Loe raamatut: «Courting Trouble»

Prologue

Blue was the colour of the evening. Nina was awash in it the moment she stepped off the elevator onto the first floor of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Sky-blue, azure, sapphire and teal filled the expansive wing. The Portraits of Planet Ocean exhibit had been running at the museum since the fall, but the event planners had done a quick makeover for the private after-hours event.

Special lighting had been brought in, dimming the harshness of the normal fluorescent glare. The indigo rays gave the event a more intimate and calming feel. Sensual, although she doubted the party organisers realised that.

Blue tablecloths covered the tables that had been set up, and huge blue ribbons hung from the ceiling. She didn’t see one dress in the room that wasn’t in the appropriate range of the colour spectrum. She brushed her fingers over the turquoise silk that clung to her own curves. She fitted right in – although the mischievous side of her wondered what responses she might have received if she’d shown up wearing fuchsia.

Then again, it never paid well to be mischievous with this crowd.

She stepped further into the room. She couldn’t think of a more appropriate setting for Aquamarine’s charity fundraiser, although the parking situation wasn’t ideal. This part of DC was clogged with tourists all hours of the day. Fortunately, most of the attendees had drivers.

They could afford them.

‘Would you like a drink, miss?’

Nina turned her attention to the waitress who’d quietly slipped up to her. Even she was dressed in the colour of the evening. The female staff wore iridescent blue-green sheath dresses, while the men wore matching ties. The material was patterned to look like fish scales, but in an attractive way. Blonde, graceful and gorgeous, this young lady could have pulled off the full mermaid ensemble, seashell bra and all, if needed.

Nina smiled. She liked how the girl looked her in the eye, rather than fading into the background, and she appreciated being addressed as ‘miss’. The title of ‘ma’am’ still rankled. ‘You read my mind.’

She took a refreshing sip of the expensive champagne. ‘Very nice.’

The blonde nodded before moving on. ‘Enjoy your evening.’

Nina would, although she wasn’t here for pleasure. She supported the organisation’s cause. Aquamarine was working hard to save both drinking water and the world’s oceans. She’d drop off a generous donation before she left, but she was here to socialise.

After all, it was her line of work.

She meandered about the room, eyeing the displays and the guests. It was a virtual who’s who of the Washington scene. She saw politicians everywhere, mingling with celebrities and sports stars. The high-powered business types might be more difficult for some to spot, but she could call out their industry, net worth and drink preferences if tested. It was her job to know such things.

She waved at Congressman Williams. His wife Eleanor looked lovely tonight, as did the auburn-tressed beauty who was with Salvatore Paul, tennis star extraordinaire.

The redhead raised an eyebrow, but Nina just lifted her glass.

‘Nina, welcome.’

A hand settled a bit too low on her back as Howard Stahl greeted her. Turning his way, she smoothly dislodged the touch even as she brushed a kiss across his ruddy cheek. ‘Howard, the place looks amazing.’

‘Doesn’t it?’ The grin on his face was happy as a schoolboy’s. ‘Did you notice the projection system?’

‘How could I not?’ Undulating waves of blue coursed over the walls, allowing schools of fish to swim across the scene, along with seahorses and even the occasional shark. The overall effect gave one the impression of being underwater.

Nina wondered how many attendees were already seasick.

‘The turnout is impressive,’ she commented.

The Aquamarine Alliance was a charity that both sides of the political spectrum could support, up to a point. All the heavy hitters were here and seemed to be enjoying themselves. Nina’s practised eye saw the smiles, the conversations and the light, publicly appropriate touches.

‘Yes, we’re quite excited about that. Marketing did a wonderful job. Did you see Miss America over there by Aquamarine’s display? Portia Alton is covering the event, and –’ Howard’s voice dropped to a whisper ‘– even Jason Sloan is here!’

