Most of the uniformed guards stayed in the lobby, probably to wrangle the press so that other guests had a chance of walking through the lobby without being brained by a boom mic.
Shad and Rowe took up posts near the door, with us behind them. I looked at the line of their suits and knew where everyones gun was, and that Shad was carrying something extra in his pocket, and Rowe had something on his ankle. I was betting the ankle was a small gun, but the pocket could have been a lot of things, just not a gun. Not a gun opened up a wealth of possibilities.
Jason leaned over and whispered, I would accuse you of checking them out, but youre looking for weapons, arent you?
I just nodded.
He hugged me one-armed and gave an excited sound, almost a laugh, but not. His eyes were bright with anticipation.
I whispered, How many of these girls are old girlfriends?
All of them.
How many are old lovers?
He grinned. Most of them.
Great.
He hugged me tighter. Ill be good, I promise.
Youre always good, Jason, I said out loud, but will you behave?
He gave me a look, and the look was enough. Hed try, but no, the honest answer, was no. I sighed and settled back against the wall as the elevator came to a stop. We had, of course, gone all the way to the top. The rich and powerful always seem to prefer the tops of buildings. Hasnt anyone ever explained to them that higher just means you have farther to fall?
32
S HADWELL STEPPED OFF the elevator first. Rowe stayed with us. Id had enough bodyguards of my own not to argue. When Shadwell was certain it was safe, hed let us know. He stepped to one side with a nod and Rowe motioned us forward.
That was the most serious bodyguarding theyd done, and it made me nervous. Were there threats on Keith Summerlands life? If so, Jason and he looked enough alike that it could be a serious problem. Maybe there was more than one reason that we suddenly had guards. Shit.
One of the doors in the hallway had Peterson standing sort of at attention by it. Chuck was talking low and urgently to him. So this was where the two of them had vanished to.
Chuck turned, and gave Jason a look. It was neither friendly nor unfriendly, but it wasnt a good look. It was more as if he were trying to see Jason, see what he was made of, and what it meant. I didnt like the look. It meant Chuck was thinking too hard about Jason. We were leaving this town in a day. That look was too serious for in twenty-four hours were gone.
Chuck smoothed his suit jacket where it had bunched over his gun, and said, over his shoulder, as he moved past us for the elevator, Its your ball until I get back, Peterson.
You arent technically my superior, Ralston.
So Chuck did have a last name after all. Peterson didnt sound very happy with him by any name.
Chuck walked past us like we werent there. The uniformed guard was holding the doors of the elevator open as if hed been ordered to. If you dont like it, Peterson, call the governor, see who he thinks is in charge tonight.
Petersons face closed down, fighting for blankness, but his hands flexed, and I knew pissed when I saw it. What had been happening between the two of them while wed been in Shadwell and Rowes tender care? Something was up; question was, what? It was none of my business; I kept repeating that in my head like a mantra. Jason had gotten me to promise that I would not mess with Chuck, but God, he made it hard not to yank his chain.
I was good. I let Chuck get on the elevator. Let the doors close, and said not a word.
Jason squeezed my hand and kissed my cheek.
What was that for? I asked.
For being good. I dont know why, but Chuck seems to make you want to pick at him.
You, too, Mr. Kiss-Me-in-the-Parking-Garage.
Jason actually looked embarrassed, which I didnt get to see often. I treasured it for the rare gift it was, and we were left facing Peterson. Him I didnt want to mess with; he seemed sort of harassed. Or maybe hed been nice at the hospital and it cut him more slack than Chuck.
Shadwell and Rowe were still with us like good bodyguards. Until Shadwell had gone all serious getting out of the elevator, Id begun to suspect they were guarding us to make sure we didnt do anything embarrassing to the Summerlands as much as they were guarding us from the press. But the exit from the elevator had been too real. I could leave Chuck alone, but I needed to know what was up from someone.
You have about a half hour until theentertainment arrives. He said entertainment like it hurt.
Are you kicking us out then? I asked.
He shook his head. I just assumed that Mr. Schuyler would be more comfortable leaving then, but no, I dont have any orders for when you leave the party, or if. Again, his voice said he didnt like it.
Jason said, Im sorry if our coming to the party is a problem.
Peterson looked surprised, but recovered himself. I think you mean that. You may look like Keith, but you dont sound like him.
Shadwell and Rowe stiffened beside me, as if they werent used to Peterson being quite that honest.
Jason gave him a bright smile. Thats one of the nicest things anyones ever said to me.
Not true and I knew it, but it made Peterson smile, and I think that was what Jason wanted. Jason liked everyone to be happy if he could manage it.
The door opened behind us, and a flock of blond women who all looked like Jasons sisters should have looked swarmed over him, squealing happy cries of Jason, Jason! They pulled him into the room, and he went, laughing.
I was left in the hallway with the bodyguards. Peterson looked at me. It was a wondering-what-Id-do look. Was he worried Id be jealous? Was that part of why he hadnt wanted us here?
Rowe stifled a laugh that he tried to turn into a cough.
