The Gift of a Lifetime

by Melissa Hill

  Ryan smiled that smile at her – that one that had made her weak in the knees the first time they met, that made her forget everything – but for some reason it wasn’t having quite the same effect just then.

  She walked slowly towards him, gradually closing the distance between them.

  ‘Beth, what are you doing here?’ he said, looking genuinely delighted to see her.

  ‘Hey…’ she murmured quietly. ‘It was you all along. I thought it might be. Especially after this morning…’

  Ryan’s face lit up with adoration. ‘Beth, I think you and I both know we’ve been on the same wavelength right from the beginning,’ he whispered, reaching for her. ‘You’re right. This morning, I knew that we were meant to be together, too; and now seeing you here … Did you end it with Danny then? I must admit I didn’t expect that you’d do it so soon … But I’m delighted you did.’

  Dealing with the last question initially, Beth shook her head, but for the first time she didn’t feel guilty – just completely sure of what she had to do. ‘Not yet, but I will now – now that I know it’s really you.’

  He chuckled, looking a little uncertain. ‘Of course it’s me. Who else would it be?’

  ‘You know, you really had me guessing for a while,’ she continued. ‘I felt so confused at times, to be honest. But in the end, I got it right. I put all the pieces together and they led me here. Just like you said this morning, there are no coincidences.’

  Ryan reached for her and pulled her into his arms. ‘I think I fell in love with you the moment I met you,’ he said. ‘That day at the store. And I just knew we would end up together. I knew that you would be mine. And I was determined, no matter what, to make that happen.’

  Though Beth had imagined many times what it might feel like to have Ryan’s arms around her, now that was happening she felt … strange.

  ‘Well, I admire your tenacity,’ she said, wanting to keep talking for some reason. ‘You certainly made a hell of an effort putting this whole thing together in such a short space of time.’

  A brief look of confusion crossed his features, but then he chuckled. ‘I did, didn’t I?’

  Beth looked at his face, unable to believe that this was really the end of the trail, and that she’d been right all along. Yet why did it all feel so … wrong?

  ‘Especially this morning,’ she babbled on. ‘You have no idea just how confused I felt last night. I was so sure that I had figured it out but yet something wasn’t adding up. And then, of course, when the painting arrived while we had so conveniently gone to brunch, by the same bike messenger who has been popping up through this whole thing – well, I just knew for sure. You were trying to tell me I had figured it out, weren’t you? That I shouldn’t discount the last clue. And of course the painting led me here. You certainly did your homework. How incredible that the Monet was part of this exhibition, and that the boat exhibition was taking place at the weekend. What I don’t get, though, is how you managed to rope in Tiffany’s and the Waldorf…’

  Beth’s voice trailed off, immediately sensing that something was wrong. Ryan was silent and certainly wasn’t acting like she’d expected, laughing and confessing everything about the entire set-up. Her gaze met his and just as she was about to ask him what was wrong, he spoke first.

  ‘What are you talking about, Beth?’ he asked. ‘What painting?’

  She furrowed her brow and tilted her head, pointing at the wall where the Monet hung. ‘Well, that one, of course – or really, the copy the artist I met in the park last night had painted. You know, it’s a very good copy, but seeing the real thing now – well, there’s no comparison, is there?’ She smiled. ‘And of course, when it was delivered and I saw what it was, I knew that I was right about The Thomas Crown Affair being the movie in the clue.’

  Ryan laughed nervously and bit his lip. ‘I’m sorry; I don’t mean to ruin the moment, Beth, but what clue? And what’s all this about Tiffany’s and the Waldorf? I’m sorry but I really have no idea what you’re talking about.’

  ‘Of course you do,’ she argued, laughing, but her voice lacked conviction. ‘Stop playing coy.’

  But Ryan just continued to stare at her as if she was speaking a foreign language.

  Trying to make sense of what was happening, as well as Ryan’s obvious confusion, Beth’s mind suddenly shot through a range of emotions – bewilderment, doubt and finally, understanding.

