the podcast went well?”
“Yes. The show wasn’t a home run, but at least I felt comfortable doing it.” I tell him about the interesting comment that my author guest made regarding executive presence, and I also share Sasha’s provocative remark—and how it bordered on a dig.
“Sounds like she’s best ignored. . . . How about your book? Have you been able to catch up on that?”
“I’m behind where I want to be, but I’m going to go over notes with Nicole this week, and I’ll gear up from there.”
“Is that who you were talking to?”
“Talking to?”
“On the phone when I came in.”
“No, Nicole’s on vacation until tomorrow. . . . That was actually a private investigator. I hired him this afternoon.”
Hugh opens his mouth and immediately closes it. I sense he’s biting his tongue. What part does he mind? That I closed the deal without running the terms by him? That I did it at all?
“I know you weren’t exactly wild about the idea,” I say, “but I really think it’ll help. When I was at Dr. Erling’s yesterday, she said that my memory might never come back, and this could be the only way for me to find out where I was those two days.”
“Well, it’s your call, Ally.”
I’m about to add that Mulroney has already turned up something worthwhile—the blood type on the tissues—but decide to save it for later. I sense the topic is only adding to Hugh’s stress. It also doesn’t seem like the right moment to raise my recovered memory.
“Hey, I’ve got a surprise,” I say, switching gears. “I picked up a delicious cheese when I was out. I figured we could both do with something decadent.”
He leans back in his chair, twisting his mouth a little in protest. “That was nice, but I don’t think I could enjoy it tonight, considering how much work I’m facing. Can you save some for me for tomorrow?”
“Sure,” I say, but I feel vaguely defeated. I rise from the table, collecting both plates. “Why don’t you pull out your work and I’ll make you an espresso?”
“Thanks. This way I’ll be ahead of the curve and I can take all the time I need tomorrow to go with you to the neurologist.”
I’d almost forgotten.
“Hugh, there’s absolutely no reason at all for you to go. I was out and about today and I’m sure I can handle it alone.”
“But I’ve already—”
“Say no more. I’ll call you as soon as I’m through and fill you in.”
“Okay, but if you change your mind, just let me know.”
Despite my insistence on handling cleanup, Hugh helps load the dishwasher. I make an espresso for him and carry it to the table as he’s laying out his work.
“Oh, by the way. Sasha said to tell you she remembers where she met you. At the Yale Club a couple of weeks ago.”
He sips the espresso, his back to me.
“That lecture I went to?” he says after a moment. “If she says so.”
“She apparently went with a friend of hers. Ashley Budd.”
He half turns, his face in profile, and wrinkles his smooth, high brow in thought.
“Yeah, I bumped into Ashley that night. She’s someone I knew back in law school. Well, please offer Sasha my profuse apologies for not remembering her.”
He grabs a stack of papers and begins thumbing through it.
Quietly, I make a cup of herbal tea and take it to the alcove off the master bedroom, where I answer current emails, including one from Casey. She’s in the process of editing and rendering the podcast, which will be posted tomorrow.
“Want me to shorten the chat segment in editing?” she asks. “The author interview was so strong, we could even let it run a little long.”
“No, better not,” I reply. “I’m sure Sasha will count her on-air minutes and complain if we’re ten seconds shy of what it should be.”
I also email Nicole, asking her to call me tomorrow so we can touch base about my book. In addition, I mention that I’m curious why she wanted to speak to someone at Greenbacks.
As I’m about to snap the laptop closed, I feel my phone vibrate on the desk. A text from Roger.
Hope u r good. Too late to talk tonight? If not, pls call me.
There’s an urgency to the last line that makes me nervous, and I phone him back immediately.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“First, tell me how you are.”
“Okay, I guess. No reoccurrences at least.”
“That’s great, Button. So glad to hear it.”
“Were you able to talk to