Three Fates

the camera, she opened her purse.
    “Tia? It’s Tia Marsh, isn’t it?”
    The word eek sounded clearly in her head, nearly fell off her tongue as she spun around and stared at Anita.
    “I, um, oh. Hello.”
    “Casing the joint?”
    The blood that was pounding between Tia’s ears drained into her toes. “Excuse me?”
    “Well, you are the daughter of a competitor.” Anita chuckled, but her eyes were sharp as sabers as she slid an arm around Tia’s waist. “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you in Morningside before.”
    In the van, Malachi had to be forcibly restrained from charging out the door. “Hold on,” Jack snapped. “She’s fine. She’ll handle it. She knows this was a possibility.”
    “I haven’t been,” Tia managed and felt a smile try to wobble onto her face. Use it, she ordered herself. Use your fumbling ineptitude. “It seems so odd, you know, never having been inside. I had an appointment a few blocks away, so—”
    “Oh, where?”
    “With my holistic therapist.” The lie brought a blush to her cheeks and gave the claim perfect credence. “I know a lot of people think alternative medicine is hoodoo, but honestly, I’ve had such good results. Would you like her name? I think I have a card.”
    She started to open her purse again, but Anita cut her off. “That’s all right. I’ll just call you if I have a need for . . . hoodoo.”
    “Actually, well, that was just an excuse. I came in because I thought I might run into you. I had such a nice time at our lunch the other day, and I . . . I hoped we might be able to do it again.”
    “How sweet. I’ll check my calendar and give you a call.”
    “I’d really like that. I’m free most any time. I usually try to schedule my medical appointments in the morning so I can . . .” She trailed off, cleared her throat, took a couple of labored breaths. “Oh dear. Do you have a cat?”
    “A cat? No.”
    “Reaction. Something.” She began to wheeze until customers and clerks looked nervously in her direction. “Allergies. Asthma.”
    The wheezing and gulping air made her light-headed so that her stumble was genuine, and effective. She dragged the inhaler out of her purse, used it noisily.
    “Come on. Come with me. For heaven’s sake.” Anita dragged her into the elevator, jabbed the button for the fourth floor. “You’ll upset the customers.”
    “Sorry. Sorry.” She continued to suck on the inhaler while the thrill of success jolted through her system. “If I could sit down. Minute. Glass of water.”
    “Yes, yes.” She dragged Tia through the office suites. “Bring Dr. Marsh a glass of water,” she called out, then all but tossed Tia into a chair. “Put your head between your knees or something.”
    Tia obeyed, and grinned. In Anita’s manner was all the impatience and irritation the sturdily healthy feel for the sickly. “Water.” She croaked it, then watched Anita’s gorgeous shoes march across the gorgeous carpet.
    “Bring me a damn glass of water. Now!”
    By the time she spun back into the room, Tia had the last bug firmly attached to the bottom of her chair.
    “I’m sorry. So sorry.” Easing up, Tia let her head fall back weakly. “Such a bother. Such a nuisance. Are you sure you don’t have a cat?”
    “I ought to know if I have a goddamn cat.” She grabbed the water from her assistant’s hand and thrust it on Tia.
    “Of course you would. It’s just usually cats that cause that quick and violent a reaction.” She sipped the water slowly. “Then again, it could be pollen. From the flower arrangements, which are lovely by the way. My holistic therapist is putting me on a program that combines herbs, meditation, subliminal reinforcement and weekly purges. I’m very hopeful.”
    “Great.” Anita looked meaningfully at her watch. “Are you feeling better?”
    “Yes, very. Oh, you’re busy, and I’ve taken up so much of your time. My father hates his workday interrupted, and I’m sure you’re the same. I hope you’ll call about lunch soon. I . . . my treat,” she added and knew she sounded pathetic. “To thank you for your help today.”
    “I’ll be in touch. Let me walk you to the elevator.”
    “I hope I didn’t disrupt your day,” Tia began, then stopped as Anita’s assistant got to her feet.
    “Ms. Gaye, this is Detective Robbins, NYPD. He’d like to speak with you.”
    Tia controlled a hysterical urge to laugh. “Oh. My. Well. I should get out of your way. Thank you so