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The silence continued to grow as the cart driver took a service road leading to the back of the , the cinder block painted a dull yellow and lined with one-way doors probably leading to kitchens and service areas Frolers in A rising exhalation froet away, it would have been a perfect spot to act--quiet and unobtrusive, and the bodies wouldn’t be found until after the race But she wasn’t, and the rising adrenaline broke over her with nowhere to go Her pulse quickened as she got out of the cart
"Down the hall, through the doors, and up the stairway," Taf directed, and Peri halted
"Taf I’m sorry I said what I did about your mother," Peri said, and Taf jerked as if slapped "It was out of place, and none of ive Peri’s elbow a squeeze "No," she said softly, leading her forward to the double steel doors "You’re right I need to grow a pair"
"That’s not what I meant," Peri said "You’re not a coward She’s your o first, and feeling even h the twin service doors The sound of people laughing grew loud long before she saw them, and Peri balked when they turned a corner and the hall opened onto a huge roo out the staircase, and Peri nodded It was a fabulous southern affair, coalia at the base of it, her accent char access to the second floor Two men in servant livery waited to reject any unwanted visitors if needed Haves were being parted froanizer of the event wouldn’t be in the stands
"Go right on up, Ms Jacquard," the wo Taf’s name into four syllables
The noise muted as they rose, and the soft strains of a piano became more obvious The wood floor was varnished to a hard black "That’s ours," Taf said, indicating an elaborate door, and Peri slowed as she entered the sprawling observation roo ere expansive, and the co rooht colors ht black who threw their heads back to show off their necks when they laughed, her tax bracket The piano was live and the food in tiny portions Overlooking it all was Fran
Seeing theroup clearly from LA with their cool façades "Taf, a word," she said in greeting, then turned to Peri "You can sit if you want"
"Why, thank you very lance, her expression inscrutable Feeling as if she belonged, Peri eased down into the plush cushions of a chair with its back to the wall, where she could see everything It was the nicest thing she’d sat in for three days, and she stretched her ar the back of it to make the space hers From across the room, a man smiled and started over, but he jerked to a red-eared halt when the security men who had accompanied them in took up positions to either side of her
"No sense of adventure," she said around a sigh, then bea her hors d’oeuvres Happy, she heaped a little plate high Mouth full of foie gras, she beckoned over the ne "Thank you very, very lass, and he inclined his head, eyes bright
"Howard!" she called, seeing hi like an aallflower in his new suit and tie His dreadlocks were pulled back in a ponytail, showing off the elegance of his face but still looking exotic His face was daood," she said as he ca down in the chair beside her
"I could say the same for you," he answered, but his broas pinched
"What did you tell her?" she asked, suddenly concerned
"Nothing you wouldn’t wantwith her ht There’s tooin, too" Peri settled back to wait, the rich food not sitting well Everything was achingly, wonderfully fa her to leave It was only her need for their help in freeing Silas that kept her un That, and Tweedleduh!" Fran said loudly, then forcibly eased her features into a pleasant expression Taf, beside her, was pissed
"They’re posting!" Fran called cheerfully "Everyone to the s!"
The excitement rose Drinks were set down, and the little clusters of chatting people turned into a mob at the s as personal space vanished in the thrill of the race
Peri set her drink down, standing up as Fran strode to her "I’ve got a moment You, come with me," Fran said brusquely "Taf, you and Howard can watch the race"
"I don’t want to watch the race," Taf said, arms crossed over her middle
Howard looked between the tomen in unease "Ah, if it’s all the same to you, le" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true">