“Well, Clarice went home from that awful place crying and told her daughter Venice. Venice e-mailed Jessica Rodman, and now every kid at Spence, Nightingale, and Hewitt knows all about it and so do all their mothers. They were doing it in the bathroom. I mean, how high school is that? And what about poor Charlie? I mean, I think he’s not really the best dermatologist in New York anymore, but he does adore his wife. And you know that Samantha and I are extremely close now. And all I want is for her to be happy. I find Barry Santorini physically repulsive, but he’s rich and very powerful. And even if you’re the Samantha Acton, that kind of money and power are very intoxicating ingredients.”

“Thank you, Judy. Good to talk to you.” Frankie hung up before she had to endure a minute more.

Because Barry’s children were her patients, she had his emergency numbers at his office and all his assistants’ home numbers.

“Hello, this is Dr. Francesca Weissman. I need to reach Barry Santorini.” She spoke efficiently to his half-asleep assistant.

“Is it an emergency?”

“Yes,” Frankie said without hesitation. “It’s a family matter.”

“He’s at his house in Nantucket. 508-529-3374. There’s also his cell phone, 917-421-8087.”

“Thank you.” Frankie hung up and dialed. She wasn’t quite clear if it was Charlie or really she who wanted to get in touch with Samantha so desperately.

“Hello, Barry. This is Dr. Francesca Weissman.”

“You called my private cell phone!” he screamed at her.

“Your assistant gave it to me,” Frankie snapped.

“Is something wrong with one of my kids?”

“As far as I know, your children are fine,” Frankie answered. “Is Samantha Acton there?”

“Isn’t it a little early for you to be making social calls?” He was still screaming.

“Barry, if she is there, I need to talk to her. It’s urgent.” Frankie said in a flat professional voice.

“But she doesn’t have children.”

“She has a husband and he’s been hurt.”

“So I’ll tell her.” Barry was furious at the intrusion.

“No, Mr. Santorini. I acted as his doctor tonight, and I will tell her the full details.”

“You never struck me as a girl with these kinds of balls.”

“May I speak to Samantha, please.” She was cold and direct.

Barry called to Samantha. “Hey, babe, it’s for you.”

“Who is it?”

“My kids’ doctor.”

“Frankie Weissman?”

“I never knew she was such a pushy bitch. It’s something about your husband.”

Samantha took the phone. “Frankie?”

Frankie took a breath and tried to ground herself. “Hello, Samantha. Sorry to disturb you, but I thought I should tell you that Charlie was mugged last night and injured his foot.”

“How was he mugged? Did the driver do it?”

“Apparently, he took the subway home and it happened somewhere on Park Avenue.”