Two bellmen showed the women to their rooms. Exactly as Annie had specified. A suite with adjoining rooms. With spectacular views of Central Park.

“Oh my!” Charlotte said in awe. “This is beautiful!” She approached the other two women and embraced them. “You are too good to me. I cannot thank you enough.”

“True, but please stop!” Annie laughed. “We are on a mission, my friend. And other people will benefit from your bravery.”

“Brave?” Charlotte was skeptical. “Me? How?”

“You came to us with a very serious problem. Many people would never have had the courage to admit they were having problems. Not only did you tell me, but you are also doing something to change it,” Myra reassured her.

“Thank you. I mean, never mind!” Charlotte joked.

“Let’s unpack and freshen up. We have a lunch date!” Annie directed them. “Let’s regroup in a half hour. Is that enough time for everyone to get ready?”

“What shall I wear?” Charlotte asked.

“That lovely white suit,” Myra called out. “I’ll be in navy, and I know Annie will be wearing something red with her boots! We’ll look very patriotic together!”

Within thirty minutes, the women were ready and on their way to the restaurant. They walked along the south side of Central Park in the direction of Columbus Circle, admiring the budding trees.

“I remember when Central Park had a terrible reputation,” commented Charlotte. “Purse snatching, muggings. That poor girl who was murdered by that preppy kid, then the jogger.”

“But look at it now,” Annie exclaimed. “When Giuliani took office, he kicked a lot of ass cleaning up the city. Then Bloomberg stepped in and continued much of the progress. Although I don’t particularly agree with everything they did, they did turn the city around.”

“They could have turned it around quicker if they had had us on their team,” Myra said wryly.

They entered the luxurious restaurant and were greeted as old friends. “Countess. Mrs. Rutledge. And whom do I have the pleasure?” The maître d’ took Charlotte’s extended hand.

“This is our dear friend Charlotte Hansen,” Myra explained. “She is a children’s book author.”

“Lovely to meet you. Celine will show you to your table.”

The women followed the tall, exotic model type to a table, where Victor was waiting. Lots of “Darlings!” “Hello, Gorgeous!” and “Fabulous!” were bandied about among kisses on both cheeks.

“Tell me, what brings you to our fair city?” Victor asked. “Shopping for a new something? Anything?”

“Perhaps. But, most of all, we are shopping for information.” Annie got right to the point. “Are you familiar with a Dr. Raymond Corbett? He has a practice on Long Island, though he lives in the city.”

“Oh, darling, I do know this Dr. Corbett.” Victor batted his eyes at her.