Nina’s eyebrows rose. Sloan was a notoriously tough ‘get’. Oh, he showed up at plenty of functions and he could be generous to a fault, but he never deigned to let anyone know his plans in advance. The man had started out as a hockey star, a defenceman for the Washington Capitals, but injury had cut his career short. Now he was an aggressive, impatient and powerful businessman who brought fear to competitors’ hearts and weakness to women’s knees.

His sexuality was known to be potent.

‘It’s going to be a wonderful evening,’ Howard said, rubbing his hands.

‘You should raise a good amount of money for the cause.’

‘Yes, yes. That, too. You’ve got to try the salmon puffs. The Apple Tree Grille is catering tonight, and they are to die for. Where is a waitress? Miss? Oh, miss?’

Again, it was the beautiful blonde who turned, only this time her tray was laden with finger food.

‘These are delicious,’ Howard said, pointing them out, ‘or try the shrimp quiche. It’s simply – Sienna?’

The waitress’s eyes widened.

‘Sienna Blakely?’

The girl froze like a deer in the headlights, yet she quickly covered the instinctive reaction. As Nina watched, the waitress compelled her face to remain calm. Her shoulders dropped and her chin rose, but the set of her spine remained stiff.

‘Mr Stahl,’ the girl responded gracefully. ‘How nice to see you again.’

‘Goodness. I almost didn’t recognise you.’ The evening’s host let out a boisterous laugh that drew the attention of those standing nearby. ‘You’re usually attending these events, rather than serving at them.’

Pink coloured the girl’s cheeks, but she recovered with aplomb. ‘I graduated in May. This job is to tide me over until I find something full-time in my field. You know what they say about idle hands.’

Stahl wiggled his fingers before cupping the girl’s elbow. ‘That they’re the devil’s playground?’

The display made even Nina uncomfortable. She reached out for a miniature quiche, which allowed the waitress to turn away from the older man’s touch.

‘In what area is your degree?’ she asked.

‘Corporate Communications.’

‘It’s a master’s degree, if I’m correct,’ Howard inserted. ‘Sienna’s parents are active in many charities. Her father was an attaché to France, and then … where was it?’

‘Sweden,’ the young lady replied patiently.

‘That’s right. I’m rather surprised they aren’t here tonight.’ Howard surveyed the room as if looking for them. ‘Your folks are usually fixtures at these sort of things.’

The waitress’s smile looked just a tad plastic. ‘Yes, they are, but they just returned from a visit to our country house in Virginia. My mother is still a bit tired.’

Nina watched the girl closely. She was handling what had to be a difficult situation quite well. From what Stahl had indicated, she was usually on the other side of the buffet platter. Instead of being ashamed, though, she was standing tall with her head held high.

‘I love your hairclip,’ Nina said, offering a change of subject.

The waitress’s pale-blonde hair was kept tidy in a chignon by a clip decorated with a jewelled starfish. The piece didn’t look expensive, but it was cute.

‘Thank you.’ Sienna touched her hair self-consciously. ‘I thought it fitted the event.’

It did. The young woman had taken the time to spice up an evening that, to her, had to be long and tiring.

Nina drummed her fingers against her clutch. It was those kinds of details that made a person stand out to her.

The waitress lifted her tray meaningfully. ‘If you’ll excuse me, I need to be moving on. It’s really a wonderful event, Mr Stahl. Congratulations.’

She slipped away, and Howard watched her navigate the crowd. ‘With that girl’s pedigree?’ He tsked aloud. ‘What a shame.’

To be working hard for an honest dollar?

Nina bit her tongue. She’d learned long ago how to force cordiality and keep her true thoughts to herself. She worked with too many types of people to establish a personal stand on issues. It was only those who got closest to her that ever heard her real opinions.

She caught another flute of champagne from a passing tray and put her hand on Howard’s shoulder. Best to touch him before he touched her again. ‘By chance, have you seen Senator Molton?’

‘Dennis Molton? Why, yes, he’s over there by the blue whale skeleton.’

