5 Deal Killer by Vicki Doudera Page A

that’s indeed what a day devoted to disguise and way too much sugar really was—a holiday) that had prompted their meeting.
    Gina’s business partner, Bethany, had suggested they check out a new bar on the Friday before Halloween. When Gina demurred, complaining that she didn’t own a costume, Bethany merely laughed. “I’ll bring something for you and meet you right after work,” she said. Gina couldn’t think of any more excuses, and so she’d said okay.
    The weather had been very different on that Friday afternoon.
    Gina recalled a cold rain that poured down from gray skies, the kind of day that made Manhattan look its worst. Nevertheless, Bethany’d bustled in, costumes in hand, bringing along an extra one, because that was the way she was. “In case we meet someone else,” she’d said. The outfits were minimal but striking, befitting two women hoping to launch a vintage clothing store: three exquisite feather hats, two sets of silk gloves, a mink stole, and a beautifully beaded purse.
    “You call this a Halloween costume?” scoffed Gina. “I’m not going out in this lame excuse for a—”
    “Ta-da!” Bethany brought the piece de resistance from behind her back: three grinning Barbara Bush masks. “Well?”
    “Now you’re talking.” That was the thing about Bethany: she was full of surprises.
    Gina smiled at the memory, dodging the passersby and continuing her route toward the bus stop. Where exactly had she and Bethany met up with Natalia? The elevator? Gina thought back … no, it had been in the spa. They’d headed down to the spa and fitness floor to get dressed and have a quick hit off a joint Bethany had smuggled in her raincoat, and who had they nearly collided with in the women’s dressing room but Natalia Kazakova.
    She was sweaty, and wearing workout clothes. Her face seemed pale, and the skin around her eyes puffy, as if she’d been crying. The two business partners exchanged glances before Gina spoke.
    “Hey, you live in the building, right?”
    A hesitant nod. “Yes. I’m called Natalia.”
    “Gina, Gina Trovata. I work for a family on the eighteenth floor. This is my friend, Bethany.”
    Nods were exchanged, and Gina continued. “We’re headed out to have a few drinks for Halloween, and we have an extra costume. Why don’t you join us?”
    Natalia looked from left to right and seemed to consider the request. “I don’t know, I—”
    “We’ve got a costume for you,” Bethany said brightly. “It’s nothing crazy or anything. We’re only going a few blocks from here—”
    “I thank you, but I cannot attend.” The woman gave a sharp downward nod as if to emphasize her answer. “I cannot.”
    Again the partners traded glances. “Is everything okay?” Gina asked. “You seem upset.”
    “I am fine.” The young woman nodded emphatically.
    “You’ve been crying …” Bethany’s observation was interrupted by a noise that sounded like a bark.
    “Natalia!”
    The girl started, and responded immediately. “That is my bodyguard. I must go. Again, I thank you for your kind invitation. I will not forget it.”
    Gina remembered that she’d slipped from the room, her dark hair bobbing as she fled.
    And that had been her one and only encounter with the wealthy Natalia Kazakova, until today’s chance meeting in the foyer. And the man with her? Was he an old friend? A Russian relative visiting New York? Or someone she’d met in one of her classes? She tried to place the young man’s face.
    Gina reached the bus stop. She paused to catch her breath and saw the bus lumbering down the road toward her.
    _____
    Out of a voluminous leopard-spotted pocketbook, Peggy Babson pulled Detective Benedetti’s business card. She checked to see that no one was outside her office door and dialed the number.
    He answered on the first ring. “Benedetti here.”
    Breathlessly, she gave her name. “I may have more information on the killing of the Russian man,” she said. “The one