Read Online Up in Smoke by Charlene Weir - Free Book Online Page B

nodded. “In the kitchen, I think. I—”
    Into the stillness, whispers floated like tattered wisps of fog, with the faintest crystalline echoes. At first they were on the far side of hearing. Gradually, they thickened and shaped as she still strained to hear. Never came back. Never came back.
    â€œCassie, you okay?”
    â€œFine.” Why was she so surprised? Wakely had told her Jack was here. Her mind had simply refused to take it in.
    Governor Jackson Garrett, sleeves rolled up, stood at the kitchen sink washing dishes. Head down, he was listening intently to a young woman in a short black skirt and white blouse, one of the caterers. Funny thing, you always forgot how big he was until you saw him again and it jumped out at you. His dark hair was now liberally sprinkled with gray.
    He could listen better than anyone. Like you were the most important, most interesting person alive, like he had all the time in the world and he wanted to hear what you had to say. Even Ted never made her feel that way.
    Something long dead stirred, opened one eye and flicked its scaly tail.
    He handed the caterer a dripping glass. She snatched it and rubbed vigorously, held it up to the light to check for spots and gave it another brisk polish.
    â€œI mean, I’m holding down two jobs now,” she said. “I don’t see what more I can do.”
    â€œIt’s a cryin’ shame,” Jack said. “You need some help. It’s people like you, baby with special needs and a mother who’s takin’ medicines that cost more than she can pay.” He shook his head. “We’ve got to do something about this. You and me and every other person in this country. We’ve got to take care of those who need it. Babies can’t be allowed to die because it costs money to save them.”
    â€œGovernor?” murmered a dark-haired man with glasses, wearing a blue suit. “Rotary Club. We’re late.”
    â€œTodd keeps me on schedule.” Jack took the dishtowel from the caterer, wiped his hands and gave it back to her. Engulfing one of her hands in both of his, he said, “I’m glad you told me about your son. You’re a brave young woman.”
    Tears came to her eyes.
    Todd, keeper of the schedule, held a coat and Jack shrugged into it. Just before he ducked out the kitchen door, he spotted her. “Cassie. Oh my God, Cassie.”
    â€œGovernor—?” Todd said.
    â€œRight. I’m coming. Cassie. Lord, Cassie, this—. Listen, I’ve got to go, but we’re out at the farm. Meet us there at twelve-thirty.”
    He stared at her a second, nodded, picked up a cane, and limped out.

12
    Cass found Bernie, told him she wanted to go home, and went in search of her hostess who was on the patio dancing to the noise that passed itself off as music. When an arm shimmied by, she grabbed it and extracted Eva from the man either dancing with her, or just in the vicinity and having a very expressive moment of his own.
    â€œEva,” she shouted. “I’m dead on my feet. I have to go. It’s been a lovely party.”
    â€œYou won’t hate me forever because I didn’t tell you Jack would be here?”
    â€œDon’t be silly. That was all a long time ago.” Another lifetime, another set of people.
    â€œDid you talk with Gayle?”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œGayle Egelhoff. She called asking how to get hold of you. I told her you’d be here and invited her to come.”
    Oh, Cass thought, the woman who’d left the message on her machine.
    â€œShe said if she couldn’t reach you she’d come, but since she didn’t show, I figured she must have talked to you.”
    â€œWhat does she want?”
    Eva shrugged. She’d had a bit to drink and her eyes didn’t quite track. “Her husband is Vince Egelhoff. You know, one of the smoke jumpers with Jack that awful time. When all those people died