The shuffling and muttering from the crowd increased. Kendra nodded her agreement, and Stacie stepped forward, offering her thousand-watt smile.
‘Garrett’s right. I’ve been away in Japan, deep in negotiations for several exhibitions for the opening of my West Coast gallery. I had no idea what all had gone on with Tess and Garrett when I arrived this morning, jetlagged and exhilarated by my time in Japan. I only stopped by on my way to see this gentleman who you all know very well, I would imagine.’ Kendra was sure she nearly blinded Harris with her smile. Stacie continued, ‘I’m sure I don’t have to tell you, Harris Walker is one of the best wildlife photographers in the Northwest, maybe the world.’
There was an impromptu round of applause from the mob. Harris forced a smile that looked a little bit like a grimace. Stacie pulled him forward. ‘I came to negotiate with Mr. Walker. You see, I love the Northwest. I grew up here, and I’m so excited to be opening a gallery here in my home state in my favorite city on the planet. I hope to counterbalance the exciting Japanese exhibits from the time of the Shoguns with photographic exhibits of the natural beauty of the Northwest. I’d like to feature local photographers, and in particular, I’d like to feature Mr. Walker’s wonderful work. He’s the real reason I’m in town. I’m hoping to make his work the center of New World Gallery West’s grand opening exhibition.’
One of the reporters spoke up. ‘Mr. Walker.’ Of course it was the irritating Mr. Pittman from the front row once again. ‘Is this true? Are you going to be exhibiting your work in Ms. Emerson’s gallery?’
‘That’s what we’re negotiating.’ Harris managed a genuine smile and even managed to sound congenial. Kendra loved her friend even more when he offered Stacie a smile that really could have passed for genuine. Kendra knew he had done it just for her.
‘Ms. Delaney,’ Carla Flannery chimed in from the back. ‘Is it true that you and Ms. Emerson are friends?’
‘Yes, it’s very true.’ Kendra offered a warm smile which Stacie returned in kind. ‘All of this …’ She raised her hand to indicate the reporters and the mob. ‘All of this is very touching, that you all feel so deeply for me. It’s wonderful to feel so loved. But I promise you there’s absolutely nothing to be concerned about. I’m very happy for Stacie’s visit. It was a wonderful surprise to cap off an amazing weekend. And Garrett is more than happy to offer his place for Stacie and Mr. Walker to meet.’ A bald-faced lie if ever there was one, but then not very much about the past two days wasn’t a lie when it came right down to it. ‘I promise you all is well with Garrett and me. Very well, indeed.’ She offered him her best smitten by love smile, and he returned one with equal radiance. Some of the Tess fan club clapped and cheered. ‘I’m hard at work on the next Tess Delaney novel, and Garrett is taking very good care of me while I write. Very good care.’ She kissed his cheek and someone wolf-whistled. ‘Now please, everyone. Please go home. I need to be able to work in peace. Stacie and Mr. Walker just want to get on with their negotiations. If you could do that for me, if you could just go home to your families, I’d be so grateful.’
‘Ms. Delaney.’ The reporter from the Oregonian spoke up. ‘What about the threats on your life?’
‘There are no threats on my life. There never have been. I get an occasional email from an overzealous fan, like every other writer or actor or anyone else who has a public profile, but there are no threats on my life, so you can all rest easy tonight that I’m safe here with Garrett, happily writing away, and that the next Tess Delaney novel will be in your book stores very soon.’
‘If that’s true, if there are no threats on your life, then why are the security people still here?’ Mr. Pittman put in.
She smiled sweetly. ‘Mr. Pittman, my publicist is always a bit paranoid for my privacy at my request. That shouldn’t come as any surprise. Plus I’m sure I don’t need to remind anyone that Garrett’s house has just been well and truly egged. I believe there might have even been a tomato or two. Just a precaution. That’s all.’
‘That’s a lot of security for just a precaution,’ Pittman said.
Carla Flannery spoke up again. ‘My sources assure me the threat is real.’
God, they were tenacious, Kendra thought. But she only smiled and said, ‘Just a precaution, like I said.’ Then they all turned and walked back into the house according to plan.
Chapter Twenty-one