Page 79 of Save the Date
“Well?” Lillian Fanning hadn’t moved. “What did he say? Did he find it?”
Cara’s throat was so dry she thought she might spit cotton. “Um, actually I couldn’t reach him. He’s probably out on Wilmington Island. There’s a dead zone there, do you know the spot? Right on Johnny Mercer? My cell calls always get dropped there.”
“Did you leave him a message? Does he understand how important this is?”
“I did, and we both understand how important this is. I promise, Lillian, as soon as he calls me, I’ll call you. I feel sure the epergne probably just spilled out of the bin in the back of the van, and Bert didn’t notice it.”
“I hope that’s the case,” Lillian said huffily. “That epergne is a family heirloom. It was made by a Savannah silversmith in the eighteenth century, and of course, it’s a museum-quality piece, which means it’s irreplaceable.”
All she could do was nod and walk Lillian to the door.
“I’ll call,” Cara promised, yet again.
***
After Lillian’s departure, Cara called Torie’s wedding photographer.
“Billy? It’s Cara. Can you do me a huge favor? I know you haven’t delivered the proof book from the Fanning wedding yet, but I’ve got a problem. Can you look through your shots of the reception and see if you’ve got one of the table for gifts and cards? I’m looking for a shot of this silver epergne we used to hold cards. It’s gone missing, and if it doesn’t turn up, I’m in a shitload of trouble.”
“Damn, Cara,” Billy Shook said. “Was it Lillian’s?”
“Unfortunately.”
“Damn. I don’t ever want to deal with that woman again. I feel your pain, Cara. Pretty sure I’ve got at least one shot like that. I’ll look right now and email you whatever I find.”
Half an hour and two more panicky phone calls later, she heard the van pull into the lane in back of the shop. It was nearly ten o’clock.
Cara did a slow burn while she waited to confront her assistant.
He strolled in through the back door, whistling. His damp hair was slicked back from his forehead, still bearing comb marks. He carried two grande iced macchiatos, one of which he handed to Cara, with his most ingratiating smile.
“I know I’m a little late. Before you say anything, I’m sorry. Okay? Whew—it’s hot in here. What’s going on with Sylvia Bradley? Are they gonna fix the air, or what?”
“We’ll get to that,” Cara said. “First off, why haven’t you returned any of my phone calls?”
His face went blank. “Calls?” He reached into the pocket of his black skinny jeans and pulled out his phone. “Oh man. My battery’s dead. Sorry. I didn’t even realize. I left my charger at home.”
“Second—this is the second Monday in a row that you’ve been over an hour late. And not a word to give me a heads-up. I’m running a business here, Bert. We’ve got orders to fill, deliveries to get out, work to do. What’s going on with you?”
He shrugged and stared down at the floor. “Nothing. Hey, I said I was sorry.…”
“And last week you said the same thing, and that it wouldn’t happen again. This isn’t like you, Bert. As your employer—and your friend—I think I deserve some kind of explanation.”
“It’s nothing. I went out of town for the weekend, and we were delayed getting back this morning, and like I said, I left my phone charger at home.”
“‘We’? This is a new boyfriend?”
“Maybe,” he said, his expression sullen. “Since when does my private life become any of your business?”
Cara felt her spine stiffen and her temples start to pound. “You make it my business when your private life interferes with your ability to do your job. Which is what’s been happening the past two weeks. I wasn’t going to say anything, because I was happy for you. But you leave me no choice. You disappear for hours at a time, slack off, ignore phone calls, come in late… and now this thing with Lillian’s silver epergne…”
“What about the silver? C’mon, Cara. I told you I took the damned silver back to that bitch.…”
“There’s a piece missing. Lillian Fanning showed up here this morning, loaded for bear, and I can’t say I blame her. Which is what I wastryingto call you about. I wanted you to check to see if maybe it had fallen out of the bin and was in the back of the van. But you couldn’t be bothered to keep your phone charged. Or to come to work on time.”
Bert shook his head obstinately. “Whyare you making such a federal case out of this? I’ll go look right now.”
“Fine,” Cara said. “Go look.”
