Page 64 of In the Line of Ire

"It wasgreat to meet you," I said, turning away. "We should mingle somemore."

"Goahead. I'm happy to stay here and people-watch," replied thewoman.

"Shouldn't we pump her for more information?" asked Lilysoftly when we walked away.

"No, shebarely knows the host and she's never been to one of these partiesbefore. She won't know anything."

"Ladies,let me refresh your glasses," said Charlaine, suddenly appearing infront of us at the doorway. She plucked our half-empty glasses fromour hands, dropped them onto a passing tray, and pressedfreshly-filled glasses into our palms.

"Theresure are a lot of people here," I said. "You know how to throw agreat party."

"Why,thank you. I just arranged this at the last minute. It keeps mebusy while my husband is away at work."

"Has hebeen gone very long?"

"Sixmonths. The firm insisted on sending him to Dubai. He's the bestthey have, you see, and they just can't function without him. Imight fly out and visit him soon. Have you been to the MiddleEast?"

"Twice,"said Lily. I shook my head.

"Myhusband thinks their lifestyle is wonderful and the firm takes suchgood care of him. Of course, we'd never settle for anything lessthan first class."

"Youmust miss him," I said.

"Oh, ofcourse I do, but I know how busy he is, and he knows I don't likethe hot climate over there, so I just keep our little house runninguntil he returns. I'm also on the board at the club. We’re about toset a date for the blind auction, along with all those PTA meetingsand luncheons. I'm planning our European adventure next summer allby myself! I'm running my feet off here!"

"Itsounds like you need some help," I said.

"I know.My husband says I should really hire an assistant but I like beingbusy. And it's hard enough to watch the maids without needing tokeep more staff in line. Oh, excuse me," she said, glancing at thephone in her hand when it rang. "It's my contact for the purses. Ithink I might have to order some more. I shouldn't really tell youthis but some of the stock is limited so if you want something, youmust tell me straightaway. I'd hate to see anyone go homedisappointed.” She turned on her heel and hurried away, placing thephone to her ear. We watched her disappear around acorner.

“I need to listen to that conversation,” I said. “Lily, coverme.”

“What with?” Lily asked, looking around.

“No, I mean... oh, never mind... just follow me.” I hurriedafter Charlaine and paused at the corner of the hallway to peekaround. The hallway continued another couple of meters, just beyonda small powder room. The door at the end of the corridor waspartially open. We tiptoed along, careful to avoid letting ourheels clack on the floor.

“I need more,” said Charlaine, her voice rising. “I have thirtypeople here and I’ve been talking up the bags. We’re going to sella lot tonight. Yes, I know. I know! But where is everything? Yousaid you’d deliver them!” There was a long pause then, “What kindof holdup? How am I supposed to sell purses if they can’t even takethem home? Are you sure? Okay. I’ll tell them that whatever theybuy will be gift wrapped and delivered by courier after the party.Can you do that? They had better be good. If anyone finds out Ihaven’t sold them a real purse, no one will ever speak to me again!Yes, okay. I’ll call you with the orders. I have another request ina couple of days for a party booked at a hotel downtown and I wantthe purses delivered here and ready to sell. When can we meet? Theparking lot of the supermarket on Adams Street. Tomorrow? Nine pm?Yes, I’ll be there.”

At theend of the conversation, I turned to hurry away and crashed intoLily. “Go!” I hissed.

“Where?” she hissed back.

I yankedopen the powder room and shoved her inside, then pushed the doorclosed. Standing outside, vacantly staring at the opposite wall, Ihoped my face wasn’t flushed with the sudden jolt ofadrenaline.

Charlaine opened the door, her eyes turning down at thescreen. She looked up and jumped, then held a hand to her heart.“Oh, I didn’t realize you were there!” she said with agasp.

“Hmm?” I replied, blinking and turning as if she suddenlysurprised me too. “Just waiting...” I said, pointing to the powderroom.

“Don’t take too long. We’ll start in a few minutes,” she saidas she edged past.

A momentlater, I opened the door. Lily stood in the dark, her arms crossed,pouting. “I couldn’t find the light switch,” she said as shestepped out.

“Sorry. It was the first thing I thought of and it worked.Charlaine didn’t suspect we were listening and it’s a good job wepulled it off. Not only is she selling fake purses but sheknowsshe is!”

Chapter Fifteen

"It'sparty time!" said Charlaine as she hastily tapped a spoon againsther glass and waited for the room to fall into silence. "Thank youall so much for coming and I know what you're all waiting for. Iwon't make you wait a moment longer. Here are the purses!" Shewaved and seconds later, the young female servers entered, carryinglarge trays with all the purses displayed smartly on them. Someoneset up a folding table for the trays.

"Pleasefeel free to pick up any of the purses. Open them. Inspect the finequality and imagine yourselves carrying one of these luxury purses.Everything is ten percent off tonight and I'll be taking yourorders and payments in the dining room," Charlainebubbled.

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