“What do you want to do now?” asked Sean as the two friends headed uptown to Zoe’s apartment after a second unsuccessful meeting with the police. “Detective Williams didn’t sound very promising.”

“He said he was still looking into a few things,” said Zoe.

“I think he was blowing smoke. He’s involved in the West Side Strangler investigation. He’s not going to spend any time on our convoluted story.”

“It’s not convoluted,” said Zoe, her eyes flashing. “I know what I saw, it was a murder plot.”

“If the police aren’t going to do anything, you’ve got to talk to Conner.”

“You know how he is about this kind of stuff. Last night on the phone I just mentioned something funny was going on with the bookkeeper at the restaurant and he lost his mind.”

“Occasionally, you do get slightly carried away,” said Sean, “but that’s part of your charm.”

“I know, right? Conner doesn’t get that part of me.”

“Look, we know this isn’t a joke. The fact is, it’s a matter of life and death. Once Conner hears the whole story. He’ll want to help us.”

“I’m not so sure about that,” said Zoe, casting her eyes downward and wringing her hands. “He thinks my crime investigations and any communication with police will come back to bite him with the bureau.”

“There was that thing last year,” said Sean, quietly looking away.

“You’re siding with him?”

“No, but things did get kind of crazy.”

“Only because the FBI is so rigid about confidentiality protocols,” said Zoe with a scowl.

“But don’t you think if Conner knew someone might die, he’d want to help?”

Zoe puffed up her cheeks and let out a breath. “You’re right. I need to give my husband more credit. I’ll have to risk pissing him off to save that man’s life. Even if he gets mad at me, it’s my duty as a citizen of the world to stop that murder from happening. I’ll talk to him when he calls tonight. And if he bites my head off?”

“You can blame it on me.”

“Don’t worry, I will.”

24

As the hiring manager at Thayer and Co had suspected when he offered Gabriela a sales job, the voluptuous saleswoman had been a hit with the male clientele. Their male customer’s relationship to clothing and fashion was tricky. Some men got it and enjoyed wardrobing themselves and the whole experience of shopping. But, the vast majority of men, particularly the older ones, were clueless or exceedingly insecure about their clothing and accessory choices. That’s why so many men brought their wives or girlfriends with them.