Such a Beautiful Family: A Thriller(29)

“Love you, too.” She gave him another squeeze.

“Have fun, Mom,” Hailey said from the top of the stairs.

Sadness crept over Nora. Hailey used to follow her around, always tugging at the hem of her blouse or dress to get her attention. Those days seemed to be long gone.

“Get down here,” David said, “and give your mom a hug goodbye.”

Thumping footfalls as she made her way down the stairs were followed by a dramatic show of flailed arms and groaning. It was the same thing she did whenever Nora asked her to unload the dishwasher. Hailey flounced across the entryway and gave Nora a limp-armed hug.

“I’ll miss you, too.” Nora hugged her tight. “Smile,” she said. “It’s Thanksgiving in a few days. Time to start thinking about all the things you have to be grateful for.”

Hailey broke away. “Who’s going to cook the turkey?”

Nora looked at David. “You, Trevor, and Dad.”

Another groan from Hailey.

“Okay, time to go,” David said. “I expect you both to be ready for school when I return.”

By the time Nora’s luggage was in the trunk and she was buckled into the car, only Trevor stood at the door waving goodbye. She waved back, refusing to let Hailey’s nonchalance about her departure get to her. Being a teenager today couldn’t be easy: hormonal changes, establishing an identity and self-expression. It was a lot to deal with. Nora didn’t even want to think about Hailey driving. The notion made her tense. She drew in a breath. She needed to talk to Hailey and rebuild that connection they used to have. One more thing she needed to put on the back burner until she returned.

Nora was having a difficult time concentrating on the task ahead of her. Once she reached her destination, she would need to practice her sales pitch, using Jane’s words verbatim: Let our software do the heavy lifting so that your employees can focus on core business tasks and revenue-generating activities.

David had turned on the radio and appeared deep in thought as music played in the background. She wondered what he was thinking. She could ask him, but the thought of doing so bothered her because they had always been so close, so good at communicating, that she’d never felt the need to pick at or prod him before. He was usually the talkative one out of the two of them. “Is everything all right?” she asked him.

“Sure. I’m going to miss you, that’s all.”

Something more was eating away at him. She’d known him for too long to miss the signs. But this, too, would have to wait. “I’ll miss you, too.”





CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Nora had been at Terminal B for an hour and still no sign of Jane. She had called and texted Jane but had received no reply. She called the receptionist at IMPACT, who said she hadn’t seen Jane but would leave a message for her to call when and if she showed up.

“We are now inviting those passengers with small children, and any passengers requiring special assistance, to begin boarding at this time. Please have your boarding pass and identification ready. Regular boarding will begin in approximately ten minutes’ time. Thank you.”

Next, Nora called David.

He picked up on the first ring. “Hi, honey. How’s it going?”

“Jane hasn’t shown. I’ve already texted her and tried calling. I also called work and left a message. We’re boarding now, and I’m frantic.”

“Calm down. Take a breath. I’m sure she’ll show up, but if she misses the flight, I’m sure she can hop on the next one. Do you have the confirmation number for the hotel where you’re staying?”

“Yes. I have everything I need. A car will be in Paris to take us—me—there when we arrive.” Nora inhaled.

“You’ve got this. You’ve been preparing for weeks. There is no reason to panic.”

He was right. She felt like a fool. What had happened to the strong, independent Nora who had worked her entire life for a moment like this? “Thanks,” she said. “I’ll call when I get to my room.”

“Love you.”



Nora arrived at the Four Seasons Hotel George V around midnight. She was given a message at the desk: I have been detained, but all is fine. I will call you tomorrow. Until then, enjoy every moment in Paris. JB

Jane Bell was a meticulous and timely woman, and although Nora was curious to know what had happened, all the worrying had been exhausting. She crumbled the piece of paper with the message into a ball in her fist and tossed it in the garbage.

The hotel was spectacular. The staff was friendly and accommodating. Once she was in her room, she called home to let David know she’d arrived, unpacked, took a shower, and ordered room service: grilled french blue lobster and seasonal vegetables. She wasn’t sure when she would return to Paris, and she was determined to make the most of it.

The plush mattress and the softest sheets she’d ever slept between made for a good night’s sleep. Nora awoke the next morning feeling rested despite the twelve-hour flight. After taking her time getting ready, she checked her phone to see if Jane had called.

Nope. Feeling irked that Jane couldn’t make time to give her a call, she decided to take advantage of her first day in Paris. After registering for the show, which didn’t officially begin until tomorrow, she would hire a chauffeured car to drive her around and see the best of what the city had to offer.