Howard turned away and walked through the swinging doors into the service hallway.

Gerald stood in the main aisle, his shadow stretching across the parquet floor toward the stage.

He walked back toward table one, smoothing his black lapels with short, rigid movements of his fingers.

Richard Hail was already standing, reaching for his heavy wool overcoat on the back of his chair.

“Sit down, Richard,” Gerald said.

“The girl has been misled by her sister’s legal counsel.

We’ll have this whole misunderstanding cleared up before dessert is served.”