“She didn’t share her findings, but I know they both like you.”
“They didn’t say that.”
“They didn’t say the opposite. That’s important.”
Henri found us. I didn’t expect that.
“Luca,” he smiled. “You’re looking well.”
“Henri.” I shook his hand.
His grip had been firm in the past. Now, the strength behind it was gone.
We exchanged the standard pleasantries. He shared observations about the reception and the committee. He said he’d been retained in an advisory role by the Preservation Board and joked that he was too old for planning meetings that ran past nine. Then he spoke about his true purpose in finding me.
“I wanted to say—and I realize this is an odd thing to say at a cocktail reception—that whatever the city makes of Dominic’s anniversary, the work behind the moment matters, even if it doesn’t make it into the record.”
I waited for more.
“Those people deserve acknowledgment,” he said. “I believe that sincerely.”
“Most everyone here would agree with you.”
“Yes, in principle, and that is a comfortable stance. It requires no investment.”
He touched my arm once, lightly. “Give my best to Dominic.”
Henri moved away.
The conversation was heavier than it appeared. It explained his composure. He’d settled into a cold, deliberateunderstanding of the upcoming celebration concert. I thought about the handwriting on the funeral march. Unhurried. Technically accomplished.
Thiago stepped up to my left shoulder. I shared the details of the conversation, including the weakness in Henri’s grip.
“He knows someone in your household is paying attention.”
Thiago looked toward Henri, who had rejoined the cluster near the windows.
“He’s done with agreeing in principle,” Thiago said.
“Yes.”
A late afternoon storm arrived without warning, which was not unusual for the latter days of summer. The first thunderclap sounded directly overhead, rattling the windows and causing the chandeliers to sway slightly. Full sheets of rain followed within seconds.
I was in motion before I understood that the sharp report was only weather. Thiago also responded, and we rushed through the room to Dominic’s side.
He turned and looked at both of us. “Thunder,” he said.
I nodded. “Yes.”
“Are we all in agreement that it was, in fact, thunder?”
“Yes,” Thiago added.
“Then perhaps we can resume the festivities.” He lifted his wineglass and turned back toward his friend, Alden Prejean, who had watched the three of us with open curiosity.
“I didn’t know you brought security, Dominic.”
“Thiago workswithme.“ Dominic moved on in his conversation. “You were saying something about the endowment committee.”
