building. I never met the man, but according to my grandfather, he had a favourite expression. He used to say, “If America is the original melting pot, the blast furnaces of Pittsburgh provided the heat.”’
Once again, applause echoed throughout the great hall.
‘For those of you who are new to the Cathedral, we are currently surrounded by one of its unique features: the Nationality Rooms. Scattered throughout the first three floors are a collection of twenty-seven classrooms donated by many of the ethnic groups that helped to build our wonderful city. By simply walking down one
Payne stared into the crowd, making eye contact with as many people as possible.
‘One of our main goals tonight is to raise money for these rooms. Not only to aid the preservation of the current classrooms, but hopefully to build several more. This is our way of honouring the ethnic groups that helped shape our city and make it the special place it is today. With that in mind, we have representatives of more than forty countries here to answer your questions about the Nationality Rooms and to discuss our amazing plans for the future. Who knows? With a little help from you, that future might begin tonight.’
Amid loud applause, Payne glanced at the crowd one last time before he left the main stage. As he did his eyes focused on a solitary figure in the back of the Commons Room. She
Somehow he knew she didn’t belong.
3
By the time Payne made his way to the back of the room, she was no longer there. He glanced up and down the corridor, hoping to catch a glimpse of her, but a sea of people blocked his view.
‘What’s wrong?’ Jones asked as he approached from behind. He had spent too many years in the trenches with Payne not to recognize his moods. Even from afar.
They used to lead the MANIACs, an elite Special Forces unit comprised of the top soldiers from the Marines, Army, Navy, Intelligence, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Whether it was personnel recovery, unconventional warfare, or counter-guerrilla sabotage, the MANIACs are the best of the best. The boogeymen that no one talks about. The government’s secret weapon. And even though they had retired a few years before, the duo was still deadly.
‘Nothing,’ Payne assured him. ‘Just looking for someone.’
‘Does this someone have a name?’
‘Let me guess,’ Jones said. ‘The woman behind the pillar.’
‘You spotted her?’
‘Of course I spotted her. I had nothing better to do during your speech. Pretty boring stuff, if you ask me. I’ll be damned if I’m giving you a cent.’
‘Did you see what she looked like?’
Jones shrugged. ‘Couldn’t really tell. She stayed in the shadows the entire time, which is why I noticed her. For a minute there, I thought I might have to take her out.’
‘Please tell me you’re not armed.’
‘Of course I’m armed. I feel naked without my gun.’
Payne shook his head. ‘You brought your gun to a charity event?’
‘In my defence, you told me to wear a tux. You said nothing about being unarmed. Oh, and for the record, you also said nothing about valet parking. Or was that for white guests only?’
Payne laughed at the comment. For as long as they had known each other, race had never been an issue, which was why Jones felt comfortable teasing him. Both of them knew it was a joke.
‘Probably not,’ Jones admitted. ‘Once I thaw out, I’ll cheer up.’
‘You know, I actually thought you might enjoy yourself tonight. You’re always talking about history and foreign cultures. Yet here you are, bitching to me instead of mingling with the assembled experts. What’s wrong? Are you afraid they might be smarter than you?’
Jones rolled his eyes at the statement. ‘Come on, you know I’m the smartest person here. And to prove it, I’m going to pester your
Her initial goal had been to blend in with her surroundings. She had wanted to get a feel for the room before she finally made her move. But her plan wasn’t to be.
They had noticed her immediately, spotting her in the large crowd even though she had stayed in the back shadows of the Cathedral. Less than five minutes later, they had converged on her
Perhaps, she thought, her long journey had been worthwhile.
Perhaps these guys were as good as she’d heard.
Payne made his way to the registration table where he talked to the two female students.
‘Great speech, Mr Payne,’ gushed the blonde. ‘We were impressed.’
‘Thank you, ladies. But, please, call me Jon.’
‘Okay, Jon,’ said the redhead, giggling.
Payne smiled at them. If he had been several years younger, this conversation would have gone in a much different direction, but he decided to focus on the business at hand. ‘Out of curiosity, did any more guests arrive while I was on stage?’
The blonde shook her head. ‘Nope, Mr Jones was the last one here.’
The redhead corrected her. ‘You mean the
The blonde frowned. ‘Wait, why is he infamous?’
Payne leaned closer and whispered something.
‘Are you serious?’ she demanded.
Payne nodded. ‘Completely. If you don’t believe me, ask him yourself.’
‘No way,’ said the redhead. ‘I could never ask him
The blonde grinned naughtily. ‘But I could.’
Payne laughed for a few seconds before he got the conversation back on track. ‘So, you’re sure no one came in after him.’
The redhead furrowed her brow. ‘Wait! Do you mean guests, or
‘Anyone.’
‘Oh, in that case, some lady came in. She wasn’t a guest, though.’
‘What was she?’ Payne wondered.
‘A brunette.’
‘No, that’s not what I meant. Was she a student? A professor? Something else?’
‘She was thin,’ the blonde offered. ‘Does that help?’
Payne nodded. ‘At this point, everything helps. Did she leave her name?’
The blonde shook her head. ‘She didn’t leave her coat, either. But it was really cute. It was green and had big buttons.’
‘No,’ the redhead replied. ‘She walked right past us and stood over there in the back of the room. I lost sight of her after that. I was watching your speech.’
The blonde looked concerned. ‘Did we do something wrong?’
‘Not at all,’ Payne assured them. ‘You two are doing a great job. I’ll make sure someone brings you over some soft drinks and appetizers.’
‘Thanks,’ they said in unison.