  She took a hesitant step back, her heart thumping with adrenalin. ‘You’re not joking, are you? You really don’t know what this is about.’

  Seemingly taken aback by her sudden change in mood, Ryan appeared unsure what to do with his hands. He reached out for Beth momentarily, but identifying a very clear transformation in her demeanour, decided instead to stuff his hands in his pockets.

  ‘I – I am actually not sure what I’m supposed to be joking about,’ he said, looking deflated. ‘What were you saying … about movies and clues and stuff? And The Thomas Crown Affair? What the hell is that?’

  Beth shook her head as if trying to convince him that he must know what she was talking about and was simply suffering from a temporary bout of amnesia, or determined to continue playing dumb. But if this was the case she couldn’t determine why. Another movie re-enactment of some sort maybe? If so she certainly didn’t think she’d seen it.

  ‘Yes, The Thomas Crown Affair. The movie with Rene Russo and Pierce Brosnan. That painting was in it. San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk.’ She pointed again to the wall where the Monet was hanging.

  Ryan turned to see what she was indicating, as if he hadn’t been aware of what he had been looking at moments previously, and turned back to her. ‘Really? Well, that’s cool.’

  But Beth was having none of this sudden ambiguity. ‘Of course you had to know that, because how else would you have put the clue together?’ She swallowed hard, feeling a chill creep up her spine.

  But Ryan merely smiled and shrugged. ‘Sorry, never saw that movie. And I had no idea about the painting.’

  She stood open-mouthed, looking at him, trying to make sense of his words. ‘You never saw … wait. So, you just did a bit of research, then? Of course you did,’ she continued, now sounding as if she was trying to convince the both of them. ‘Hold on. So what about…?’ She thought back through each clue that she had been given. Surely there was some sort of mistake?

  ‘What about Romancing the Stone? Have you seen that?’

  He pondered for a second. ‘Years ago, I think. But what does it matter if—’

  ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s?’

  Again, appearing to summon his memory, he nodded vaguely. ‘Yeah, certain parts, here and there.’

  ‘So when we were talking about movies all those times – my favourite New York movies,’ Beth asked, everything gradually starting to become clearer, ‘it was just simple chit-chat?’ She swallowed as realisation finally hit home – and sunk in.

  Again, Ryan looked baffled. ‘Beth, I’m really not sure what you—’

  ‘What about The Seven Year Itch?’ she continued glumly, already knowing the answer.

  To this, he smiled broadly. ‘The Marilyn Monroe flick? Well, sure, I mean I know of it, but I’m not sure if I’ve ever watched the whole thing … I mean, who doesn’t remember that shot of her in that dress?’

  Beth couldn’t even be persuaded to smile at this point. ‘Did you know that that scene was originally filmed right here in New York?’

  ‘Seriously? Where?’

  She raised her hands to her face and rubbed her temples, unable to believe what was happening. ‘Oh, God. I got this all wrong.’

  ‘Got what wrong?’ Ryan asked, his handsome features falling once again into confusion. ‘Hey, Beth, I know you love movies and everything, but is it really that big a deal if I haven’t seen those ones? I mean, we have plenty of time to see them together.’

  Beth turned her attention back to Ryan and realized that in just a few moments everything had changed. He didn’t e
ven look the same to her any more – she had miscast him. She had put him in a role he wasn’t suited for. Everything was suddenly crystal clear, and she couldn’t believe that she had got it so wrong.

  She turned back to Jodi, who up until this point had been quietly observing the exchange from a distance. But it was clear that she had also figured out what was going on. She too understood Beth’s mistake, and duly stepped forward to help out her friend.

  ‘Sorry, Ryan, I think Beth’s made a mistake,’ Jodi said without looking at him. She was focused on Beth, who was looking unsteadily all around her, as if she was about to crumple to the ground. ‘You OK, honey?’

  She shook her head. ‘No, not at all. It’s not him, Jodi. I got it wrong and I thought I—’

  ‘It’s OK, an easy mistake.’ Jodi cut her off when she realized that Ryan was still very much invested in this conversation. She turned to him and smiled the way a person might at a child. ‘Ryan, sweetie, Beth’s going to have to call you later. There’s been a misunderstanding and I think that she needs some space.’

