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“I don’t like to do that, ma’am”

“Do it!” Mindy snapped “I’m the head of the board”

Maria backed away in fright, and while she scurried up the stairs, Mindy strolled into the aparted drastically since she’d snooped around at Christh Mindy knew nothing about decorating, being one of those people who became un

aware of an environment after five minutes, even she could appreciate the beauty of what Annalisa had done The floor in the second foyer was now lapis lazuli, and in the center was a round table inlaid with e spray of pink apple blossoms For a moment, Mindy waited in the second foyer, but when she didn’t hear any noise fro roo couches and divans done in soft blue and yellow velvets, and an enores, pinks, creams, and blues

Annalisa Rice was certainly taking her tiht in annoyance, and sat down on a plush couch It was stuffed with down, and Mindy sank into the cushions Striped silk curtains hanging froantly on the floor, and scattered around the roohed If only she’d known James’s book would be a success, she scolded herself Then she ht have had this room for herself

Upstairs, Maria was knocking on Annalisa’s bedrooo away, but the knocks were growing ot out of the four-poster bed She’d been hoping to finally get some rest—since Sandy Brewer’s arrest, she’d hardly slept at all Billy was sure to be arrested as well, but after her conversation with hione by his apartment at least five times, but he wouldn’t answer his buzzer Even Connie wasn’t talking to her—or to anyone, for that matter “I don’t knoho my friends are anymore,” Connie had said “Soht have been you Or Paul”

“Connie, don’t be ridiculous Neither Paul nor I have any interest in hurting you or Sandy Of course you’re scared But I’m not your ene up, telling her not to bother to call again, as their lawyer had forbidden them to talk to anyone Paul was the only one who seemed mysteriously unaffected—or rather, Annalisa corrected, positively affected He’d becoreed to allow the apartest The only snag was that she’d need to get perraphy equipht up in the service elevator

Putting on a pair of velvet slippers and a heavy silk robe, she opened her bedroo over her shoulder nervously

“Who?” Annalisa said

“That lady Fro”

“Enid Merle?”

“The other one The mean one”

“Ah, Mindy Gooch” What did Mindy want now? She probably had some fresh co Paul believed Sam had cut the wires Annalisa herself was skeptical “A thirteen-year-old boy getting the better of you, Paul?” she’d scoffed “I don’t think so” Now she said to Maria, “Make some coffee, please And put out a few of those nice croissants”

“Yes, missus,” Maria said

Annalisa took her ti her face She put on a flohite blouse and a pair of navy blue slacks and slipped the yellow diaer She went downstairs and was irritated to find Mindy sitting co a Victorian silver card case “Hello,” Annalisa said for coffee in the breakfast room Come with me, please”