Shadwell said, in a dry voice, You really should get something for that cough.
I smiled at them all. Its okay, guys. Im not going to go all jealous because Jason is flirting and theyre flirting back. Im cool.
No woman is that cool, Shadwell said.
I smiled and shook my head. Jason flirts like he breathes. Both will stop only when hes dead.
Shadwell said, You are not his girlfriend, or this would bother you.
I gave him full eye contact as I said, Hell flirt with them, Shadwell, but hell be fucking me later.
His pale eyes flinched, and his face went sort of grim. You trying to shock me?
No, Shadwell, Im trying to make you understand that if theres a problem tonight it wont be me.
Peterson said, Enough. I dont know what is happening with the two of you, but I do not need it tonight. Is that clear, Shadwell?
Shadwell gave one clear nod.
Good. Peterson looked at me. Ms. Marshal Blake, do you have an objection to Shadwell and Rowe being inside the room with you for at least the beginning of the party?
Okay, thats it, the civvies are inside the room, with more guards, I assume?
Peterson just nodded.
Shadwell and Rowe stayed on our side of the hotel room door. They did a serious exit from the elevator up here. They had a shitload of uniforms downstairs when I insisted on putting my carry-on in the hotel safe. I thought that was to keep the press at bay, but somethings happened. What is it?
You may not be a civilian, Marshal Blake, but you arent one of us. We cant
Is the threat against all the Summerlands, just the kids, or is it Keith specifically?
Rowe and Shadwell exchanged glances. Peterson fought not to look at them, and to keep my eye contact. He had to work at it.
We are not at liberty to discuss
Dont give me that bullshit, Peterson. You were at the hospital today. I do not want to go to his family and say we got their only son killed because he was mistaken for a Summerland boy. Not to mention that I wouldI waved my hand in the air, trying to think how to say itit would leave this big hole in my life to lose Jason. So we arent going to lose him, are we? I glared at all three of them.
We are doing ou
r best, Peterson said.
What has changed in just the last few hours?
I cannot share the information, you dont have clearance.
How much danger is Jason in? I asked.
You know its not him.
But he could be hurt by accident, I said.
Peterson made an exasperated sound low in his throat. Yes, he looks enough like both the boys to be in danger.
In danger of death, or kidnapping, or what? I asked.
This time they exchanged a flurry of looks, including Peterson. Shadwell said, She isnt cleared for this.
I will have to clear it with my superiors, but Ill try to get permission to fill you in on some of it, Peterson said. Go to the party, enjoy yourselves, stay longer than thirty minutes; maybe by the time the party is over I can tell you more.
Theyll never go for that, Shadwell said.
Until they give you my job, Shadwell, I will run this operation the way I see fit. Is that clear?
Very, sir, Shadwell said, and managed that great neutral military voice, where you can say Yes, sir all day long while inside youre thinking You motherfucker.
Then do your job. Ralston will be back to check on things later.
Ralston, sir? Shadwell said.
Peterson nodded. Yes, Ralston.
Why is Chuck in charge of the party? I asked.
Ask the governor, Peterson said. He leaned back and opened the door for me. He was going to see me safely inside the room before he left, apparently. I didnt argue, just let Rowe go into the room first, then me, then Shadwell. Shouldnt they have done that for Jason? Oh, wait, hed been safe behind the wall of beautiful blond women. Now thats body armor.
33
T HE ROOM WAS almost identical to ours except for the dcor. It was all white and golden-tan, much cleaner lines, less fuss than our room. It was much airier and through the windows which were still open to the night I saw a balcony railing. The two groups of sofas and chairs were empty. There were presents on the glass dining table still in their sparkling wrappers. Apparently it was a combination bachelorette party and bridal shower. Either that or theyd changed the rules for bachelorette parties and now you got presents.
Where were Jason and the girls? Then I heard a giggle. It came from around the corner where, if it had been our room, the bedroom lay. Of course, it did.
Shad stopped me with a hand motion. I hadnt even realized Id made a movement forward. He called out, Price, Sanchez?
A man came around the corner. He was the first non-WASP that Id seen in this town. Well, unless you counted Jasons dad and his sisters. They, at least, werent blond. But Sanchez was nicely dark; other than skin tone he looked like all the other guards. They all had this stamped-out-of-the-same-mill feel to them. Rowe was the closest to his own person, but everyone else smelled of a system that trained large groups of men to fight other large groups of men. They came out of the military straight into another kind of unit, which had not helped them lose their cohesiveness.
He talked as he moved in front of the minibar to stand beside us. They wanted to show the man the wedding dresses, Sanchez said.
I looked at Shad. May I?
He nodded.
I stepped forward and offered a hand to Sanchez. He looked a little startled, but he gave me a good handshake. He had small hands for his size, or at least for the shoulders that were straining his suit. It looked like hed hit the gym a lot recently, and hadnt bought the next size up suit. It made his gun show very stark at his hip under the jacket.
Rowe said, Sanchez, you gotta get a bigger jacket, man. Your gun shows bad.