  Her point was perfectly plain, but Beth was so embarrassed she found that she couldn’t even bring herself to look at Ryan for his reaction. She wondered now if she had led him on throughout all of this, made him think there was a chance she would change her mind about being with him. Especially this morning.

  The thrill of the treasure hunt and her suspicion that he was behind it had evidently modified her behaviour towards him accordingly. She was mortified. Was this all her fault? She had cast him in a leading role, and now knew that he wasn’t her knight in shining armour, never really could have been. She had imagined Ryan to be someone that he was not; had imbued him with the most romantic and attractive characteristics of her favourite romantic heroes. Had she ever really seen him for who he was, or was she so completely taken by what she wanted him to be?

  And something else was apparent to her.

  There is such a thing as coincidence. Ryan’s presence here alone was the biggest coincidence of them all. Granted, it was his day off too, this new exhibition was being promoted all over the city, and it wasn’t unreasonable for someone new to New York to want to visit one of its famed museums, but still …

  If Ryan wasn’t the one who’d set up the treasure hunt, then his being here at the museum was immaterial.

  And perhaps more importantly, Beth concluded then, it meant that the search was not yet over.

  Her mind spinning with questions, Beth allowed Jodi to deal with Ryan, and slumped down on the bench directly in front of the Monet. She looked up at the painting and considered it. Real versus fake.

  Feeling lost in a sea of confusion, she was summoned back into reality when Jodi sat down heavily on the bench next to her.

  ‘I got rid of him. I don’t mind doing your dirty work, honey, but I think you will probably still need to call him later. He’s really confused and, to be frank, completely love sick over you,’ her friend said.

  Beth put her head in her hands and groaned. ‘I can’t believe I got this so wrong.’

  Jodi stayed silent and Beth was glad that for once she’d decided not to offer her opinion. She already felt like enough of an idiot as it was – she didn’t need Jodi hammering it home.

  ‘Well, you know what this means then, don’t you?’ her friend said, nudging her, clearly wanting Beth to snap out of it.

  She groaned again. ‘Of course I know what it means.’ She looked up at Jodi and forced a smile. ‘There’s must be another clue. This thing isn’t over yet.’

  Chapter 35

  Beth continued to sit on the bench in confused silence while Jodi worked through the possible options. Indeed, at that moment it was her friend who was more engaged in the treasure hunt because Beth was struggling to figure out how she felt, let alone what she should do next.

  If Ryan hadn’t set this up, then who had? And why? Billy? If so, then wouldn’t he be here? As far as Beth knew he was still at his post in Gold Street, and would be all day.

  Which left only one realistic possibility.

  Danny’s name automatically popped into her brain, but she couldn’t fathom how – or why – he would do such a thing, given his recent preoccupations. Or was there a chance she’d got all that wrong too?

  ‘Hey, Beth, come on now, snap out of it,’ Jodi chided. ‘Let’s get on with this. You said it yourself time and time again. You need to finish this.’

  She shook her head. ‘I don’t know. I mean, what’s the point? And who the hell is behind this? If it’s not Ryan – and it really couldn’t be Danny – then why should I press on with it? You said it yourself; who else would do it? Who would go to this much effort?’

  Jodi shrugged. ‘I don’t know, honey, but I am betting it’s someone who knows you and cares about you. There’s no other way to explain it. Obviously Ryan didn’t know enough to do this for you. He cares about you, but he doesn’t know you. But someone else sure does.’

  Beth shook her head. Needless to say she had absolutely no interest in Billy, and would be mortified if this had anything to do with him. She was prepared to admit to herself now that part of the reason she’d pursued this so doggedly was because she’d suspected Ryan from the very start, and for as long as she was enjoying their flirtation, was only too happy to go along with it.

  ‘This is nuts. I can’t keep up with it.’ She turned to Jodi and for the first time in the entire quest, realized she felt angry. ‘You said it yourself. This isn’t a romantic Christmas movie – some merry romp across New York City – and no matter what I might have believed, things don’t always work out for the best. You were right all along.’

