Page 100 of Head Room

“You said she’s stalling the sale,” Jennifer said.

“I didn’t say that.She’s certainly after the best deal for the museum, but I didn’t get the impression she wants to call off the negotiations.Tighten the thumbscrews, sure, but not doing anything to lose the chance to pull more into the coffers.”

“If it comes to that, I’d be more afraid of Mrs.P,” Mike said.“Theoretically.”

The rest of us chuckled.

“All right, all right.”

“Mike might have a point.If there’s anyone who could terrify a man into shooting himself in the head and setting fire to his home, it’s Mrs.P,” I said.

“You can laugh,” he said.“But I’m telling her you said that.When you’re least expecting it.”

And now the other three laughed at me.

“Before we go, I’ve got something else.Not connected,” Jennifer said.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

“It started withthat photo of you guys at lunch at Haber House—”

“What photo?”Diana asked.

“How’d you get it?”I asked.

Mike raised a hand.“I shared it with Jennifer.Needham sent copies of ones Stella took.Didn’t you get them, Elizabeth?”

I did, which I confirmed with a nod.

With impatience for our explanations, Jennifer said, “Sent it to that guy I know with the same software we’ll use on the quilts.It’s designed as some really lit facial recognition and—”

“Why?”Mike asked.“You knew who was in the photo.”

“Iknew.Hedidn’t.He’s always looking for photos that challenge his software with lesser-known people — no offense, but that table wasn’t exactly hot commodities.”

“Hey,” Mike objected.

Diana chuckled.

I felt philosophical.Being a hot commodity hadn’t been nearly as satisfying a period of my life as now was.

“Anyway, it’s not you guys.Well, his software did ID you all — even Needham.I figured Orson Jardine would snag because of his quitting recently.His resignation letter isallover the place.Mike and Elizabeth popped up because this algo loves TV.I keep telling him he needs to weight social media more.”

“Gee, thanks,” I muttered, not as philosophical about that.

“So, this guy’s facial recognition algorithm worked on them, but—”

Jennifer interrupted Diana.“It’s not them that matter—”

Both Mike and I said, “Gee, thanks,” this time.

“—It’s the guy in the background.”

That stopped our grumbling.

“What guy in the background?”Diana asked for all of us.

“Guy in a white shirt and jeans—” Since that’s what all three of the guys at our table had worn, that didn’t help much.“—and sitting with a blonde woman in a cowboy hat.Though why she was wearing it at lunch...”