Remi’s expression turned skeptical. “Have you ever been to a high-ticket fundraiser?”
“Never. But I have done my share of required dinners in D.C.”
“Well, then you know, walking in as a couple will be far less noticeable. Especially when at least one of them speaks Greek.” She smiled, trying to calm the waters. But she couldn’t help herself. “Of course, you’re welcome to take Nikos or Dimitris as your date.”
As much as he didn’t want her anywhere close to that house, she presented an almost indisputable argument on why she was the right choice. A couple would blend into the background far better than a single man. “What do you think, Nikos?”
“I agree, going together may be the best way to get in.”
Sam called Selma back, saying, “Two tickets, please.”
“Under what name?”
He looked at Remi. “I suppose we should pose as husband and wife?”
“Quick courtship?” A spark of amusement lit her green eyes. “Sure.”
“Sam and Remi Fargo,” he said into the phone.
Again, the rapid keyboard clicking, then, “Credit card?”
Sam reached into his pocket and read the numbers to Selma.
“Anything else, Mr. Fargo?”
“You could call me Sam . . .”
“I’ll email you the tickets as soon as they come through.”
“Thank you.”
“Glad to help, Mr. Fargo. Call if you need anything else.”
“How to arrive?” Remi asked as he texted Rube with an update. “We can’t take this boat. They’ll recognize it.”
“I have another cousin,” Nikos said, “who owns a water taxi. We can use that to drive you in.”
“Looks like we have everything we need,” Sam said.
“Except clothes,” Remi replied. “You’ll need a tux. And shoes. The whole nine yards.”
“What about you, Remi?” Dimitris asked.
Thinking back to those strappy shoes and that evening dress hanging in the bungalow closet, Sam said, “Oh, don’t worry about Remi. She doesn’t travel light. She has all her bases covered, packs for every occasion.”
She opened up a website on her phone. “Here you go, Fargo.”
He looked at the price, then whistled. One rental tuxedo was by Versace, the other was Ralph Lauren. Where was Jos. A. Bank? Regardless of which one he picked, he’d have to buy the patent leather shoes, dress shirt, a
nd cuff link and stud set. “At least they throw in the bow tie.”
“That bow tie is awful. We’ll have to buy one,” Remi added. “It’s the little things that can’t be overlooked.”
Sam rolled his eyes skyward. “That’ll put a pretty good dent into the slush fund.”
“Half the battle of getting past the gatekeepers is looking the part.”
* * *