‘Perfect.’ She slipped her arm through her colleague’s. ‘Be a dear and introduce us?’

She didn’t need introductions, but it made the man feel useful. Eventually, she broke away from him as she worked the room. She was here to strengthen old acquaintances and build new ones. Her business ran on word of mouth, and it was always good to stay in touch.

Discreetly, of course. Public venues like this offered the best opportunities.

It also gave her the chance to people-watch, which was one of her favourite activities. Human beings were the most interesting of subjects, simple in some ways, yet complex in others.

Tonight, she was intrigued by the ice-blonde waitress.

Nina watched as she covered the room, offering tidbits of food or tastes of wine. The girl was good – observant, efficient and well-mannered – yet she dealt with everyone she encountered differently. She smiled beamingly at the computer nerds from the tech company, giving them a thrill, but she also made a plate of food for the elderly woman who’d found a seat at a table by the one-man-submersible display.

There was something striking about the girl, something proud in the way she was rising above the situation. Contrary to what Howard Stahl believed, Nina thought more of her as a waitress than she would have as a tag-along with her parents. Rich blondes were a dime a dozen.

A comely ice queen who rocked a mermaid uniform was another thing entirely.

‘Nina, so lovely to see you out tonight.’

‘Veronica,’ she responded with pleasure. There was no need for her to force a smile this time. The two of them had known each other for years, long before the actress had become a client.

They kissed each other’s cheeks, but when they broke apart, the diva moved smoothly to her date’s side. The handsome man looked down on her dotingly. The duo had drawn strange looks when they’d first paired up. There was a significant age difference, but they’d been together long enough now that people accepted them as a couple.

‘I wouldn’t miss it.’ Nina tucked her clutch under her arm and straightened the young man’s tie. Over his shoulder she saw the flash of white-blonde hair heading straight in Jason Sloan’s direction.

Nina’s antennae perked up.

This should be an interesting test. How would the young woman deal with a pit bull like him?

‘The work Aquamarine is doing is so important,’ she said absently as she stepped back.

Veronica’s date stood a little taller, and Nina edged to the side to keep an eye on the action behind him.

An attractive brunette was on Sloan’s arm this evening. The woman’s navy dress was cut too low for the event, and her heels were a smidgen too high. She was leaning provocatively into her date’s side, but his attention was focused with drill-like intensity on Kevin McHale, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services. Sloan was more interested in his conversation with the powerful politician than he was with his bimbo of the night.

‘Roni and I were appalled by the number of people who don’t have fresh drinking water. We’ve got to do something to make water purification tablets more accessible,’ the young man in front of her was saying.

Nina nodded absently. ‘A public service message would help the Alliance immensely, Veronica, especially with your last name. Surely an advertising whiz could come up with something special.’

‘Like a spokesperson role?’ the aging actress said, perking up. She shared a look with her special friend.

‘Roni Waters for Aquamarine? I think it’s perfect.’

‘It does have quite the ring to it.’

So did the discussion happening twenty yards away. Nina tapped her toe in anticipation. Sloan and McHale’s discussion wasn’t about the availability of water. She could tell that without hearing.

Veronica nodded enthusiastically. ‘Have someone contact me. I’d love to help.’

‘I’ll let the board know,’ Nina promised. The president of the organisation was on her schedule for tomorrow anyway.

She sent the couple along with a smile and stepped out of the main thoroughfare. She’d nearly made a lap around the room and she was ready to go. There were so many of these events on her calendar. They were necessary, but tiring. She could only dream about the hot bubble bath that awaited her at home, with candles and squares of dark chocolate tub-side.

Only something kept her attention on the blonde.

The waitress moved in that whisper-smooth way of hers. She approached the small group, remaining on their periphery to avoid interrupting them, yet her attention was on the senator – almost as if she sensed he needed an out. Without uttering a sound, she made eye contact with the man. His shoulders relaxed, and he smiled in relief as he turned for a chocolate truffle.

