pissed. I just got off the phone, at the bride’s request, with the CBBM. Who started off informing me that nobody, including his brother, was going to tell him who he could date. Fucking selfish child.”
“You said fucking. You are pissed.”
“Then, then, he reams me for interfering in his personal life.
I have to take it, because better me than either the B or G, but I want to hurt him. I managed to calm him down, appeal to the minute sliver of decency and consideration in him. He’ll do his duty, and intends to leave immediately following his—sure to be heartfelt—toast to the new couple.”
“Do you believe him?”
Parker’s eyes slitted. “Not for a minute. He’s primed to make a scene. He’ll need to be watched like a hawk because he’s going to parade that woman into the reception if we don’t stop him. Which we won’t be telling anyone in the wedding party.”
Huffing out a breath, Parker handed Mac a stack of printouts with the photograph of an attractive blonde. Under the photo it read:
ROXANNE POULSEN
NO ADMITTANCE
“Pass these out to subs. I’ll give Laurel a stack for the caterers.”
“I’m on it. You know, Parks, sometimes I just love this job beyond reason. Oddly, this is one of those times.”
“Right there with you.” Parker crunched down on the antacid. “We probably need therapy.”
MAC DELIVERED WHAT SHE THOUGHT OF AS THE MUG SHOTS TO Emma and her crew, then passed the rest to the small hive working in the Grand Hall. She helped dress the tables—lavender cloths over blue—adding setups while Emma delivered centerpieces. In widemouthed glass bowls white star lilies floated above a bed of shimmering stones.
“Nice,” Mac decreed.
Emma set little vases holding the heads of fat roses and white candles around the center bowl, scattered petals and tiny red hearts, blue stars. “Nicer. Only nineteen more to go. Let’s get the favors set up,” she called out. “Let’s finish the . . . Oh, hello, Carter.”
“What?” Mac spun around.
In a dark gray suit, Carter stood in the middle of the pre-event chaos. He looked, Mac thought, like an island of baffled calm in a sea of motion and color.
“Ah, somebody named Lois said I should just come back. There’s a lot going on. I’m probably in the way.”
“No, you’re not,” Emma assured him. “But be careful, anybody capable of moving, lifting, or hauling may be put to use at any time.”
“I’m happy to help if I can.”
“The magic words. We have a hundred and ninety-eight favors, bubble bottles, and candy nets to set out. Mac, why don’t you get our newest slave started? I have to check on the Parlor.”
“Sure.” How could she have forgotten she’d asked him to come? And what was she supposed to do about this flutter in her belly that just wouldn’t stop when she looked at him? “Nice suit.”
“It’s not tweed. You look beautiful and professional at the same time.”
“Staff needs to blend. I’m sorry, I’m distracted. We’re on red alert. The CBBM may try to sneak the SBP into the reception.”
“Wait a minute.” His brow furrowed. “I think I’ve got it. The best man and the business partner. The one he had an affair with. He’s going to bring her? That’s rude.”
“At bare minimum. Violence may ensue. So.” She opened her camera bag, took out the mug shot. “This is the target. See it, report it. Okay?”
“All right.” He studied the photo, smiled a little, then folded it to tuck it in his inside pocket. “Is there something else? It feels . . . You seem upset.”
“Upset? No. No. Just distracted. I said that already, didn’t I? The bride’s upset, and that could affect the portraits, so . . .”
Deal with it, she ordered herself. Just explain the way things are.
“Actually, Carter.” She took his arm to lead him to a relatively quiet corner in a room that buzzed like a hive of hornets. “I did want to say I’ve been thinking we should discuss—Damn it.” She tipped up the walkie hooked to her pocket. “That’s my cue. Bride’s on the property. I have to go. I guess you’d better come with me.”
“Do you need me to get any of your equipment?” he asked as he adjusted to her hurried pace.
“No, I have what I need for this. Everything else is up in the Bride’s Suite. She’ll go there. But I need shots of her arrival. Just make sure you stay out of the shot.”
“Hey, Carter,” Parker said as she fell into quick step