Liz wondered if John Maynard Keynes qualified as an academic and decided it was best not to counter Inez.
Will you get to the point? Mariah plopped behind a school desk.
Flo also decided to sit.
The classroom, which would be empty for another two hours, proved pleasantly warm. Liz sat between the two, moving her light desk so theyd be in a semicircle.
Well, Id like to iron out some difficulties. I feel guilty that Inez has had to step in for me and its because I cant get you two to cooperate.
Flo, eyes narrowed, said through compressed lips, I will do anything for William Woods. Just what the hell is it you wish me to cooperate about?
Measuring her words, Liz replied, It seems to me that whatever Mariah suggests, you counter, andshe looked at Mariahwhatever Flo says or suggests, you take issue with.
Is it my fault Flos ego is in an ever-expanding stategaseous, you might say. Mariah smiled wickedly through her violet-tinged lipstick.
Ego! Mariah, you still havent forgiven me for stealing, as you put it, Dick Langston.
I confess. When he chose you, I was upset, but as time has passed, Im ever so glad. She waited a beat. Hes aged terribly since losing the Democratic nomination for governor eight years ago. She looked at her nails, looked up again. And, really, darling, couldnt you two find a better plastic surgeon? He looks well, Asian.
You leave my husband out of this, Flo spat.
Look, you two, this is exactly what Im talking about. I dont know all that has transpired in the past. Cant you table it for the good of the school?
Ill be convinced its for the good of the school when she doesnt put forward PeteFlo named Mariahs husbandto construct any new buildings on campus.
I have never, never put forward my husband. He makes a bid like any other contractor in this state.
And youre an important member of the alumnae board. I say that gives Pete the inside track.
It does not. Hes above reproach.
Better than I can say for you. Flo fluffed her streaked hair with her right hand.
Mariah, face flushed, half-rose out of the wooden seat. Just what does that mean? She caught herself, sat down, then calmly switched subjects. Were we to have a dishonesty contest, I do think Id trail you, darling.
Thats enough. Liz slammed her hand on the table.
Flo, coolly assessing the attractive younger woman, spoke in a dark alto, Just who do you think youre talking to?
You, Flo. You you should be above this.
Mariah, arms crossed over her hunter-green sweater and a gold pashmina draped over her shoulders, laughed. You two could win Oscars. What a performance. Im actually impressed.
Flo snapped her head in Mariahs direction. What in the hell are you talking about?
This is just too orchestrated, you knowpupil chides mentor, mentor retaliates. Youre in collusion. And you both want to destroy me.
Why would I want to destroy you? Liz was incredulous. I do business with you.
Yes, you do. And youve been good up until now. I think Flo used you to get back at me. Make her a lot of money, she probably said, Then pull the plug.
Youre out of your mind. Flo was slack jawed.
Clever. Ill give it to you. Of course, I knew Liz would follow your lead, but the profits were impressive, and Istupidly, I freely admitthought perhaps she could put business before your personal relationship. Too late, I realized your relationship was more complicated than that. You had to have been feeding Liz information.
I did not! For one thing, Mariah, you know nothing about my
business except that Im a broker. I stick to the basics: food, shelter, energy, and agriculture. I dont even suggest investing in clothing. Ever present in my mind is the flameout of Halston. Im extremely cautious about emerging technologies. Yes, I could have made my clients much more money in the dot-com explosion, but that was more than a decade ago. I was just beginning to hit my stride. I deliver slow, sustained growth. Liz goes after the high-risk stuff, and if youve been part of that, so be it. I, too, have bought into some packages shes put togethernon-technology, if you care. But its not my area of expertise.
Brava, Mariah said drily.
It was Lizs turn to speak. Mariah, the market is down thirty-five percent. Chrysler and GM have collapsed. The government spent our money bailing them, plus theyve thrown billions at failing banks. Lehman Brothers died a painful death, and AIG has been a holy horror. I didnt create those conditions, but Tim and I are doing better than average. Our customer portfolios have lostof course they havebut less than the market average. Furthermore, I dont think I should discuss the particulars of your portfolio with Flo in the room.
You dont have to; she already knows them.
I do not. Flo took a breath, composed herself. Once again her hand fluttered to her hair. I have, however, considered your business. On Dicks 57th birthday, I bought him a gold Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso. At that time, it cost $16,700. Its an understated, fabulous watch, wouldnt you agree?
Fabulous. Mariah nodded.
Along the way, I did price the gold Rolex Oyster, which ran for about thirty thousand. The platinum was out of sight. I was just curious. Curious about pearls, too, as Ive always wanted another strand. I so love pearls. She paused, a large smile animating her face. Yet Fletcher, Maitland, and DAngelo routinely sell these brands for about thirty percent less. Only Tourneau does that, she named a firm specializing in watches, and at those prices they sell rebuilt ones, although they do sell new ones for a bit less than other companies. But no one delivers the deals you do.
Were quite proud of that. Were efficiently run. Always have been. Cut the fat.
You liar. Youre selling fakes.
How dare you! How dare you accuse me of such a thing!
I dare because its true, and I will prove it.
Mariah stood up, threw her shawl more tightly around her throat, and picked up her alpaca coat. She headed for the door, then turned. Liz, Flo, I will expose you two if its the last thing I do. She slammed the door behind her.
Flo rose and picked up her jacketa lined waxed Filson, since shed planned for the weather. Liz, Id say your attempt to get us working together was a spectacular failure. Or, to use your word, a flameout.
Liz, shaky, rose to her feet, also. Flo, is it true about Mariah?
I will prove it. In my own good time. She turned a steely gaze on her understudy. I always get to the bottom of things, Liz. Never forget that.
P
ewter flopped on her side on the parlor rug and opened one eye when Harry, Mrs. Murphy, and Tucker gratefully came in from the cold.
Tucker hurried over.
You missed seeing all the horses.
We have horses at home.
Pewter rolled onto her other side.
Lazy. Fat, lazy cat.
Am not.
Tucker, a twinkle in her eye, said,
Biggest manure pile Ive ever seen.
Irritated, Pewter lifted her head.
Why would I care about a manure pile?
Oh, you know, in case you had to throw up a hairball.
Mrs. Murphys laughter further enraged Pewter, who shot up and swatted at the corgi, who ducked.
Death to tailless dogs!
Sourpuss.
The corgi bounded to the kitchen.
Harry, already in the kitchen, heard the fuss. Whats going on out there?
Oh, nothing.
All three animals were now in the kitchen and responded in unison.