  ‘Stop it, Beth. That’s not you. You don’t believe that. And I know what I said before, but I don’t want you to be that way. I don’t want you to turn out like me, all bitter and angry. Don’t be like me,’ Jodi repeated quietly, the last words catching in her throat.

  Undeterred by her friend’s pleading, Beth carried on. ‘No, I’ve decided. That’s it. I walked into this museum believing that something incredible was going to happen, that it would be … transformative somehow, and do you know something? Regardless of what has happened in this room – and what has happened up until this point – I’m going to stay true to that. I am going to leave this museum a new woman. I’m going to start afresh. No more fairy tales and make-believe for me. I am going to see everything through a lens of clarity. I am going to be firmly based in reality and live my life knowing that movies are just pure fabrication. Nothing that happens on the silver screen happens in real life – at least not to most people.’

  Jodi reached out and touched her friend’s arm. ‘OK, that makes sense, but what about the rest of the hunt? I’ll still help you, you know. We can find the next clue, see this thing out and—’

  ‘And then what?’ Beth questioned, cutting her friend off, her voice growing louder, angrier and more heated. ‘What’s next? Another clue, and another and another? No thanks, I’m finished. No more – you’re probably right too, Jodi. This could be the work of a stalker and I am not going to be some victim…’

  Beth was finished. She was angry, confused and she was also incredibly frustrated. She banged both hands against the bench in irritation.

  ‘Whoa, Beth, calm down,’ Jodi gasped, just as a loud thud came from under the seat, as if it had been cracked in two.

  Shocked because she hadn’t intended to break the bench, Beth looked around to see if anyone had noticed what she had just done. Indeed, the noise had attracted a few stares from other people in the gallery. She looked down at the bench, her face heated with mortification. ‘Shit, did I break something?’ But the seat seemed intact.

  Jodi chuckled. ‘This is pretty solid wood, Wonder Woman. I don’t think so. But seriously, no more going all Avengers-like on me – we’re going to get kicked out of this place. And quit the stroppy toddler act too.’

  This elicited a laugh from Beth and she finally began to feel her spirits lift. ‘All right, poi
nt taken. Come on. I need to get out of here. Preferably before they throw us out.’

  ‘But what about the clue?’ Jodi reminded her, her attention back on the painting.

  Beth waved a hand. She felt exhausted by it all. ‘I meant what I said. I’m finished. No more clues. I’m going home.’ She stood up and, waiting for Jodi to follow her lead, she placed her hands on her hips and arched her back, stretching. ‘I’m seriously tired. I think I need to go home and sleep – or take Brinkley out for a walk – or something.’ She closed her eyes and moved her head around on her shoulders, releasing tension in her neck. When she opened her eyes again, Jodi was still stubbornly sitting on bench, staring at her. ‘Come on, I’m ready to go. Let’s get out of—’

  But as Beth looked down at Jodi, she noticed there was something under the bench, something that had not been there before. Of that, she was sure.

  ‘Hey, what’s this?’ She squatted down to retrieve the object and realized that this must have been the cause of the thud that they had heard just a minute ago. Something had fallen off the bench; perhaps a bolt or something that held it together …

  Reaching out and picking it up, all at once Beth realized what it was.

  A key.

  ‘Where did that come from?’ Jodi asked, bending down to look.

  But Beth didn’t answer. What was a key doing under the bench? She peered beneath the seat, looking at the bottom, and realized that it seemed to have fallen from the underside of the wood. An errant piece of duct tape had been holding it in place, along with a piece of paper.

  A note.

  Suddenly, and despite herself, Beth felt herself being pulled straight back into the search. Without a doubt, she knew the key was the next clue. This is why she had been brought to the Met, to this exhibit, this gallery and this painting.

  In the film The Thomas Crown Affair, she recalled that by hiding a briefcase under a bench just like this in the movie, Pierce Brosnan had been able to carry off the heist at the Met. This clue was channelling that scene.