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“I thought about hiring him when we started the firm,” Brook said in jest as the bitter cold hit her face.
“That would have been an interesting hire,” Theo said with a laugh as he gestured toward his Jeep. “I pulled it around when you said that you needed a few more minutes.”
Brook decided that she would wait to tell the team that she had once again reached out to Scotty Nevin. There was no reason to even have such a conversation if nothing came of Scotty’s recollection from so many years ago.
Once Theo had helped her into the passenger seat, it wasn’t long after that he’d settled in behind the steering wheel. They made it to the venue with little traffic to contend with due to the timing of the event. Rush hour traffic had faded, and Monday night tended to be rather quiet.
“I’ve got to hand it to Bit,” Theo said as they passed the black 2022 Mercedes Sprinter technical van. He’d parked it across from the valet, and it blended in with the dark of night. “He did an exceptional job in outfitting that vehicle. There isn’t an antenna to be seen. He’s been talking about acquiring state of the art earpieces, so that we can communicate in real time.”
“It’s only a matter of time before the NSA or CIA tries to steal him,” Brook muttered as she picked up her red clutch that she’d nestled beside her in the seat. It was their turn in the valet line, and the attendant was already reaching for her door handle. “Ready?”
“Does my eyepatch match my tux?”
Brook refrained from rolling her eyes as she braced herself for the cold. She hadn’t needed to do so in light of the portable heaters and clear plastic panels positioned on both sides of the entryway. It was a nice touch for the attendees, and she exhaled in comfort as her red high heels hit the pavement.
Theo made it around the Jeep in record time, taking over for the valet attendant. She rested her hand on his arm as they advanced in unison toward the door that was currently being opened just for them. Theo murmured his appreciation as they walked through the entry. Before too long, his dress coat and her cloak had been handed off to the attendant at the coat check.
Theo tucked the small ticket into his pocket.
“According to Bit, the only ones to have arrived at this point are Dr. Lance Heinsel, his date, and also his brother.” Theo held out his arm for Brook to take as he escorted her into the main room. “So, this is how the other half lives.”
Theo hadn’t exaggerated, either.
The large room was elegant in an understated way with what seemed like an abundance of high-top tables that lined each side of the room. This was not a dinner event, but the tables had been provided for those who preferred someplace to set their drinks while engaging in conversation. The high-top tables were covered with white tablecloths, and each had a white lantern-style centerpiece to complement the sophisticated atmosphere. Those in attendance had gone all out with their apparel, wearing their most beautiful gowns and tailored tuxedos.
In the back right corner was a grand Christmas tree that stood at least twenty-feet tall. It had been decorated with the color scheme of the hospital in mind, so the blue and gold trimming matched the hospital logo that was front and center behind the stage.
The hospital’s fundraiser should do well tonight.
Brook could sense the vibrations of her cell phone, but she hadn’t needed to look at the display that was discreetly tucked against her clutch purse. With her compact firearm tucked inside, there was little room left for her phone.
“Bit has definitely decided that he’s ordering earpieces so that we can communicate in real-time.”
“That doesn’t surprise me in the least,” Brook murmured as she reached for a glass of champagne that one of the servers had presented to them on a tray. Theo declined as he continued to scan the occupants in the room. “Two o’clock.”
Theo’s gaze swung in that direction.
“Dr. Heinsel and his date seem to be engaged in a deep conversation,” Brook said quietly right before she took a sip of her champagne. The sweet bubbly tingled her tongue and the back of her throat. “No sign of the brother.”
Theo gestured toward a high-top table to their right. Such a place gave them a perfect view of those entering, while also keeping an eye on those gathered in the center of the room. Holiday music was drifting through the speakers on stage, as well as the overhead speakers. There was no escaping it.
“You know, I thought this was going to be a complete waste of the evening.” Theo rested his right elbow on the table as he kept an eye on the entrance. “Then I realized you didn’t want to attend this gala to talk to those involved in the investigation. You want to read their body language. You’re still having trouble with the profile, aren’t you?”
“I wouldn’t go that far.” Brook finally located Gary Heinsel. He didn’t wear his tuxedo as well as his brother. As a matter of fact, the way the jacket laid on the man’s shoulders, it was a safe bet that it was a rental. “There are a few key factors that I’m waiting to add. It would help to have a cause of death on the other three victims.”
“I was thinking about our missing vehicles,” Theo said before abruptly changing the topic. “Incoming.”
Millie Gwinn entered the room on the arm of a male subject.
“Isn’t that interesting?” Brook hadn’t expected Kyle Paulson to be Millie’s plus one. It must have been last minute plans. Otherwise, Alex or the protective detail would have included tonight’s plans in their afternoon update. “I guess it’s not too much of a surprise.”
“I’m honestly shocked that she’s agreed to keep her protective detail,” Theo said as he monitored the couple’s progression. Mille looked stunning in a black dress with matching heels. “Once the focus of the investigation switched to Cranston, she was immediately moved back into the ICU. All of the previous prerequisites had been forgotten.”
“Which is what the hospital board is hoping that she does about the situation,” Brook surmised, noticing that Kyle was the one who stopped to talk to group of people. He was right in his element, with the exception of his tuxedo being a rental. Again, she could tell from the way the jacket didn’t quite form to his shoulders. She was beginning to think that her initial assumption at him being frugal was right on target. “According to the protective detail, there hasn’t been anything out of the ordinary in her daily life these past few weeks.”
“Maybe we should cut back and save the money.” Theo turned his attention to her. “We are doing this pro-bono.”
“I’d rather err on the side of caution.”
