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They talked about where in Santa Cruz he lived, how long he'd been in the area and the colleges he'd taught at. Boling was interested to learn that Stuart still worked part-time at the famous Monterey Bay aquarium; the professor went often and had just taken his niece and nephew there.
"I did some teaching too," Stuart Dance offered, when he learned Boling's career. "I was pretty comfortable in academia; I'd done a lot of research into sharks."
Boling laughed hard.
Wine was dispensed--Boling's Conundrum white blend first.
But then Boling must've sensed a wind shift and he excused himself to head back to the computer. "I don't get to eat unless I finish my homework. I'll see you in a bit."
"Why don't you go out back," Dance told him, pointing to the deck. "I'll join you in a minute."
After he'd collected the computer and wandered outside, Edie said, "Nice young man."
"Very helpful. Thanks to him we saved one of the victims." Dance stepped to the refrigerator to put the wine away.
As she did, emotion took the reins and she blurted softly to her mother, "I'm sorry I had to leave the courtroom so fast, Mom. They found another roadside cross. There was a witness I had to interview."
Her mother's voice revealed no trace of sarcasm when she said, "That's all right, Katie. I'm sure it was important. And that poor man today. Lyndon Strickland, the lawyer. He was well known."
"Yes, he was." Dance noted the shift of subject.
"Sued the state, I think. Consumer advocate."
"Mom, what've you heard from Sheedy?"
Edie Dance blinked. "Not tonight, Katie. We won't talk about it tonight."
"Sure." Dance felt like a chastised child. "Whatever you want."
"Will Michael be here?"
"He's going to try. Anne's in San Francisco, so he's juggling kids. And working on another big case."
"Oh. Well, hope he can make it. And how is Anne?" Edie asked coolly. She believed that O'Neil's wife's mothering skills left a lot to be desired. And any failures there were a class-A misdemeanor to Edie Dance, bordering on felony.
"Fine, I imagine. Haven't seen her for a while."
Dance wondered again if in fact Michael would show up.
"You talked to Betsey?" she asked her mother.
"Yes, she's coming up this weekend."
"She can stay with me."
"If it's not inconvenient," Edie offered.
"Why would it be inconvenient?"
Her mother replied, "You might be busy. With this case of yours. That's your priority. Now, Katie, you go visit with your friend. Maggie and I'll get things started. Mags, come on and help me in the kitchen."
"Yea, Grandma!"
"And Stu brought a DVD he thinks Wes would like. Sports bloopers. You boys go put that on."
Her husband took the cue and wandered to the flat-screen TV, calling Wes over.
Dance stood helplessly for a moment, hands at her sides, watching her mother retreat as she chatted happily with her granddaughter. Then Dance stepped outside.
