“That’s all right, I’m not looking for a book. I was wondering if I could have a word with you alone.”

Agnes looked at the man. He was tall and handsome, dressed in a black blazer and a crewneck shirt.

“Remember me?” he said with a smile.

“You were with my Victoria today.”

“That’s right. I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself this afternoon. I’m Chris—I’ve been your daughter’s chief of security for almost three years now.”

“Security?”

“Yes, ma’am, that’s my job. Your daughter has become quite an important person, you know. She has to be careful; she needs someone to look out for her.”

“Then—she told you about me?”

“She was barely out the door before I knew all about it. You should have seen her—she was so excited.”

“Really? I wasn’t sure—she seemed in such a hurry when she left.”

“I think she was just overwhelmed at first. Imagine how she must have felt—meeting her own mother for the very first time. She thought you were dead—she didn’t even know you existed—that’s a lot for a person to take in all at once.”

“I didn’t mean to upset her—I wouldn’t hurt her for the world.”

“The important thing is that you told her. She’s so glad you did.”

“She is? She said that?”

“She sure did. Your daughter and I have become very close in the last three years—she tells me everything. That’s why I’m here tonight. She asked me to come; she sent me.”

“Why didn’t she come herself ?”

“Like I said, your daughter has become a very important person. She can’t just jump in a car and drive off by herself. There’s always a driver and at least one assistant and, of course, there’s always me—and then there are the reporters and the photographers who follow her wherever she goes. What you told her today was very personal, and she wants to keep it that way. That’s why she sent me instead.”

“What does she want?”

“She wants me to say thank you and to tell you how much she loves you—and she wants me to tell you she’s sorry.”

“Sorry for what?”

“For the way things have to be right now. She’d just love to tell everyone about you, but news like this would be very distracting just before an election. She hopes you understand.”

“I do—of course I do. I know Victoria can’t have an old sow like me around—that’s why I did what I did. I only wanted her to know, that’s all.”

“She also wants you to know how sad she is.”

“Sad? Why is she sad?”