“Connections are easier with wealth and position, just as anywhere else. My family might not be wealthy, but we own a lot of businesses around town, which adds up, I suppose.”
“I can’t see bubbles on TV,” Loretta complained, studying the screen in back. “When I get bigger, can I go to rallies so I can see the politicians in person?”
Jax turned around to see what in hell his precocious ward was watching. “Why would anyone in their right minds want to attend a political rally?” A sea of purple hats in the audience—a Swenson rally?
He looked around. The entire lunch crowd was watching.
“Because I’ll never meet the candidates in person,” Loretta answered. “And I want to see their bubbles.”
“You can’t judge a person by their bubble or aura or the color of their skin,” Evie admonished. “Actions count more than appearance.”
Loretta shrugged and addressed her milkshake before replying. “I know. R&R have twisted bubbles but they’re not bad. And Jax has a walnut-sized bubble—but it’s growing. People change. What kind of bubbles do politicians have?”
“You’re too old for your age. Go ask Gertie to turn the music down to a low roar, please.” Shouting about bubbles over the roar of oldies music probably wasn’t politic.
“Indigo children are old souls,” Evie remonstrated as Loretta dashed off. “You should encourage her curiosity.”
“She still needs to be a kid. That’s a conservative rally and everyone in here is watching it. What does that say for Ward’s chances as mayor?”
“That she won’t do well with Gertie’s customers, but that doesn’t mean much. They’re tourists and local establishment with money in their pockets and no need to rock the boat. Ward has little hope of attracting this crowd. But she’ll get liberals like my family, the college educated, and a lot of blue collars because of her jobs, and that’s a mighty combination—if she even has competition. Have you heard differently?”
“Still just rumors. If you can’t see auras on TV, why are you watching?” Jax turned to glance over his shoulder again. Swenson had his family on the platform, all blond, tan, and expertly groomed.
“He’s making his candidacy for president formal, and I’m trying to sort out his family. I think the big guy looking uncomfortable in the gray suit is Teddy, the creep who followed us.”
Jax studied the screen. “Yeah, he looks more like a guy who prefers a pick-up to a suit. But he’sDonna’sson, right? They’re letting him up there because he’s a state rep?”
Evie shrugged. “Or because he’s the senator’s oldest son or both. What I’m trying to determine is if the older woman in the blond wig with the face lift is Senator Swenson’s mother. There’s something vaguely familiar about her, but I can’t determine what. I’m assuming the woman with the botox smile is Swenson’s current wife. She’s nicely placed herself and her kids on the opposite end of the platform from wig lady and Teddy.”
“How can you tell they have facelifts or whatever? And isn’t that just a shade catty?”
“After a certain age, skin naturally sags. A chin that taut is not natural at their ages. And I’m simply observing, not criticizing. How we choose to present ourselves to the world is telling. If you fake your face, what else are you faking?”
Jax typed on his cellphone and summoned an image of the senator’s mother. He showed it to Evie. “Isn’t she the one the family is saying is demented and needs to be put away?”
Evie glanced from the phone to the TV. “Your image is just a bad snapshot. Someone caught her without the wig. If that’s her, they’ve dolled her up for the rally, but your picture looks even more familiar than doll baby up there.” Evie studied the face but decided she needed a full-figure image and gave up.
Jax glanced from the wrinkled woman with thinning gray hair on the phone to the TV image. “Think they drugged her? She’s looking a little glassy-eyed, and someone is standing next to her who could be a nurse or bodyguard.”
“Ooo, your mind is even nastier than mine. I like that in a man.” Evie produced a packet of papers from a tote bag she used as purse. “Gracie brought these over. She’s winnowed through all the Ives-Jackson correspondence to bits she thought might be relevant. I glanced at them, and I think Dot stole the top one, which would have been the newest, the one about potential lawsuits. I’ll have Gracie print another if you think these are important.”
“Dot, the little blonde from last night?”
“Yup. She says Clancy once went into anaphylactic shock from cat allergies. Iddy says that’s improbable, but if there were other allergens present like nuts he might also have a reaction to... Maybe the cat thrower rendered him unconscious?”
“I agree with Iddy. Sounds improbable.” Jax flipped through the stack and whistled when he reached the bottom. “Yup, my dad was definitely planning on suing Sovereign if they didn’t cease using his microchip. Looks like the suit never reached official stage.” He checked the dates on the letters. “Because the mine collapsed before one could be filed.”
“One more circumstantial nail in the coffin.” Evie stroked his hand. “Dot says no one was at the reception desk when Clancy was killed. I’m trying to find out who was supposed to be there.”
Before Jax could capture her hand, Loretta launched herself back into the booth. “Gertie says the music is better than listening to swine. I don’t think Gertie likes Swenson.” Impervious to the discussion, Loretta slurped at her milkshake, then grabbed a fry from the plate the waitress delivered. “Gertie’s bubble is shriveled.”
“I’ve created a monster.” Evie sighed and patted Loretta’s head. “No more bubbles in public places. It’s fun for you but other people don’t understand. Has Ariel talked to Iddy any more about turtles?”
“Can we go see the turtle? Ariel ordered turtle food, but R&R are working and can’t deliver it yet.”
“Turtle food should fit on our bikes, so sure. We can do that after lunch.” Evie turned to Jax. “Is there anything else we need to take to your sister, do you know?”
“Ariel is learning to accept delivery drivers and ordering what she needs. I have high hopes that once she’s settled into this new routine, that she’ll figure out how to come into town and buy her own turtle supplies. That she’s not ordering them online is a good sign.” Jax hoped. He loved his brilliant sister, but it wasn’t as if he could read her mind. “Have you figured out how to market your Sensible Solutions Agency?”