“You don’t need either. You agreed to give me your full attention this evening. I’m not letting you sneak away early because of some emergency.”
She gave me a look that asked if I understood and agreed. I had a feeling if I balked she would tell me she could no longer work on the research I needed her for.
“Fine.”
She gave me a beautiful smile, happy now that she had gotten her way, before climbing into her car.
I cast my eyes up to the sky and shook my head before following.
Chapter Twelve
The Columbus Museum of Art was located on one of the main streets that ran through the heart of downtown Columbus. From the front, it had the same look as many museums, complete with oversized stone steps leading up to a grand building. The front façade was made out of white stone meant to imitate marble and came complete with columns framing either side of the entrance. There was even a stone lion staring down any who dared walk up those majestic steps.
We didn’t bother trying to park on Broad Street. It was one of the busiest streets in Columbus and during an event like this, street side parking would be impossible. Caroline drove around back to where several parking lots for adjacent buildings had been set aside for event parking.
Viewed from the back, the museum had a much more modern look. Weird angles intersected each other and the walls were made entirely of windows.
The parking lot was nearly full as Caroline pulled in and gave her ticket to the attendant. He waved her on. She parked in one of the overflow lots and we climbed out.
The heels were surprisingly comfortable. A fact I was grateful for as we’d been forced to park at the very end of the lot in front of the adjacent Columbus College of Art and Design.
A long pathway, lined with sculptures in a mish mash of crazy shapes and colors, led to the entrance. I was sure there was a name for the style, but I couldn’t have told you what that was to save my life.
Caroline handed our tickets to the usher at the door, who checked them against a clip board. He gave a nod and gestured us in. He gave me a sidelong, curious glance as I moved past him.
The entrance was a wide, open space with a raised ceiling that reached at least two floors above us. Sculptures hung suspended from it.
People milled around as waiters with appetizers circulated. Their conversation echoed in the large space, sounding like a dull roar.
Caroline paused and I stopped beside her, eyeing the gathering with skepticism. This was not going to be fun. I could already tell.
She took a deep breath.
“We could always blow this place and go get a hamburger,” I volunteered.
“No. It’ll be fine.”
“You sure? Because you look less thrilled to be here than I do.”
“It’s just – a burger would be nice.”
Now we were talking.
“But, I need this funding which means I have to go rub elbows and schmooze.”
Damn. I was so close to being free of this obligation.
“Not what I would have chosen,” I said. “Let’s get this over with. The sooner we start, the sooner we can get out of here.”
With the bearing of a queen going in to do battle, she advanced on a group of five holding champagne glasses and discussing a point of historical reference. I trailed behind her, snagging a glass on the way. If I was going to have to listen to a bunch of professors discuss the different schools of thought of historical study, I was going to go in well-armed with alcohol.
“Caroline, so good of you to join us,” a man wearing wire rimmed glasses said. His words said one thing but the superior expression with which he regarded us said another.
“Wouldn’t dream of missing this.” Caroline’s voice had that cool tone she used to get when she was dealing with someone who tried her patience. She gestured to me, “This is my friend Aileen.”
“A friend of yours?” a woman asked. “I didn’t realize you had friends outside of work. You never talk about them.”
“She’s been out of town for a while. She was in the military.”
