She made the little head shake again and closed her eyes. “I’m sorry, but I just can’t deal with this. I’ve got Peter to think about. I’ve got Toby. My God, how am I going to tell him that yesterday he didn’t have a father but today he does?”

Pike leaned forward. “Tell him you’ve got some good news.”

Karen closed her eyes again and said, “Please.”

Four minutes later, Peter arrived. At first I thought that maybe Rommel and his Panzers were pouring through the pass, but then I realized it was Peter. Two black presidential stretch limos followed T.J. riding point on a candy-apple-red Harley-Davidson cop house special, T.J. in a heavy buckskin coat and World War I aviator’s goggles, circling the parking lot and revving his engine as the two presidentials skidded in. Peter Alan Nelsen climbed out from behind the wheel of the first limo and the Nickster climbed out of the second. The waitress and the bartender went to the windows to look. Karen looked at them looking and chewed at her lip.

Dani and a couple of scared-looking guys in formal black chauffeur suits got out of the back of the first limo. Everybody could have easily fit into one, but why have one when you can have two?

I watched Karen Lloyd–once–Karen Nelsen watch them and I touched her arm. “It’s going to be fine.”

“Of course it’s going to be fine.” She took a sip of her drink.

Peter came in first, with Dani beside him and Nick and T.J. sort of behind. Karen folded her hands neatly on the table in front of her and watched Peter the way you watch someone in the next yard, sort of detached. For a moment they looked at each other across the room, then Peter walked over and stopped at the edge of the table. “Hi, Karen.”

“Hello, Peter.” Her face was without expression and she did not stand up.

I said, “This is Dani. That’s Nick and T.J.”

Everybody nodded and said howareyas. When Karen looked at Dani, Dani’s big thighs jumped.

Peter sat down and Dani pulled up a chair from the next table. Nick and T.J. went to the bar. Peter looked at Joe Pike and said, “Who’s this?”

“Joe Pike. He has the agency with me. Remember?”

Peter looked back at Karen. “It’s been a long time, Karen. You look great.”

Karen nodded politely. “Thank you.”

The waitress came out from behind the bar. “What’s everybody having?”

Peter said, “I want a Budweiser. The guys at the bar, they’re with me so give’m whatever they want.” He gestured at Karen’s drink. “What’s that?”

“Vodka tonic.”

“Give her another.”

Karen said, “No. Thank you.”

Peter said, “You don’t want another?”