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Izzie leaned forward. “And why is that?”
Louise regained some composure and began to explain. “Uncle Mason was always talking about this Zoe woman. Zoe Danfield. How smart Zoe was. How interesting Zoe was. How cool and fashionable she was.”
Zoe bit her lip to keep herself from smiling.
“Anyhoo, I could tell Uncle Mason was rather smitten with her and was gutted when she left England.”
“She is sitting right here.” Zoe scowled at her.
“Yes. Of course. Sorry. My apologies. I wasn’t expecting this.”
“I am sure you were not. Please continue,” Izzie directed her.
“Uncle Mason had a bad go of it with his previous girlfriend. I knew he was quite besotted with you, Zoe.” She looked directly at her. “My boss asked me to pick someone and follow them for a week. It was part of my training. To file a report, that is.” She took another deep breath. “Uncle Mason said he might take a holiday and visit New York, but I wanted to be sure he wasn’t going to walk into a situation where he would be horribly crushed.”
“Therefore, you chose me as your assignment,” Zoe concluded.
“Yes. Exactly.” Louise lowered her head. “I meant no harm. Honestly. In fact, you can thank me for keeping you from bouncing onto the subway tracks.”
“That was you?” Zoe exclaimed.
“I saw someone nudge you and I was worried you might lose your footing, so I grabbed your sleeve.”
Zoe was mystified.
“I don’t think you would have fallen, but crowds on subway platforms can be dangerous. I knew if anything happened to you, Uncle Mason would be devastated.”
Zoe stared blankly. She was speechless, as was Izzie.
“I promise you Uncle Mason had nothing to do with my actions. I take full responsibility. When I told him, he was in the hospital and was thoroughly cheesed off. If you don’t believe me, you can ask him.”
“Hospital?” Zoe sprang forward.
Louise looked surprised. “Yes. Didn’t you know?”
Zoe felt a huge pang of guilt. “No. I did not. Is he alright?”
“He’s getting on. A sprained ankle. He’s back at his flat now.”
“But what happened?” Zoe asked with alarm.
“Something about a scaffold falling. A few feet of difference and he would have been a goner. Lucky, he is.”
Izzie and Zoe remained silent for a moment and then Zoe pulled out her cell phone and dialed Mason’s number.
“Zoe?” Mason answered immediately. “Is everything alright?” He was truly concerned. “I’ve been trying to reach you for days.”
“Yes. I know. I’m very sorry about that.” She pushed the speaker button so everyone could hear their conversation. “I’m sitting in an office in the Garment District with a woman named Louise Phillips.”
Mason’s voice boomed through the speaker. “You’re where? What? Louise?”
“Yes, Uncle Mason. Zoe and her friend Izzie are here.”
“But why? How?” Mason was totally befuddled.
“Honestly, Uncle Mason, I don’t know how they found me. I suppose they are better detectives than I am.” Louise frowned.
“I should think so.” Mason was filled with mixed emotions. Zoe had finally called him back. That was good. She and Izzie were with his niece. He wasn’t sure how to feel about that.
