot for her, then go to sleep.” Grady rose and came around the desk. “On a different point, this thing Judy’s talking about, that somehow Bennie is really Alice. You don’t agree with her, do you?”
“No.” Mary looked up. “Why?”
“It’s odd.” Grady leaned against the credenza, slipping his hands into his pockets. His shirtsleeves were rolled up, and his striped tie loosened. “I’ve been thinking about it ever since Judy said it.”
“Really?” Mary was starting to wonder if the world had gone nuts.
“It’s like when someone asks you if you hear water dripping, and you don’t. But then, after they mention it, it’s all you hear. You’re listening for it, then. You understand?”
“You mean you agree with Judy now? You said you didn’t.”
“I know, I didn’t.” Grady’s brow knit in confusion. “But now I’m thinking about it.”
“Why?”
“Because of some things that happened last night, between Bennie and me. Little things, like she gave me a glass of milk and she knows I hate milk.”
“Not a smoking gun.”
“But it was an old joke between us, because she loves milk so much.”
“So she forgot. You haven’t seen her in a couple of years. Do you remember which drink she absolutely hates? There is one.”
Grady’s expression went blank. “Uh, no.”
“Root beer.”
“Touché.”
“Plus, you surprised her with your visit, didn’t you? Your coming in probably threw her for a loop.” Mary was thinking about the man who worked at Mellon Center. “She’s just off her game.”
“Possibly.”
“Definitely.”
“So Judy’s completely wrong?”
“Yes.” Mary’s cell phone rang and she checked the display screen, hoping again for Anthony, but no luck. “Excuse me, it’s my parents. I’ll just be a minute.” She pressed the green button and said, “Hi.”
“Maria, Maria!” It was her mother, in tears.
“Ma, what’s the matter?”
“Your father, he’s a cheat with Fiorella!”
“What?” Mary asked, shocked.
“He’s a with Fiorella! Come home, per favore, Maria! Tornare a casa!”
“I’m on my way,” Mary said, springing to her feet.