As if on cue, she spotted the happy couple heading in their direction. Okay. She had to admit, they did look great together.
“Meredith, you do know how to make an appearance,” Sam said, but his eyes barely left Allie, who looked stunning in a short sequined black dress that was reminiscent of the flapper dresses of the twenties. Blonde and blue eyed, she was the girl next door, and Sam was clearly smitten.
“Thanks, Sam. I can’t begin to express my gratitude to the two of you for stepping up and helping me out like you did. The place looks phenomenal.”
Allie looked flabbergasted at the compliment and after a quick glace at Sam managed to say, “Of course, Meredith.”
For heaven’s sake. Meredith had only given credit where it was due. Was that so unbelievable? Something told her that it probably was. She worked to keep the smile on her face.
“Allie filled me in on the details,” Sam said, speaking to Travis. “We’ll keep our eyes and ears open. Just let me know if I can do anything to help.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it,” Travis said, all stoicism. He glanced at Allie. “I haven’t seen Claire yet. Is she…around?”
Allie sighed and looked almost defeated. “Not yet. Rick was supposed to pick her up and bring her, but after everything you discovered…well. I think she wanted to be alone. I’m going to call her in a few minutes and see if she needs anything.”
He nodded and Meredith could see he was fighting his own guilt over that and probably over whatever exchange the two of them had shared earlier.
A flurry of activity near the door indicated that someone of some importance had arrived, their security entourage flanking all sides.
The mayor. Meredith had better go over and make the cursory greeting. Travis, whose own attention was drawn to something else on the other side of the room, just nodded. “Go. I’ll be fine.” Then he slipped away into the growing crowd.
“Paul,” she said when she reached the mayor. “I wanted to thank you again for appearing tonight and honoring us with a speech. You have my gratitude.” And her financial support, which was part of the deal, of course, just as his exclusive with Annabeth would come with a price. But that didn’t need to be said.
“Of course, Meredith.” He took her hand in his. In a quieter voice, his eyes searching hers, he asked, “And how is the search going for your daughter? Any word?”
For a moment, she had forgotten that she’d gone to him for assistance in those hours right after Darcy went missing. Hoping he could offer some assistance, throw his name and authority behind her and get some action. Until now, this was the most interest he’d shown.
She considered how much to share with him. “Not a word. The police are now involved, but nothing’s turned up.”#p#分页标题#e#
“I’m sorry I couldn’t do more, Meredith. I have been so busy with the campaign that I haven’t had a chance really to even breathe. But if you need anything, I’m here.”
Sure he was. If there was a camera on him, maybe.
But she just smiled and relayed the time frame for tonight’s events. From the glances people were throwing now at the door, she knew another important guest had arrived, and she could make out the figure of the bishop of the city’s Catholic diocese. Making her excuses to the mayor, she headed over, glad for the escape.
An hour later, everything was running smoothly, thanks in no small part to Allie and Sam. The gala was going smoothly, anyway. But the task of identifying the mastermind behind the sex trafficking ring that held Meredith’s daughter was going nowhere. Leaving her desolate and in need of a quiet moment to herself.
The meal had ended, and even now she could hear the band warming up for the night’s dancing, which meant Meredith was relieved of her duties for at least twenty more minutes. She looked around to see if she could find Travis, find out if he had any updates, but at the moment, he was nowhere in sight.
She slipped out of the ballroom and headed to the restroom at the far end, where she hoped for a moment’s peace. Only a few stragglers were using it, probably wanting to escape like her. Instead, she walked farther down the corridor, welcoming the solitariness in the darkness. Hoping to somehow get her bearings.
Because despite the smile she’d plastered on her face all evening, inside she was in a panic. As far as she could tell, they weren’t any closer now to finding Darcy and the location of the auction than they were yesterday.
And the time was flying by so fast and soon…it would be too late.
An irrational anger took her—anger at the police for not taking her seriously, at the smiling, laughing guests who were going on about their night as if nothing evil and horrible were going on right now, like her daughter about to be sold to the highest bidder.