“I was afraid you weren’t coming, even after having blocked in the tickets,” his mother said, a bit of edge to her tone.
“Life happens, Mother. We’re here now,” Rob said calmly as he drew out Evie’s chair next to her.
“Good evening, Elizabeth,” Evie said with a smile as she sat down. “Hello, Joshua.” She was on easier terms with Rob’s father than his mother.
His mother nodded to Evie, then quickly turned her attention toward the other couple. “Senator, I believe you’ve met our son, Robert?”
Waiters carrying large trays were bringing out salads and baskets of rolls. Evie gratefully went with the diversion, simply nodded hello with a smile when Rob introduced her to the senator and his wife. It was a delicious-looking salad, topped with caramelized apple slices and walnuts. She would have taken a quick cellphone photo to add to her collection of event dishes were his mother not sitting next to her.
She wasn’t able to converse with the senator’s wife since they weren’t seated that close to each other, but she vaguely remembered having met the woman at a similar gathering last year and that Martha Davidson had an outgoing and large family. Evie felt Elizabeth’s attention shift her direction, hoped she was able to keep up her end of the conversation.
“Evie, I’m glad you were free to join us this evening. Rob had said you might be working.”
There was never a good way to handle that question; she either offered too many details or not enough. “I’d hoped to be making an arrest before tonight,” she said, “having discovered what happened to my long-missing Jenna Greenhill. But I often don’t get my first wish. Sharing Rob’s time and a wonderful meal with all of you isn’t such a bad consolation prize.”
She could feel Rob’s hand resting lightly against her back, knew it carried his You go, girl! support.
“The . . . um, the task force Governor Bliss created is making progress?” Elizabeth asked.
Evie doubted Elizabeth was actually interested, it was more likely an indirect way to let the senator know the governor had made her appointment. It was politely asked so she tried to answer in kind. “The group has excellent detectives. I’m certain a number of cases will be resolved in the coming months.” She needed out of this quicksand of her work, which never made good dinner conversation, so she changed topics. “May I ask which charity tonight has your greatest interest?”
“Joshua and I have long been supporters of the Children’s Hospital Fund.”
Evie glanced at Rob on her other side. “Do you have a favorite? I haven’t heard you say.”
“I’m an equal benefactor of them all, though I think I’ll ask you at the end of the evening which has captured your heart. We can make another donation in both our names.”
“I have a feeling it’s going to be the House of Hope. Prostitutes don’t get enough care and kindness,” Evie replied, knowing the charity firsthand through Ann’s involvement, and aware it happened to be one of the few religious charities being highlighted this evening.
Evie caught a signal from David across the room and felt immense relief. “Actually, I am working briefly this evening. All these dignitaries at a single place, you understand.” She gave the group a brief smile. “Would you excuse me a moment?”
Rob stood and held her chair as she slipped away to join David.
“His parents?” David asked when she joined him.
“Yes. Maggie must have put in a request—you’re at the same table.”
“I did at her request. I’ll join you shortly so I can watch Maggie’s performance from the audience.”
“Elizabeth is likely to give you a polite third degree. How off duty are you?”
“Around Maggie I’m always additional security. I’m carrying credentials and a weapon, if that’s what you’re asking. You think I’m going to need them with his mother?” David asked, amused.
Evie couldn’t help her laughter. “I couldn’t figure how to easily carry mine in a handbag that matched my outfit. I figured I’d yell ‘Police!’ and let you handle anything that came up. You’ve seen Maggie?”
“I’ve been banished for the moment. She’s in the dressing room with her hair and makeup people. Showing nerves, as you might have heard she still deals with. You’re showing a few yourself. She’s that difficult?”
“Elizabeth’s a nice enough woman, and yet I always tense up around her. We had some minor collisions early on with the cop thing, and I’ve never been able to sort out how to handle her questions.”