Page 73 of Second Round

“Very, very good,” she said with a smile. “Brent has the kids thisweekend.”

“Are you serious? Why did we even come to this shindig?” I pulled her even closer and kissedherneck.

“Because it’s your boss?” Jackie pushed me away with a giggle. “Behave—fornow.”

“Oui, madame.” We held hands instead as I calculated the minimum time before we could leave theparty.

There was a stone wall around the property and two people at the iron gate who were vetting guests before allowingusin.

“Holy smoke,” Jackie whispered to me. “It’s like something out of amovie.”

“Guess you have to be careful when you’re doling out freechampagne.”

It wasn’t the kind of do I would have associated with Amanda or Greg. Perhaps it was their mother who wanted a formal event with security. The place was already packed. The whole yard was decked out with striped canopies, and there was a string quartet playing. Aproned staff was circulating with food and drinks. Someone came by immediately and offered uschampagne.

“Oh yes, please.” Jackie took a flute, but I asked if there wasanybeer.

“Of course, sir. Is there a brand youprefer?”

“Molson Canadian’s good,” Ireplied.

Jackie smiled at me. “You’re so down-to-earth. I like thataboutyou.”

“I don’t even know what I did to earn that, but I’ll take it.” I put my hand on her bare shoulder and stroked the skin with my thumb. Sheshivered.

“Jackie?” A man’s voice came from behind us. Tension rippled through her back, and she pulled away from mytouch.

“Brent?” Her voice was different now, higher andtensed.

Brent? Was this Jackie’s ex-husband? She seldom said anything negative about him, and their shared custody worked smoothly. But there was tension between them. How could there not be? He was dark-haired, tall, and a little overweight. Maybe he was an athlete once, but he wasn’t staying in shape. The expression on his face was shock, either because she was here or because she was here with me. He was overdressed in a suit. The middle-aged woman in a pale pants suit beside him must be his boss orsomething.

“What on earth are you doing here?” he asked. Hell, I hardly knew this guy, but I could read the subtext. It was like he was saying she didn’t belong in such a nice crowd. Peripherally, I could see Jackie wilting a little. She nervously smoothed out herdress.

“I’m here with Leo,” she said. “He, uh, works with GregRichardson.”

I held out my hand. “Hi there, I’m LeoGauthier.”

His handshake was too firm, one of those show-offs who try to show you how strong they are. But I could take him easily. “Brent Wagner. So, you work forGregory?”

“Yeah, I’m the head coach of the Vancouver Vice.” Since he wasn’t bothering, I turned to his companion and introducedmyself.

“I’m Margaret Whittaker,” she said, but didn’t explain why she and Brent were heretogether.

Brent gave Jackie a mocking smile. “Before you get on my case, the kids are at my parents’ place. They’re having agreattime.”

Jackie shook her head. “I didn’t say a word. And I know they love yourfolks.”

“Well, it’s sure interesting to see what you get up to on your kid-free weekends. You keep saying that all you do ispaint.”

He gave me a once-over. There was an awkward silence until Jackie commented on how lucky the Richardsons were that the weather was so nice for theparty.

“Although they could easily fit all these people inside,” Margaret said. “Have you been here before,Jackie?”

“No, never. I’d love to get a peep in the house. It looksgorgeous.”

“I think they’re keeping the riffraff out here,” Brent said. He made it sound like a joke, but I couldn’t help seeing this as another dig at Jackie. I felt an urge to punch the guy in the face and flexedmyhand.

“Oh, you made it! So lovely to see you.” Amanda’s voice broke into our strained conversation, and she hugged Jackie and me. Then she noticed Margaret. “Peggy! It’s been ages since I’ve seen you. How are yourparents?”

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