When they got to the trailer city, everyone was paired with their personal chaperone for the evening’s event. Thankfully, Ms. Z. had been assigned to him, so he knew who would be looking after him. At precisely six p.m., Riley Moon started into her set. This audience was more enthusiastic about Riley’s return to the musical world after a hiatus than those in Houston. Ethan had only met Riley several times in passing, but she seemed like a nice older woman. He could only imagine how hard that must be to return to touring after having disappeared and had children to be virtually forgotten. At one point, Riley had toured malls across the United States and broke several concert attendance records of her own. Now, she was a footnote and relegated to an opening act.
A knock on his door interrupted him, causing him to look up from his phone. “Enter.”
Blayne walked in with Stephanie and Kira. “How are things back here?”
“Just waiting,” Ethan said. “Half of tonight is just waiting to go on. How are things looking up front?”
“Well,” Stephanie said, “Blayne tried to go out front, was spotted by a teenage boy who pointed, screamed and practically fainted at seeing him.”
Blayne pouted. “I thought we agreed not to tell that story.”
“No, you begged us not to tell the story,” Kira said. “We never agreed to that at all.”
Ethan turned to Blayne. “What did you do?”
“I turned and ran. The poor guy from the Metro Police Department chastised me for taking off without warning him.”
Ethan gestured to the couch and one empty chair. “Take a seat. It’s going to be a while.”
“But back to your first question. It’s filling up out there. Lots of people were out on the grass with blankets. I’m sure the food vendors are doing bang-up business,” Kira said. “There will be a lot of money going to charity tonight. You should feel proud of yourself. You’ve done a good thing here.”
“We’vedone a good thing,” Ethan said, being sure to emphasize the word ‘we’. “It was your idea, after all.”
Another knock on the door. “Enter.”
The door slowly opened. “I’m just checking… Hey, babe.”
Kira whipped her head toward the door. “Sarah?”
“In the flesh,” Agent Murphy replied. “I got the call this morning to fly to DC and help coordinate the interagency task force tonight. Lots of moving parts.”
“Why you?” Blayne asked. “I mean, not that you’re not qualified, but it seems strange to fly someone in from Houston to do this?”
“Trust me,” Agent Murphy admitted. “I had the same reaction. But I was asked specifically by the President to head this up tonight.”
“The President called you?” Kira asked.
“Well, no. The President called Director Steele, and Director Steele called me. I didn’t even have time to pack a bag. I was told a jet was at the private airport we use, and I was whisked away.”
“You’ll have to stay with me tonight,” Kira said. “You should see the amazing suite they’ve put me up in. It has a library on the second floor of the suite!”
Agent Murphy looked down at Kira and sighed. “Sadly, they have me taking the redeye home. Besides, the security part of this will take hours after the concert is over. It will be a long night then a long flight back to Houston.”
“Why are you going back to Houston?”
“There’s a meeting at the Johnson Space Center tomorrow afternoon. Agency heads from NASA, the FBI and the Department of Energy will be there. Should be fun,” Sarah said sarcastically. “But then, I’m off on Monday.” She looked at Kira. “You going to be back in Houston by then?”
“I’m flying back tomorrow afternoon. I have meetings during the day on Monday, but I have no plans on Monday evening.”
“Date night?” Murphy said hopefully.
“Definitely,” Kira said.
“Well, I’d best be finishing my rounds,” Agent Murphy said.
Kira stood and kissed Sarah.
“Stay safe,” Murphy said while exiting the trailer.
