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And, besides, now that Stillwell had entered politics, he might turn out to be useful to David.
Captain and Mrs. Michael J. Sabara were the first to arrive. As Evans led them into the family dining room, Martha had the thought—which she instantly recognized as unkind and regretted—that Mrs. Sabara was a trifle overdressed. Captain Sabara was dressed almost exactly as David was, that is to say in a blazer and gray slacks, and that pleased her.
“I’m Martha Peebles,” she said, offering her hand to Mrs. Sabara. “I’m so glad you could come on such short notice.”
“Your home is beautiful!” Mrs. Sabara said.
“David calls it the fortress,” Martha said. “But I grew up here, and I guess I’m used to it.”
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Sabara and Pekach shook hands, although they had seen each other only two hours before.
“Why don’t you have Nathaniel make Captain and Mrs. Sabara something to chase the chill, David?”
As they approached the bar, Captain Sabara said, “I told you I didn’t need a tie. Dave’s not wearing one.”
“When you come to a house like this,” Mrs. Sabara said firmly. “You wear a necktie.” Then she turned to Pekach. “She’s beautiful, David.”
“Yeah,” Pekach said. “Look, Lois, don’t say anything about us being engaged. I think she wants to make an announcement.”
Lois Sabara put her index finger before her lips.
“You name it, we got it,” Dave said as they reached the bar.
“What are you drinking?” Mike Sabara asked.
“Scotch. Some kind her father liked. He bought it by the truckload.”
“I’ll have what Captain Pekach is drinking,” Sabara said. “Lois?”
“Wine, I think. Have you any red wine?”
“There’s a California Cabernet Sauvignon, madam, and a very nice Moroccan burgundy that Miss Martha likes,” Nathaniel said.
“I’ll have the burgundy, please.”
Staff Inspector Peter Wohl and Lieutenant John J. Malone entered the family dining room next.
“Who’s he?” Lois asked softly, as they walked toward the bar.
“Jack Malone. New lieutenant,” her husband told her.
“He’s the one with the wife trouble, right?”
“Jesus Christ, Lois!”
“Where’s the lady of the house?” Wohl asked.
“I guess she’s checking on the food,” Pekach said. “Thank you for coming, Inspector. And welcome, Jack.”
“The inspector said it would be all right,” Malone said.
“Absolutely.”
“You don’t know Mike’s wife, do you, Jack?” Wohl said. “Lois, this is Jack Malone.”
“How do you do?” Lois Sabara said.
