Bennett went to wipe off her cheek, and as soon as her hand was out of crushing distance, Lisa slammed the door. Within seconds, she was driving out of the lot, leaving Bennett gazing at the smudge of pale coral lipstick on her fingertips as if it were gold dust.

***

With the task of handing out Christmas bonuses and presents completed, Bennett puttered about the gallery for only a few hours before deciding to call it a night. The late December temperatures had all but eliminated her need to prowl the alleys and streets of Back Bay. If deals for drugs were being made, they were happening in the backs of cars or in the stairways of buildings, and muggers who would typically shuffle slowly down sidewalks looking for their next victim weren’t to be seen. It was simply too damn cold, and Bennett’s walk home was uneventful and quiet.

Bennett let herself into her apartment, flicking on a few lights before hanging up her coat, and before she shut the closet door, Xi was weaving himself between her feet. “Is that your way of saying hello, or are you looking for a midnight snack?”

Xi raised his gold-green eyes, and letting out a meow, he trotted to the mat in the kitchen and yowled out his displeasure over the empty bowl.

“Well, at least you’re not tapping your foot, m’lord.”

Bennett scooped some dry kibble into Xi’s bowl, and while he munched it down, she cleaned his litter box before going into her bedroom and stripping out of her clothes. A short time later, showered and wearing forest green silk pajamas, Bennett padded to the kitchen, and setting down her phone, she perused her wine selection and decided a full-bodied Rioja would do nicely. Bennett filled a goblet, grabbed her mobile, and made herself comfortable by stretching out across the leather sofa. She breathed in the hint of vanilla and spice in the wine before she took a sip, and setting down her glass, Bennett tapped on her phone, and a moment later, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio was coming out of the inconspicuous Bose speakers around the room.