Alex quickly sat down, relieved that at least no one could now see his bell-bottom trousers.
“How do you know Lawrence?” asked the young woman on his left, after grace had been delivered by the Cardinal Archbishop of Boston.
Alex found himself stuttering for the first time in his life. “I served … I served under Lieutenant Lowell in Vietnam.”
“Ah yes, Lawrence mentioned that he’d invited you, but he wasn’t sure if you’d come.”
Alex was already wishing he hadn’t.
“And what do you do now, Alex?”
“I own a string of pizza parlors,” he blurted out, immediately regretting his words.
“I’ve never eaten a pizza,” she said, which Alex didn’t find hard to believe. After a long silence, he asked, “And how do you know Lieutenant Lowell?”
“He’s my brother.” Another long silence followed before Evelyn turned to the person on her left and began telling him when she would be returning to her villa in the south of France.
When the first course was served, Alex was uncertain which knife and fork to pick up from the large array in front of him. He followed Evelyn’s lead, before turning to the man on his right, who said, “Hi, Todd Halliday,” and shook him by the hand.
“How do you know Lawrence?” asked Alex, hoping he wasn’t his brother.
“We were at Choate together,” said Todd.
“And are you also in banking?” asked Alex, as he had no idea who or what Choate was.
“No. I manage a small investment company that specializes in start-ups. And you?”
“I own a couple of pizza parlors, and have my eye on a third site. We’re not Pizza Hut yet, but it can only be a matter of time.”
“Are you looking for any capital?”
“No,” said Alex. “I’ve just sold my old company for over a million, so I won’t be needing any outside finance.”
“But if you’re hoping to rival Pizza Hut, the right partner could speed the whole process up, and if you were interested…”
Todd wasn’t able to complete his sentence as he was interrupted by a familiar figure whom Alex immediately recognized, who rose from his place to propose Lawrence’s health. Alex admired the relaxed way the senior senator from Massachusetts addressed the gathering, without once referring to a note, but he couldn’t take his eyes off the woman seated next to the senator, whom he’d just seen on the cover of a glossy magazine in his hotel. He only wished he looked half as good in sky blue.
When the senator sat down to warm applause, Lawrence rose to reply. “I’m delighted,” he began, “that so many of my family and friends have been able to join me this evening to celebrate my thirtieth birthday. I’m particularly honored that Teddy was able to break away from his busy schedule to propose my health. I hope that one day, and in the not too distant future, he’ll consider standing as the Democratic candidate for president.”
Several of the guests joined in the applause, which allowed Lawrence the chance to turn to the next page of his speech.
“I am equally delighted to welcome to my home the man who made tonight possible, because if he hadn’t saved my life, one thing is for sure, this party would not be taking place. As you all know, when I was serving in Vietnam, I was wounded and could have been left for dead, but fortunately my second in command didn’t hesitate to take my place, and because of his leadership and courage, not only was an entire Vietcong unit wiped out, but he didn’t leave the battlefield until every American soldier had been rescued. As a result of his actions that day, Staff Sergeant Alex Karpenko was not only awarded the Silver Star, but made it possible for me to deliver this speech tonight.”
Lawrence turned to Alex as he raised his glass, and everyone in the room stood and joined in the applause, although Alex’s immediate thought was of the Tank, and the fact that he still hadn’t visited his grave in Virginia.
There was an even louder cheer when Lawrence announced that he would be standing for Congress as a Democratic candidate at the next election. When he finally sat down, the assembled guests broke into a raucous, out-of-tune rendition of “Happy Birthday, dear Lawrence…”
Once the laughter and applause had finally died down, Todd turned to Alex and continued where he’d left off. “If you do decide to expand, keep in touch. Yours is just the sort of company I like backing.” He took a business card out of his wallet and handed it to Alex, who was about to ask what sum he had in mind, when he was distracted by a hand resting on his thigh.
