“Oh, didn’t you know?” Rinicker asked. “Channel 8 is here to cover the show. They’re going to do some interviews and, I think, maybe even a live remote for their ten o’clock news.”
That was when Weston Keyes, the host of Charleston Today, suddenly appeared.
“’Scuse me, ’scuse me,” Keyes said, shouldering his way through the crowd. He was wearing a heavy veneer of pancake makeup and an expensive-looking tuxedo.
“Mmn,” Grace purred. “He’s wearing a Brioni.”
“That’s expensive?” Rinicker asked as Keyes hustled past them, looking both officious and a little harried.
“Gracious, yes,” Grace said.
Theodosia saw the boom light poke up high above the crowd and then bob dangerously close to the glass case where the Fabergé egg resided. Then it was pulled back just in the nick of time. One disaster averted, anyway.
“I think they’re going to interview Timothy Neville,” Rinicker said. He smiled at Grace. “Come on, let’s go watch. It might be fun.”
But Theodosia and Drayton hung back.
“Did you know about this?” Theodosia asked Drayton. “About the TV people coming in?”
Drayton shook his head. “I had no idea. In fact, I rather despise the idea of a media circus.”
“But it’s probably good publicity,” Theodosia told him. “The show opens on Sunday to the general public, right?”
“I suppose.”
“Well, there you go.” She also figured that the all-seeing eye of a television camera, poised to capture any sudden moves, might serve as a serious deterrent to anyone who had plans to grab the egg.
Drayton nudged Theodosia. “There’s Haley.” He lifted an arm and waved. “Haley, over here.”
Haley, looking radiant and youthful in her borrowed blue dress, scooted over to join them. “Hey, guys,” she bubbled. “What’s up?” She’d swept her long blond hair into a topknot and, with high color in her cheeks, looked every inch the ingenue.
“Channel 8 just showed up to film the Fabergé egg,” Theodosia said.
Haley brightened. “Really? There’s TV here? Cool.”
“Youth,” Drayton mumbled.
“What’s that, Drayton?” Haley asked.
Drayton shrugged. “Nothing. Just making idle chatter.”
“Hey,” Haley said to Theodosia. “Great dress. And I love that sparkly pin you’re wearing.”
“Thank you.” Theodosia grabbed one of Haley’s hands. “And I’m so glad you came with us tonight.”
Haley grinned. “Well, I didn’t exactly come with you.”
“You know what I mean. It gave Drayton a good excuse to cash in some of his currency as a board member. To add your name to the list with all the Gold Circle patrons.”
“Gotcha,” Haley said. She glanced around, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “I would so love a drink.”
“Let me . . .” Drayton said. He waved a hand at one of the waiters, who saw him, nodded, and started their way. “Here we go. This young man has a fresh tray of drinks for us . . .”
“Wonderful,” Theodosia said as the waiter slid to a graceful stop in front of her. He was tall with warm brown eyes and long hair that was pulled neatly into a low ponytail. She grabbed a flute of champagne from the tray and smiled her thanks at the young waiter. Then her smile faltered and she said, “Wait a minute . . . Don’t I know you?” His face swam into focus a little more clearly and she stammered, “Aren’t you . . . ?”
“Billy Grainger,” Haley said.
Theodosia literally felt her jaw drop. “You’re . . . one of the waiters here tonight?” Her words came out in a sharp rasp.
Grainger put one hand behind his back and nodded smartly. “At your service, ma’am.”
27
By the time Theodosia had recovered her composure, Grainger had moved on with his tray of drinks.
“What’s this all about?” Theodosia asked Haley. She had a feeling that Haley had somehow played a trick on them.
“I hardly recognized him without his motorcycle,” Drayton said.
But Haley was completely wide-eyed and innocent. “Why are you two acting so weird?” she asked. “This is what Billy does. He’s a waiter. I thought you knew that. He works at Ellington’s Char House over on Market Street.”
“That’s all very well and good,” Theodosia said. “But what’s he doing here?”
“It’s no big secret,” Haley said. “Ellington’s is catering this affair. Which means Billy’s working here tonight. Which I think is kind of fun. And the reason I came.”
“You knew he’d be here?” Theodosia asked.
“Sure,” Haley said. “Besides, look at the upside. I get to hang out with him and we can have free drinks all night long.”
“They’re already free,” Theodosia said.
“Well . . . then we’ll get really good service,” Haley responded.
“Youth,” Drayton said. And this time he didn’t bother to mumble.
? ? ?
“What can I say?” Theodosia said to Drayton. “Is Haley really that much of a blithe spirit?”
“To answer your question, yes. That girl is totally without guile.”
“You didn’t think she was trying to put one over on us?”
“I certainly don’t know what her rationale would have been.”