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“The onlyhim,” she replies coldly

Now I really a me? Wonders never cease

The Butcher gives a stiff nod, which could , and turns and walks away I’ the party, withouta scene

I look back at Aida

“You handled that really well,” I tell her

“Yeah, shocking, I know,” she says, tossing her head “You know I greith these people I sat under the table while otiated deals with the Polish, the Ukrainians, the Germans, the Armenians, when I was just four years old I’ watches”

“He’s got so in the direction of the doorhere Zajac just disappeared

“He certainly does,” Aida says She’s frowning, twisting the ring on her finger while she’s lost in thought

Myat it on her hand, I realize it doesn’t really suit her Aida would have picked so more comfortable and casual Maybe I should have let her choose her own or taken her to Tiffany’s That would have been easy to do

I was so angry with her after the circu that I never really considered what she htinto my house

I want to ask her what else she knows about Zajac What deals he’s done with Enzo But I’m interrupted by my father, ants to hear what Zajac said Before I can include Aida in the conversation, she slips away

My father is going on and on, grillingof everybody else I talked to tonight, and what they said

Usually I’d go through it with hilances over h

is shoulder, trying to see where Aida is in the roo to

I finally catch sight of her out on the deck, talking with Alan Mitts, the treasurer He’s a crusty old bastard I don’t think I’ve seen him smile once in all the times I’ve spoken to hi his hands around, and Aida is laughing and egging hihs, she throws back her head and her eyes close and her shoulders shake, and there’s nothing polite about it She’s just happy