Page 140 of Random in Death
She went out where Peabody and the doorman—Kyle—held a conversation about carpentry.
Apparently, Kyle’s father made his living with that particular skill, but Kyle never got a handle on it.
“If you see that guy again—Lloyd Mesner—tell him Dallas is watching.”
“Can do.”
“One thing? The Polka Dot Woman: Is she always a fuckhead, or was it just today’s trauma?”
Kyle’s lips twitched. “I shouldn’t say, seeing as building policy is never gossip about guests. But taking that as an official inquiry? Always.”
“Figured.” Eve walked back to the car. When Peabody got in, Eve sighed contentedly. “Well, that was fun.”
“You jump out in the street, tell me to take the wheel when you zoom off like a rocket.” She paused. “Actually, it was fun.”
Eve glanced at her wrist unit as she drove. “Didn’t take long. Charro’s still in New Jersey, Yancy’s working with Kiki and David. We head back, try the shop angle. If Charro’s got as many clients as she says, we should get some hits.
“How does it work? The personal shopping gig?”
“I’ve never had the wonder and privilege of trying it on either side. I’ll see what Charro does.”
Peabody took out her PPC, reading as they traveled downtown.
“For a new client, she does a consultation—no charge—in their home or place of business. She’ll also do remote consults. She verifies sizes, measurements, blah blah. I can click on a form here—a sample it looks like—dealing with colors, styles, lifestyle, price points, fabrics, hobbies, career, travel. Lots of stuff.”
“By the time you do all that, you could just go out and buy what the hell you wanted.”
“The idea is she gets to know you. You know, the personal in personal shopper. She brings a selection to you. Just want a suit? Fine. Want an entire seasonal wardrobe? Also fine. She sets it all up, helps you put pieces together, brings accessories, and if desired, jewelry selections with bonded security. Items are charged to her business account, or borrowed. Once the selections are made, she charges the client for the purchases, adds her fee. Travel expenses additional if outside Manhattan.”
“What’s the fee?”
“Ten percent of purchase—with a grand as minimum.”
“I’m betting she gets that from the venues, too. You bet your ass she does from venues she uses regularly.”
“I bet you’re right. At least a ten percent discount on what she buys for clients, or herself. Think about it. She buys those five pair of Stubens. That’s over seven K right there, one stop. She gets seven hundred and change from the venue, and another seven from the client. That’s a solid fifteen hundred, more depending, for one stop. Then she writes off her travel, car service, cab fare, whatever she uses.”
Peabody sat back. “If I ever turn in my papers, I want this gig. Oh wow! She’ll travel with clients—at their expense, natch. Paris, Milan, London, Tokyo, and more, and she’ll arrange private showings from designers on request.”
Eve pulled into the garage. “Let’s find out where she shops for teenage boys who dress like old, clueless accountants who never get laid.”
That made Peabody snicker on the way to the elevator.
“It’s no wonder he doesn’t know how to shop for himself, how to buy things that make him look like a regular teenager. He’s probably never shopped for himself, or on his own.”
As they got in the elevator, Peabody tapped her PPC. “Charro provides her services for babies, toddlers, and on up the scale.”
“How long has she been doing this?”
“Oh, right. Let’s see.” Working, Peabody shuffled back as the elevator stopped for more cops. “Okay, eleven years, with another six working in the industry in other capacities.”
After the third stop, Eve pushed out for the glides.
“Start with specialty venues. Men’s shops that carry boys’ wear. Shops geared to teens, but upscale. Then department stores, high-end. Large purchases. Would he still be growing?”
“Maybe. Pretty sure he would’ve been last year, the year before.”
“We look at that. Five pair of shoes at one go, figure that wardrobe deal, or a chunk of it. Button-down shirt. If you’re buying a button-down shirt, you might as well buy half a dozen, different colors.”