“Do tell me more about your little empire, Alex,” said Evelyn, leaving her hand in place.
For a second time he found himself struggling for words as he stared into her green eyes.
“I’ve just sold it.”
“I do hope you got a good price.”
“Just over a million,” he said, enjoying the attention.
“Are you going to introduce me, Evelyn?” said a voice from behind him.
Alex leaped to his feet when he saw the senator standing by his chair. Evelyn introduced them, and Teddy Kennedy immediately put him at ease as they chatted about Vietnam.
“You know, Alex,” Kennedy whispered, “if you could spare a little time to help Lawrence during his campaign, it might make all the difference, and I know he’d appreciate it.”
It had never crossed Alex’s mind that he could actually help Lawrence do anything. “I’d be only too happy to do whatever I can, senator,” he heard himself saying.
“That’s good of you, Alex. Let’s keep in touch.”
Kennedy’s words gave Alex a little more confidence, and made him more determined to press Todd on how much he might consider investing in Elena’s, and what he would expect in return. But when he looked around, he saw Todd standing behind him, deep in conversation with Evelyn. Alex felt he couldn’t interrupt them.
When he sat back down he was surprised to find a queue of guests had formed, all of them wanting to speak to him and shake his hand. He answered every one of their questions, not least because it ensured he wouldn’t have to venture onto the dance floor and make a complete fool of himself. When he noticed the first guests departing just before midnight, Alex decided that after he’d had a word with Todd, he’d also slip away, but first he asked a passing waiter where the restroom was.
“Follow me,” said Evelyn, who’d appeared from nowhere.
Alex happily obeyed. She took his hand and led him up a wide marble staircase to the first floor, and opened a set of double doors into a bedroom that was larger than Alex’s flat in Brighton Beach.
“Use my private bathroom,” she said, gesturing toward a door on the far side of the room.
“Thank you,” said Alex, as he disappeared into a room that had a bath and a shower. He smiled as he washed his hands and straightened his tie, now confident enough to ask Evelyn if she would call a taxi to take him back to his hotel. But when he returned to the bedroom, he couldn’t see her. He assumed she must have gone back downstairs to the party, until he heard a voice say, “I’m over here, Alex.” He swung around to see her sitting up in bed, her magnificent ballgown lying on the floor. “Come and join me,” Evelyn said, tapping the covers.
Alex couldn’t believe what was happening, but after hesitating for a moment, he nervously discarded his suit and shirt, and climbed into bed beside her. She immediately took him in her arms and began kissing him. He wondered if it was obvious that she was only the second woman he’d ever slept with. She finally leaned back, let out a loud sigh, and said, “I can see why the enemy didn’t have a chance.”
Moments later she fell asleep in his arms.
* * *
When Alex woke the following morning, and looked at Evelyn lying beside him, he still couldn’t believe this beautiful and sophisticated woman had given him a second look. He feared that the moment she woke, the bubble would burst and he would have to return to the real world.
He began to gently stroke her long red hair. She slowly woke and lazily stretched her arms, be
fore pulling him toward her. After they’d made love a second time, Evelyn rested her head on his shoulder.
“Can I ask you something?” said Alex.
“Anything, my darling,” she replied.
“What can you tell me about Todd Halliday, the guy who was seated on the other side of me last night?”
“Extremely wealthy, old money, but he likes to invest in new companies.”
“Do you think he might be interested…”
“I suspect that’s why Lawrence put him next to you,” said Evelyn.
“But my company is so small—”
“Todd likes to get in at the beginning. He says that’s how the real money is made. I only wish I’d listened to him when he told me to invest in Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, and Walt Disney.”
“What sort of sum does he usually invest?”
“Ten, fifteen million, and I’ve even known him to put up as much as twenty-five if he really believes in the person, and I could see he was impressed by you.”
“But what would he expect in return?”
“I’ve no idea,” said Evelyn, “but I’m not going to miss out this time.”
“What do you mean?”
