Leaves Read Free Page B

“I’ll call you soon, right after we move a few more pieces.”
    Tyler hefted the portfolio. “That’d be great.”
    â€œTyler, it’s really just a cyclical thing.”
    Tyler offered a half-smile as he began to exit the gallery.

**^^^**

    This was as close as this town ever came to being hectic. It was barely past ten in the morning, and already a dozen or so people had stopped by the Oldham Visitors Bureau for information, brochures, recommendations or – in the case of one woman – simply to talk about the passing of her husband in the spring. Corrina Gold Warren laid out some local maps and a stack of cards announcing an upcoming tasting at the new gourmet shop and readied herself for a steady flow of traffic. She’d be alone until noon and then Perry and Jean would join her until Corrina left at four.
    Corrina had been running the Bureau for the past six years and she knew October was always the busiest month. Most years, the increased activity excited her, gave her an approximation of the rush she assumed her husband Gardner got every time he started a new case. This year, though, it was just distracting. There was too much else to do before the end of the month. Too much that no one other than she could take care of, no matter what any of them thought.
    Corrina turned as the door opened. A guy in his late twenties entered, looking around before settling his eyes on her.
    â€œHi, I’m wondering if you could help me.”
    â€œI’ll do my best.”
    â€œI remember reading in Connecticut magazine a few years ago that there was a fife-and-drum museum in this town. I spent all day yesterday looking for it and I couldn’t find it. Is it gone?”
    â€œIt’s actually a couple of towns over in Ivoryton.”
    â€œAre you sure?”
    â€œIt’s kind of my job to be sure.”
    The guy smiled. “Right, I guess it would be.”
    Corrina slid a map across the counter and took out a pen. “Here, I’ll show you how to get there.”
    A few minutes later, he was on his way, armed with three brochures for places of interest related to the American Revolution as well as the title of Corrina’s favorite history of the war. As he left, a woman in two-hundred-dollar jeans and a Versace sweatshirt entered with her Brooks-Brothers-casual husband trailing behind her.
    â€œCan you tell me where I can get a facial around here?” the woman said.
    A facial? Your valet couldn’t make the trip? “There’s a world-class spa in Old Saybrook that I’m sure has everything you’re looking for.”
    The woman nodded. “And someplace quaint and New England-y for lunch.”
    Corrina knew exactly whom she was dealing with here. This couple had made the two-and-a-half hour drive from the Upper East Side to “get away” for a few days, dusting themselves with preconceived notions of these environs, but not willing to stray too far from their creature comforts. The restaurant recommendation was easy. There were any number of places in town that could provide precisely the experience they looked for. The local equivalent of a chain restaurant.
    As they left, the husband pulled out his cell phone and glared at it. “Is there anyplace around here where the reception doesn’t suck?” he said angrily.
    â€œSorry, sir. The Town Council has repeatedly fought the construction of a microwave tower in Oldham.”
    He shook his head and turned toward his wife. “Someone should tell these people what century we’re in.” The woman shrugged as they exited.
    â€œYou’re welcome,” Corrina said once the door was closed. It wasn’t that she’d never heard the complaint before – dozens of times from Gardner, in fact – but she was just so much less willing to hear it from someone who didn’t have the faintest notion why the Town Council might take that position.
    The next