“I have only one question,” I said when the lunch was coming to an end. “Your wedding pictures—you had a Jewish wedding, didn’t you?”

“Definitely.”

“Did Natalie say she was Jewish?”

“She did, in fact, after she knew I was. I think she must have done a little research before the wedding because she needed her Hebrew name for the papers.”

“Interesting.”

“And she came up with it when she was asked.”

“She really loved you, Sandy.”

“I was a fool.”

“You’re a good-hearted person and you did nothing wrong.”

“Thanks, Chris.”

He settled our expense account and I refused to take anything for investigating. About a week later I heard that he had sent a very generous donation to the General Superior’s fund at St. Stephen’s Convent. He couldn’t have done better.

—

I took my inheritance and put it in the bank, where it will accumulate some interest while I think about what to do with it—or forget about it.

Months later, the following November, Jack and I drove into New York early on Thanksgiving Day, parked up near Columbia University, and took a bus down Broadway to Sixty-fourth Street. Then we walked over to Central Park West, passing the Statue of Liberty on the left and Olive’s building on the right. On the north corner we stood in the cold and watched the parade. It was everything I remembered and then some, the bands, the horses, the floats, and of course, the huge balloons that floated two stories above us. Jack bought me a balloon and tied it on my wrist, and I laughed a little and cried a little.

I will take my children someday and we will stand on that corner, and while they enjoy the moment, I will remember a time long ago, the happiness of being with my father, and a woman who wanted to make her peace.

For Frank Randall

who’s seen more parades than I have

The author wishes to thank Ana M. Soler, James L. V. Wegman, Alan E. Baker, C.P.A., Matthew G. Saltarelli, M.D., Walter Johnson, and Karen Shalom of the School of Art, Old Church Cultural Center, Demarest, New Jersey for their patience, cooperation, and invaluable information.

By Lee Harris

Published by Fawcett Books:

THE GOOD FRIDAY MURDER

THE YOM KIPPUR MURDER

THE CHRISTENING DAY MURDER

THE ST. PATRICK’S DAY MURDER

THE CHRISTMAS NIGHT MURDER

THE THANKSGIVING DAY MURDER