“All, if I can manage it.”
“How soft is this cushion?”
She caught her bottom lip between her teeth as her eyes danced. “About fifteen that’s tucked—deeply—away. I was fond of Andre and of Georges, as I said, and enjoyed the lifestyles we shared. But I never expected it to last forever in either case. I juggled a bit here and there along the way. And I have some jewelry that doesn’t really suit me. I’d like to turn that liquid. Discreetly.”
“You’d want property in New York?”
“That would be my first choice, unless you’ve a better suggestion.”
“I’ll think about it. I’ll be able to give you some options, Maggie, but you’ll have to create those layers yourself. I can point you in the right direction, and to the right people. That’s all I can do.”
“That would be more than enough.” Her hand touched his arm again, rubbed up and down. “I appreciate it. I’m staying at Franklin’s pied-à-terre for the time being. I’ll give you the address, and my contact numbers.”
“Enjoying the benefits of companionship with a wealthy, older man?”
She forked up salad, flashed a grin. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”
Eve located a single plant in New Jersey that processed castor oil. It was worth the trip, she decided, particularly since she felt cooped up in her office.
Along the way, Peabody caught her up with her own investigative results. “I ran the names of parents or child-care providers who signed in yesterday. Shuffled down the list those who had confirmed appointments with faculty members, and those who signed in and out during the times the vic was known to be in his classroom. Leaves us four potentials.”
“Do any of them connect to Foster?’
“Two had kids in his classes this term. I wanted to check, see if either kid had trouble there, academically, or discipline problems. But Principal Mosebly’s being pissy about sharing the records.”
“Is she really?” The idea gave Eve something like a warm glow. “It’ll be a pleasure to take her down on that. I’ll get a warrant.”
“That’s what I like to hear.”
“Of the other two, one got a knock for assault a couple years ago. She went after some guy with a baseball bat at a Little League game. Broke his shoulder.”
“There’s team spirit.”
“She got off with community service and anger management, paying his medical bills. The guy sued her,” Peabody added, “settling out of court for an undisclosed amount. Want me to get more details on that?”
“We’ll ask her personally.”
“Hallie Wentz, single, one female child, age eight, Emily. Hallie’s a party planner.”
“They pay people to plan parties. I don’t get it. If you’re bound and determined to have a party, how much of a deal is it to have one?”
“Three words: Mavis’s baby shower.”
Eve tried not to squirm. “That went okay.”
“That went uptown because you had somebody, that would be me, handling the details.”
“And did I pay you?”
Peabody frowned, scratched her jaw. “I am forced to say: Touché.”
“Nobody should be forced to say touché.”
“Feeling better?”
“Than what?” Eve countered as she slipped off the turnpike.
“Than you were this morning.”