Obsessed(11)

"Celeste Gladu," Liz reveals. "She's a model."

I feel my heart sink at that announcement. "That's not surprising," I say under my breath.

"No." Liz holds back a chuckle. "They weren't together. Jax is friends with her beau, Jeremy. Jax was seeing her home that night as a favor."

"How do you know all this?" I ask in bona fide amazement.

"I saw Celeste at the opening. I was coming to fetch you to meet her when we got sidetracked by Brighton." Liz rambles on, "I met Celeste years ago when we lived in the same walk up in So-Ho."

"And you saw her with Jax at the opening?"

"Yes." She continues, "after you left Brighton's last night I mentioned Celeste to Jax and we started talking and before you know it, I had a fistful of information to give my best friend."

"Very helpful information." I grin widely. "I like him."

"I could tell at the opening." She winks at me before turning back to her painting. "I should get back to this. Brighton is coming by later to see more of my work."

I walk up next to her and give her a hug from behind. "I love you, Liz."

"Love you too." She squeezes my arm.

I pick up the small straw purse I brought with me. "Did you tell Mark about the letter?"

She sits silently before slowly turning on the stool to face me. "Did you mention it to anyone else?"

"Mrs. Adams knew."

"It must have been her then," Liz responds before turning back to her work.

"Yes, it must be her." I say as I walk out the door.



***



"Ms. Marlow." Oliver greets me as I arrive back at my apartment. I'm not certain walking the eight blocks from Liz's studio was such a good idea in the heat of this very humid, Sunday afternoon.

"Oliver." I smile at the elderly doorman as I use my hand to fan my face.

"There's a delivery for you."

I'm wary. Surprises have never been something I embrace. "What is it?"

"It's there." Oliver gestures to a grand package leaning against the wall near the elevators. It's square and at least four feet across wrapped completely in brown paper.

"I'm going to guess it's not flowers."

Oliver laughs. "No Ma'am. I'll get Phil to help me bring it up in the freight elevator."

I give Oliver a quick peck on the cheek. "You're a doll."

I stare at the mystery package as I wait for the elevator to arrive in the lobby. It's hard to focus on it given all the Jax details that Liz so willingly offered up this afternoon.

The elevator doors open and Mrs. Adams steps out.

"Mrs. Adams." I give her a quick hug. "How are you today?"

I watch the doors close behind her as the elevator races up to retrieve someone else.

"Dear, were you jogging?" She reaches to wipe some errant hairs that have clung to the perspiration on my forehead.

"No." I instinctively smooth my hair back into place. "I was walking. It's hot out today."

"That's why I brought this." She pulls a small black umbrella out of her bag. "Rule number one is a lady must always be prepared."

"Do you want me to walk with you?" I ask, concerned by the idea of her wandering on her own.

"Absolutely not." Her mouth transforms into a sly grin. "I have a date."

"Who's the lucky fellow?" I raise my eyebrow playfully.

"Rule number two." She holds up two fingers. "A lady never kisses and tells."

"That's a very wise rule."

"I'm not one to mind anyone else's business, but I noticed Mark paid you a visit last night." Her voice has become a whisper now.

"He did." I whisper back knowing she's trying to keep our conversation out of the range of Oliver's ears. "He came to get that letter."

"How's Mark?" She places her fragile hand on my arm.

"He's fine," I say a bit puzzled. "Didn't you ask him how he was when you called him about the letter?"

"Dear?" Her voice stops at that. Her expression is one of bewilderment.

"Didn't you call Mark to tell him about the letter?" The confusion is mutual now.

"I would never," she declares strongly. "After what that boy did to you, I want nothing to do with him." She waves her hand in her Oliver's direction.

"Thank you. Enjoy your date and play safe." I give her a small wink.

"Ivy!" She grins as Oliver comes over to help her out to the car that just arrived for her.

I take the elevator up to my apartment, the entire time wondering how Mark found out about the letter. It makes no sense. One of those two women had to have told him.

Within twenty minutes there's a knock at my door. Oliver has enlisted Phil Johnson to help him bring the enormous mystery package to my apartment door. It easily slides in as I make small talk with Phil about his parents, who manage the building. The conversation shifts to his sophomore year of college and all his challenges. I listen attentively while wishing I could politely slam the door in his face so I could deal with the package.