It had the same dousing effect on the heated conversation as a bucket of water.

Only Jason Sloan was the one who’d gotten drenched. When he turned, his shoulders were lifted and a snarl was on his handsome face.

That all changed when he made eye contact with the waitress.

‘Oh,’ Nina gasped. She could feel the snap in the air from where she stood.

The ruthless shark stood, appropriately, in front of a Great White display, yet momentarily he stopped swimming.

For once, the pretty waitress didn’t adjust. She didn’t smooth the situation with a pleasant smile or offer any hors d’oeuvres. She simply froze.

It lasted a split second, maybe not even that. Sloan’s date didn’t even notice. Released from her boredom, she leaned in to evaluate the selection of appetisers. She took a handful, and the senator swiped up another mini quiche. Still, Sloan didn’t budge.

He had his eye on a tastier tidbit.

The blonde waitress took a tiny step back, nodded to the guests, turned and …

There.

Weak knees.

Nina finally took a breath, not realising that she’d been holding it. The chemistry that had just sparked between those two strangers had been palpable. Electric. She took a quick sip of her champagne to cool off, but when she licked her lips it wasn’t for the taste.

Jason Sloan was still watching the pretty waitress. Silently, secretly. His touch lighted on his date’s waist, but she was sharing her appreciation of the salmon puffs with the senator. She didn’t even notice that her companion’s attention was elsewhere.

Nina certainly did, and it made the thoughts that had been swirling in her head all evening knot into a tighter spiral.

Interesting.

She turned on her heel towards the Aquamarine booth. Her stay had been short, but more productive than she would have guessed. Lifting her chin, she walked confidently to the event secretary.

The woman smiled in greeting. ‘Ms Lockwood, it’s always a pleasure.’

Nina’s lips twitched. Little did the prim woman know that that should be her company’s motto.

Opening her clutch, she pulled out her chequebook.

The woman’s eyes widened when she saw how many zeroes were on the cheque. ‘Always a pleasure,’ she repeated.

‘I’ve also managed to convince Veronica Waters to talk to you about being a spokesperson for the charity.’ Nina tucked her clutch under her arm and waved knowingly. ‘I’ll tell Arnie about it tomorrow, but I know he’ll forget. Just contact her people after a day or so.’

‘Veronica Waters?’ The secretary nearly came out of her seat. ‘Oh, Ms Lockwood. That’s fabulous news.’

Nina winked and turned away. That bath and dark chocolate were calling her name. She made her way back to the elevator, still observant of those around her. By sight, by touch and by sound. She literally sensed when she crossed the path of Jason Sloan’s gaze, which was still fixed on the pretty blonde waitress.

She noticed, also, when the waitress glanced back.

‘Oh,’ the girl said in surprise when Nina blocked her view. ‘I’m sorry, you startled me.’

‘No apologies necessary. Your thoughts were obviously elsewhere.’ Perhaps on the brawny businessman with the steely dark eyes? The sexy shark halfway across the room?

The waitress put her empty tray on the cart. ‘Have a good evening, miss. I hope you enjoyed yourself.’

‘Here in the Blue Lagoon?’

The girl understood, but the only response she allowed was a twinkle in her eye.

Nina held out a business card. ‘I’ve been impressed by what I’ve seen tonight. Here’s my card.’

The waitress blinked in surprise. She turned the card this way and that before looking up in confusion. ‘I don’t understand.’

‘I’m looking for people like you. Conscientious, perceptive and sophisticated.’ Nina slipped her a hundred-dollar tip and punched the call button for the elevator. ‘You said you were looking for something more rewarding. Just call the number. We’ll set up a time to talk.’

The girl’s blue eyes widened. ‘For a job?’

The elevator opened, and Nina stepped inside. ‘I can’t promise you an offer, but I can commit to an interview. Call me. I think you’ll be intrigued.’