“I shall be among the first to back.”
“You’d be willing to invest in my company?”
“Not in your company,” said Evelyn, “in you. Todd always says there are bullshitters and bulls, and he wasn’t in any doubt which you were, so I asked him to put me down for half a million. In fact,” she added as she stepped out of bed and put on a silk dressing gown, “if Todd is willing to back you, I’m going to have to sell the Warhol my grandfather left me in his will.” Evelyn stood in front of a portrait hanging on the wall. “It’s known as the Blue Jackie, and it captures that poignant moment when she realized her husband was dead.”
“I couldn’t let you do that,” said Alex as he followed her into the bathroom.
“Don’t give it a second thought,” said Evelyn as her robe fell to the floor and she stepped into the shower. “It’s worth over a million, and there are several New York dealers who’d be only too happy to give me half a million, possibly more. And I’ll let you into a little secret, I’ve never really liked it.”
Alex couldn’t concentrate when she turned on the shower and handed him the soap. Another first. It wasn’t until he was drying himself that he said, “I couldn’t let you sell the Warhol, not least because Lawrence would never forgive me.”
“I won’t tell him if you don’t,” said Evelyn, as she strolled back into the bedroom and opened a walk-in wardrobe to reveal row upon row of dresses, skirts, blouses, and shoes. She took her time selecting an outfit. Alex didn’t enjoy putting his old clothes back on as he watched her getting dressed.
“Why don’t we cut out the dealers?”
“Can you zip me up, darling?”
Alex walked across the room, zipped up the dress, and bent down to kiss her on the shoulder as he did so.
“I’m not sure I understand,” said Evelyn, turning to face him.
“I’ll act as the dealer, but with a difference. I’ll buy the picture for half a million, which you can then invest in my company, and I’ll return the Warhol when you repay me.”
“But why take the risk?” said Evelyn.
“There’s no risk, while the picture’s worth a million,” said Alex.
“And you wouldn’t tell Lawrence?”
“Not a word.”
“Then we have a deal,” said Evelyn as she removed the small painting from the wall.
“No, I won’t need to take it until the deal is closed.”
“Then it won’t be possible, because I’m off to the south of France for six weeks, and if I know Todd, he’ll have closed a deal with you long before I get back.” Evelyn handed over the picture. “I trust you enough to keep your end of the bargain.”
Alex reluctantly took the painting, sat down, wrote out a check for five hundred thousand dollars, and handed it to Evelyn.
“Thank you,” she said, leaving it on the bedside table. “Why don’t you come back to Boston next weekend? We can go sailing, and celebrate our new partnership,” she added before kissing him gently on the lips.
Alex couldn’t believe she wanted to see him again, and simply said, “I’d like that.”
“I think it’s time for us to have some breakfast,” said Evelyn. “But not a word to Lawrence about our little deal.”
“I’d rather not, dressed like this,” said Alex. “It was embarrassing enough last night, and it would be even worse at breakfast. In any case, are you sure you want your brother to know I stayed the night?”
“I don’t think he’d give a damn.”
“But I do.”
“You’re so beautifully old-fashioned,” said Evelyn. “But if you insist, you can slip down the back stairs and out of the tradesmen’s entrance. That way no one will see you.”
“I do insist.”
Evelyn shrugged her shoulders and walked across to the bedroom door. She opened it, looked up and down the corridor, and beckoned to Alex to join her. She pointed to a staircase at the far end of the corridor. “Don’t forget the painting,” she said, handing over the Warhol.
He reluctantly took it, and headed to the far end of the corridor.
“Look forward to seeing you next weekend then, darling,” Evelyn said as they went in opposite directions.
Once he was out of sight, Evelyn strolled down the broad staircase to the dining room and joined Lawrence for breakfast.
“Good morning, Evelyn,” he said as she walked in. “I hope you slept well.”
