“It’s a little early in the day for puzzles.” The smug satisfaction in his voice had her fingers curling.

“It’s not a puzzle when the solution is so clear. I don’t imagine you were aware of just how many service people live in the building. And how early some of those service people get up in the morning, have their coffee, glance out the window. Or how cooperative those people would be in giving descriptions to the police.”

“If something happened to your building, that’s your problem.” He drew hard on his cigarette. “I haven’t been near it.”

“I never thought you had been,” she said easily. “You’ve always been good at delegating. But once certain parties are picked up by the police, I think you’ll discover how unsettling it is not to have loyal employees.”

She could have sworn she heard him sweat. “I don’t have to listen to this.”

“No, of course you don’t. And I won’t keep you. Oh, Lloyd, don’t let them talk you into a bonus. They didn’t do a very thorough job. Ciao.”

She hung up, immensely satisfied. If she knew her quarry, he wouldn’t wait long to meet with his hirelings and pay them off. And since the investigator had been very interested in Sydney’s theory, she doubted that meeting would go unobserved.

She flicked her intercom. “Janine, I need food before we start interviewing the new secretaries. Order anything the deli says looks good today and double it.”

“You got it. I was about to buzz you, Sydney. Your mother’s here.”

The little bubble of success burst in her throat. “Tell her I’m…” Coward. “No, tell her to come in.” But she took a deep breath before she rose and walked to the door. “Mother.”

“Sydney, dear.” Lovely in ivory linen and smelling of Paris, she strolled in and bussed Sydney’s cheek. “I’m so sorry.”

“I—what?”

“I’ve had to wait all weekend to contact you and apologize.” Margerite took a steadying breath herself, twisting her envelope bag in her hands. “May I sit?”

“Of course. I’m sorry. Would you like anything?”

“To completely erase Friday evening from my life.” Seated, Margerite gave her daughter an embarrassed glance. “This isn’t easy for me, Sydney. The simple fact is, I was jealous.”

“Oh, Mother.”

“No, please.” Margerite waved her daughter to the chair beside her. “I don’t enjoy the taste of crow and hope you’ll let me get it done in one large swallow.”

As embarrassed as her mother, Sydney sat and reached for her hand. “It isn’t necessary that you swallow at all. We’ll just forget it.”

Margerite shook her head. “I hope I’m big enough to admit my failings. I like thinking I’m still an attractive and desirable woman.”

“You are.”