Page 74 of Second Round

Margaret’s smile seemed forced. “Oh, they’re fine, Amanda. Still living in Phoenix.” She turned towards Brent. “Amanda, this is my fiancé, BrentWagner.”

Fiancé? No frigging way. What kind of guy went from someone like Jackie to Margaret? It wasn’t just about looks—even though that was like trading in your Maserati for a Volvo—but more how boring and bland Margaret appeared. Then I noticed Jackie’s face. It was like someone had slapped her. Clearly, she had no idea they were engagedeither.

Brent was in full suck-up mode, complimenting Amanda on her house and the “tastefulness” of the whole event. She smiled politely, but as soon as he paused for breath, she interrupted, “If it’s okay, I’m going to steal Leo and Jackie from you. My mother is dying to meet him, but she’s holding court in the living room.” Then she whiskedusaway.

“Leo, I’m sure you know this, but Mummy is also a shareholder in the Vice. She’s heard so much about you from Gregory and me. Sorry to mix work with your weekend.” Amanda laughed. “Although I know full well that if you weren’t here, you’d probably be working. Am I right,Jackie?”

When Jackie didn’t answer, we both looked over at her. Her eyes were wide and liquid, and it looked like she was battling back tears. She hadn’t even heard Amanda. Her social poise had completelyfallenaway.

“Are you okay?” I put my arm around hershoulder.

“Oh, sorry. I was—” She put her hands up to her face and leaned against me. “I’m inshock.”

Amanda patted Jackie on the arm. “What’s wrong? Can I do anythingtohelp?”

“No, I’m being dumb. Please don’t let me spoil thisparty.”

I scowled and told Amanda in a low voice. “Brent is Jackie’s ex-husband. And I’m pretty sure he hadn’t bothered to tell her he was engaged until this verymoment.”

Jackie scoffed. “Really, it’s not a big deal. After all, we’ve been divorced for overayear.”

“Oh good grief, of course it’s a big deal. And to find out in public, at a party.” Amanda was indignant. “Okay, Jackie, this is what we’re going to do. I’m going to take Leo in to meet my mother and leave him there. Then you and I will grab a bottle of champagne and retreat to my old bedroom. You can complain about your ex and if you like, I can tell you horrible stories aboutPeggy.”

Jackie smiled weakly. “It’s okay. I don’t mind her. It was more finding outlikethat.”

“That’s a relief. I don’t think I know any horrible stories about Peggy anyway. She’s so—urr, nondescript. The only negative is what herfatherdid.”

“What was that?” Iasked.

“It was more of a bonehead move. Both our families were partners in a big forest products company called Richardson-Whittaker. Our fathers were the second generation running the company. Gerald Whittaker didn’t agree with my father’s corporate strategy, and said that Rich-Whitty was going to be run into the ground. He demanded that his half of the company be bought out. Then to add insult to injury, Gerald refused to take shares. Having to come up with all that money handcuffed the whole operation for several years.” Amanda smiled. “But my father was right. By the time they sold the company, it was worthbillions.”

“So, the Whittakers lost money in the long term?” Iasked.

“Yes. A lot of money. Of course, my father had the right to be angry, but it was actually Gerald who held a grudge. I guess he would have preferred that an old family business went bankrupt than he be proven wrong. I’m surprised Peggy was even invited, unless she serves on some board with mymother.”

“Maybe it’s a double engagement party, except you didn’t know,” Jackie joked. She was recovering herspirit.

Amanda laughed. “Yes. Greg and Rebecca will have to share the spotlight. Well, hereweare.”

A petite blonde woman in a dress was sitting on a couch talking to Lucky and a couple of other people. Amanda introduced us all to her mother and then disappeared with Jackie. Jean Richardson grilled me on my hockey credentials and plans with a surprising amount of knowledge. Finally Luckyinterruptedher.

“Jeannie, cool it.” He laughed, and then assured her. “I wouldn’t hire him unless he was the perfect guy for the job. You’re not going to be able to criticize our new regime until the season starts. Then we’ll have our own guys and our own systems. You can fire us both at the end of the season if you’re nothappy.”

Her laugh was low and contagious. “I’m not sure Amanda would let me fire you, Christopher. And apparently Christopher won’t let me fire you, Leo. However, I do reserve my right to add my two cents whenever I see fit. Now off you go and enjoy theparty.”

“Where did Amanda and Jackie go?” Lucky asked me. When I said they were in Amanda’s room, he went off togetthem.

Jackie seemed fine after her talk with Amanda, but she wasn’t quite herself. We managed to have a good time and avoid Brent and Margaret, but when I asked if she wanted to leave early she agreed right away. We drove home without much conversation. I parked in front of Jackie’s house. When I turned off the car, she put a hand onmyarm.

“I’m sorry, I really don’t feel up to anything tonight. It was such an effort to act normal all night, and now all I want to do is collapseinbed.”

“Okay, that’s fine.” I got out of the car and opened her door. I watched her bare legs swing out and then she stood in front of me. She teetered a little, so I pulled her into me and kissed her on the top of the head. I sensed that anything else would be too much at thismoment.

She pushed off me and turned away. “Goodnight,Leo.”

I watched her walk up to the door. Her shoulders were slightly stooped, and her head was bent down. She looked older and burdened. There was a flash of light as she entered the house, then only the burning light of the porch illuminated thenight.

An unfamiliar wave of emotion and sympathy came over me. Jackie was a person who needed people for comfort. She shouldn’t be alone at thismoment.

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