Sanchez shrugged the big shoulders, though he was only about five foot six, the shortest guard Id seen among Petersons people. Maybe thats why hed hit the gym so hard; compensation.
His eyes were so brown they were almost black, darker even than my own. He flicked the eyes to Rowe with a frown, then said, Not in front of
The mark, I said, the job, what do you call the people you babysit?
He gave me a speculative look out of those very dark eyes. Youre from out of town. He made it a statement.
I smiled. You have no idea.
He actually grinned, before Shadwell said, If theyre changing clothes you and Price can stay outside the room.
Sanchez shook his head, frowning again. They arent changing, but our orders were explicit. Until further notice we do not lose sight of ourhe glanced at me, then finished withcharges. He said the last softly, as if it wasnt quite the word he would have used if one of the charges hadnt been standing in front of him.
I smiled at him, and something about the smile made him shift, or maybe the gun was digging into his side.
Your jacket fits nice, but its harder to hide a shoulder holster, he said.
Oh, hed noticed the gun. It was my turn to shrug. I got used to wearing it.
Shadwell said, Shes a federal marshal, and the girlfriend of the man.
Sanchezs eyes went a little wide. He dont act like he has a girlfriend.
I smiled, and this time it was a happy one. Are his clothes still on? I asked.
Sanchez tried not to look startled, but failed a little around the edges. Last I checked.
I smiled wider. Then Jason hasnt gotten too carried away yet.
He take his clothes off in front of groups of women a lot? Sanchez asked.
I nodded. All the time, I said. I didnt explain what Jasons job was; I was enjoying Sanchezs reaction too much. It was helping me delay going into the next room, which was pretty much my goal.
Hes a stripper, Shadwell said, a little disgusted.
I gave him a dirty look. Ill thank you to keep a civil tone about my boyfriends job, thanks.
Shadwells eyes flashed at me from behind his glasses, showing that there was a little blue to all that gray in his eyes. No offense.
Sure, I said.
He the entertainment? Sanchez asked.
No, Shadwell said, and he didnt explain either.
Great, we were just going to play need-to-know until we were all confused.
It was Rowe who moved around so he could look me in the face. His eyes had seemed very brown, until I had Sanchezs to look into; now they seemed pale.
Youre delaying so you dont have to go into the other room.
I gave him an unfriendly look. You dont know me well enough to make that guess.
Its not a guess, he said.
I turned the look into a glare.
He laughed, and raised his hands ceilingward. Hey, dont give me that look just because Im right.
I shrugged, and tried not to be childish about it. I settled for sounding a little sulky, but I couldnt help that part. Youre smarter than you look, Rowe.
Now youre just being mean, he said.
Accurate, Sanchez said, with a smile.
You said if we had a problem tonight it wouldnt be you, Shadwell said.
I turned the remnants of the unfriendly look on him. But explaining might keep me in this room until they stopped looking at the wedding clothes. I am an unmarried woman who is dating a man seriously enough to drop everything and come home to meet his folks. We have no plans to marry, but if I go into the other room with the wedding dresses being ooh ed and aah ed over, the women are going to ask about our plans. Jason and I dont have any plans, and that will bug the women. I dont want to mess with it.
Why would you come home to meet someones family if you have no plans to marry? Shadwell asked.
Ill answer your question if youll answer one of mine first.
He looked suspicious, but I think they werent much more eager to go into the next room than I was. The sound of giggling was being punctuated by Jasons laugh. You can ask.
What caused the order to come down that you arent to let your charges out of your sight?
Shadwell shook his head. If Peterson gives us permission Ill be happy to tell you, but until then, I cant.
Orders, I said.
Chain of command, he said.
I nodded.
What happens when Chuck comes back? Is he higher in the chain of command than you are?
They all exchanged glances. Shadwell actually rolled his lower lip under, which was the most nerves Id seen him show.
You dont know where he stands in the chain of command, do you?
Thats none of your business, Shadwell said.
Whatever you say, shall we go see if everyones still got all their clothes on?
We could just keep talking out here, Rowe said.
We could, but Ive delayed as long as my self-respect will allow. Time to brave the giggling horde.
All women giggle, Rowe said.
I dont, I said.
He gave me a look that was neither professional nor okay from a strange man. I bet I could make you giggle.
Rowe, Shadwell said, in a serious voice.
You just lost points in my book, Rowe, serious points.
He held up his hands in a push-away gesture. Sorry, that was out of line.
Yeah, I said, it was, and if you expect to be in the room with us while we sleep tonight, you are so very wrong.
Shadwell actually stepped between us to break the eye contact. We hope the orders will change by then.
Im sorry, Rowe said again, its just nice to talk to a woman that doesnt have that look in her eyes.
What look? I asked.
That how-fast-can-I-get-you-down-the-aisle look.
I laughed. I think thats your nerves projecting, Rowe.
This from the woman who didnt want to go into the next room because shes afraid theyll press you to marry your boyfriend.
You can tell how happy a couple is by how hard the women try to fix up their single friends, I said.
Some men do that, too, Sanchez said.
There was a loud thump from the next room, and near-hysterical laughter.
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