Marissa massages her temples. “I have no idea.… I don’t think it’s necessary.… That’s up to you.…”
“It was the craziest thing!” Polly puts a hand to her chest as Marissa begins to walk away. “I heard the buzzer, and even though it was a little early, I went to open the door. Right after I saw Matthew through the glass, I noticed the piece of paper. Matthew almost stepped on it when I let him in.”
The anonymous note is clearly the most exciting thing that has happened to Polly in a while. Her cheeks are flushed and her eyes are bright.
The throbbing in Marissa’s head worsens.
“I put Matthew’s flowers in a vase,” Polly calls unnecessarily, as Marissa has already hurried into the back room and spotted the roses.
Their sickly sweet smell permeates the small area. Marissa appreciates Matthew’s gesture, but the flowers look a little wilted and brown around the edges. They’re not nearly as lush as the bouquet she received just a few days ago.
Her hand shakes as she uses a box cutter to slice open UPS packages and takes out cotton sweaters that just arrived from Santa Monica. She’d ordered them weeks ago, thinking their bright stripes would be perfect for spring. But now the jaunty colors seem garish, and she wonders if her judgment is off.
“Do you want some tea?”
Marissa starts at the sound of Polly’s voice. “I’m fine.” Marissa doesn’t glance up. Why can’t Polly take a hint?
Marissa’s phone pings and she snatches it out of her purse. She’d texted Matthew as she retraced her steps from the Chevy Chase Circle back to Coco: Hope your day goes well.… I love you.
It’s just an email from Natalie. In the hour or so since the conclusion of this morning’s auction meeting, Natalie has already sent along the minutes and created a spreadsheet with action tasks assigned to each committee member. Marissa is supposed to ask her vendors to donate additional goods for the event, even though the school already has more than 150 pieces for the silent bidding.
This is Natalie’s first time on the benefit committee, and she has made it clear that she wants to set a record for profits. Marissa closes the email without reading it through to the end.
Marissa is searching for a missing invoice for her accountant and fighting the urge to check her phone again when Polly pokes her head into the room. “You sure I can’t pick you up a salad or a sandwich?”
“No. Thank you,” Marissa replies in a tight voice.
“Well, if you need anything, I’m just up front. I’m going to start wrapping the bridesmaids’ gifts for the Webster wedding.”
Marissa can sense Polly’s presence; her young assistant is hovering in the doorway. “I was just thinking. About that message. It’s so creepy! Should we call the police?”
“No!” Marissa’s tone is knife sharp. She spins around to face Polly. “Actually, Polly, I do need something.”
Polly’s face lights up.
“I need you to answer a question for me. Why did you show that note to Matthew?”
“Uh … like I said, he was right there when I saw it—”
Marissa cuts her off. There’s no reply Polly can give that will better the situation. If Polly were a different sort of person—thoroughly professional and discreet—Matthew might not ever have known about the note.
Her husband is smart. He could very well be working his way to the same conclusion Avery already reached about the sender.
“You have no idea what you’ve done,” Marissa’s voice catches on her last word.
“I’m so sorry, Marissa, but I—” Polly’s lower lip is trembling and her eyes shine with tears.
Marissa can’t manage Polly’s feelings now. She can’t even be around her for another minute.
The intrusions, the borrowed earrings, the mimicry. It’s too much.
“Why don’t you leave for the day,” Marissa snaps. “Actually, don’t come in for the rest of the week. I’ll pay you for your usual hours.”
“What?” Polly looks utterly stricken.
“I think you should take some time off.”
Polly begins to babble. “I didn’t mean to—”
Thankfully, Marissa’s ringing phone cuts her off.
It’s a client who wants to place a special order. “Hold on just one second and let me get to my computer,” Marissa says into the phone. She mutes the call. “Polly, I’ll be in touch soon.”
Before Polly can say another word, Marissa turns all of her attention back to her caller.