After tucking all her hair under the cap, she pushed open the white, frosted-glass door. The room was filled with the aroma of lavender and vanilla, and New Age music played in the background. Exactly the way Avery had described the office in Aspen. Two women in their midfifties sat behind a white counter that held two orchid plants. Both women wore white lab coats. The one wearing big black-framed glasses spoke first.

“Hello, love. Welcome to Live-Life-Long. How can we help you?” She had a lovely London accent.

“I feel sooo foolish.” This time Eileen feigned a Southern accent. “I got off the subway. Ah believe y’all call it a toob?” She let the word linger. “Well, anyhoo, I was supposed to meet a friend at a café somewhere around these here parts, and I got myself all turned around!”

“There are several, dear. Do you have a name?” the second woman asked.

“Let me check. I know I put it in my bag. Hang on!” Eileen faked fumbling in her bag and let a few things fall onto the counter. As she was placing the items back in her purse, she surreptitiously slapped a listening device on one of the orchid pots. “Oh lordy, here it is.” She pulled out a crumpled piece of paper that had once been a receipt and pretended to read it. “Café Druid.”

The women smiled politely and gave her directions.

“Thank you, ladies, so very much. Y’all have yourselves a nice day.” Eileen turned to leave and to look for another spot from which to observe the office until Marcus left the building.

He left much earlier than she had expected. Within a few minutes of her exit, he was already out the door. He was heading toward his flat. Eileen kept an eye on him as she quickly walked over to a souvenir vendor and bought a different cap. She ripped off the tags and threw them and her previous cap in a trash bin.

As she continued to follow him, it became even clearer that he was heading home. Maybe for lunch? She spoke into her sleeve to record his movements. They neared the entrance to his building, and Eileen slowed her pace as she watched him enter. She would find a place to wait.

* * *

Marcus entered his apartment, anticipating that Norma had already left. He was correct.

He walked into the large closet that contained the safe and punched the numbers. As an additional feature, the safe accepted only his or Norma’s fingerprints when the numbers were punched in. He peered into the velvet drawers and had not the slightest bit of remorse when he removed a gold bangle bracelet with five carats total weight in diamonds. If he recalled, it had been appraised at fifteen thousand dollars. That would do him for a bit, provided he could talk Franny into trading that way. He’d even offer Franny a good discount.