* * *
On the train back to New York, Alex couldn’t resist the occasional glance at the painting. Of course he’d heard of Warhol, but he’d never imagined he would ever own one, even if it was only for a short time. He already felt guilty about holding on to a picture that Evelyn’s grandfather had left her in his will. He couldn’t wait to give it back once she returned his half a million.
When he arrived at Penn Station, he took a cab to Brighton Beach, as he certainly wasn’t going to travel on the subway with a Warhol. Even before he showed his mother the painting, he told her, “I’ve met the woman I’m going to marry.”
* * *
Evelyn arrived at the Mayflower Hotel just after eleven. Todd immediately rose from his place in the alcove and waved. She walked quickly across to join him. Like the Cheshire Cat, she couldn’t stop grinning.
“From the expression on your face, my darling, I assume you’ve sampled the cream,” said Todd as she sat down opposite him.
“A large dollop,” said Evelyn, handing him a check for five hundred thousand dollars.
“Bravo,” he said after pocketing it. “Any problems?”
“None. You’d set him up perfectly. But we can’t hang about, because if my brother were to find out…”
“I’m booked onto a two forty-five flight out of Logan that lands in Geneva just before seven tomorrow morning. I’ll present the check the moment the bank opens its doors.”
“Just be sure you ask for immediate clearance, and call me the moment the money’s been transferred into my account. Then I’ll fly over and join you in Monte Carlo, and we can celebrate.”
“What are you going to do for the next couple of days while I’m away?”
“Make sure I’m available whenever Alex calls. At least until the check’s cleared.”
Todd leaned over and kissed his wife. “You’re so clever,” he said.
* * *
That afternoon, Alex phoned Evelyn, and they chatted for nearly an hour. He had to assure her several times that nothing would stop him joining her in Boston for the weekend.
On Tuesday morning, he caught her just before she left the house to go shopping. She promised to call back, and it was only later that he remembered she didn’t have his number. On Wednesday he rang her first thing in the morning—first thing in the morning for her, at least, because he’d already been to the m
arket and selected the freshest vegetables and the finest cuts of meat before delivering them to Elena’s.
She was full of news. Todd was thinking of investing at least ten million, possibly fifteen, in his company, and would be in touch with him later in the week. Evelyn wondered if he’d like to go sailing on the weekend. “We could visit my uncle Nelson in Chappaquiddick, and enjoy the finest clam chowder on earth.”
“Sounds great. What should I wear?” he asked, not wanting to admit that he’d never been on a yacht.
“Don’t worry, I’ve already been shopping and picked out a couple of outfits for you.”
Later that morning, Alex’s bank manager called to say they’d received a check made payable to cash for five hundred thousand dollars, with a request for immediate transfer. As it was such a large amount, the manager said, he was checking to make sure Alex wanted it cleared.
“Immediately,” said Alex without hesitation.
“It will leave your current account with a balance of seventeen thousand two hundred and sixty-nine dollars,” said the manager.
Which will soon be several million, Alex wanted to tell him, but he satisfied himself with, “Please clear the check immediately.”
* * *
Evelyn picked up the phone.
“The money has been transferred and I’ll be taking the next plane down to Nice. When do you think you’ll be able to join me?”
“With a bit of luck I’ll be in Monte Carlo in time for dinner tomorrow evening,” said Evelyn. “But first I have to let my brother know the sad news.”
“One does have to feel a little sorry for Mr. Karpenko,” said Todd.
“But not too sorry. I have a feeling he’ll cope just fine in jail, and then we can forget all about him. By the way, Todd, don’t forget to book our usual table.”
* * *
The butler hadn’t seen Evelyn running down the stairs since she was a small child.
“Have you seen my brother?” she shouted long before she’d reached the bottom step.
“He’s just gone in to breakfast, Miss Evelyn,” Caxton said, hurrying across the hall to open the dining-room door for her.
“Whatever’s the matter, Eve?” asked Lawrence as his sister burst into the room.
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