When they finally got it together, Jack let loose with a shrill whistle that said it all. The women all giggled while the guys just gawked. In stupefied amazement. Or as Yoko said later, their expressions were the ultimate compliment, and who could ask for anything more.

“Okay, everyone, partner up and let’s get this show on the road,” Annie said, reaching for Fergus’s arm. Myra followed suit by taking Charles’s arm and heading out to the waiting limousines. The others followed.

The three long stretch limousines were their own parade into the District and to the Four Seasons, which was lit up like the Fourth of July. The media and security were everywhere.

Invitations clutched in hand, the girls and boys of Pinewood exited the limousines as the hawkers who always appeared at functions like this whistled and shouted their approval of the women’s attire.

Inside, after going through three different security checkpoints, the group made it to the ballroom and were told to go to their assigned table, which they did. Fortunately, Dennis’s Welmed table was right next to Annie’s table on the left, and the Post’s table on the right.

“I do believe we have it covered, people,” Annie said.

“The acoustics in here are terrible,” Myra said as she strained to hear whatever it was that Nikki was saying. Finally, she gave up and shrugged.

“A drink would be nice,” Jack said. Almost immediately, a juice box was placed in his hand by a hovering waiter. “This isn’t exactly what I had in mind,” he grumbled. Harry laughed out loud.

“There’s no bar. They want everyone seated, so nothing can go wrong,” Nikki said. “Canapes should be coming soon.” When a silver platter was set down in the middle of the table next to an artful arrangement of orchids, the group all laughed, Harry the loudest. Staring up at them was an assortment of small pretzels, gummy bears, Hershey’s Kisses, and marshmallows.

Annie poked Myra in the arm and tilted her head to the side so she could look at the Director of the FBI and his date for the evening. Sparrow looked like a deer caught in the headlights, and Amalie looked like she was frozen to her seat. Her eyes were on the entrance to the ballroom, and even if her partner for the evening said anything, she wouldn’t have heard a word he said.