She looked down. “Oh, darn.” Her eyes met his, and she cocked her head to one side, challenging him, daring him to make further comment. “I’ve got another pair like these. They’re my clown socks.” She had pale blue eyes and near-translucent skin. Ted imagined she wore hats and 55 SPF all summer to avoid getting freckles. He wanted to tell her not to worry—she’d look great in anything, including freckles. He couldn’t remember why he had been in such a hurry the other day.

“Okay,” he said, “but you’re a happy clown.” How old was she? It was hard to tell. Younger than him by a decade, at least. She carried herself with a confidence that added a few years. Twenty-nine, he decided. Exactly a decade. She was too young for him. And too intense. But she was a beauty. And there was that voice.

She frowned for an instant, possibly distressed that he was refusing to take her seriously. But instead of cutting him dead, she looked into his face. Then she surprised him by granting both the smile and an extended hand. “Kenzie Zielinski. I’m a community organizer.”

“‘McKenzie from Ridgewood’?” He took the hand and was pleased by her strong grip. “You were on NPR yesterday. I knew I recognized that voice.”

She smiled again. Ted thought it a very good smile.

“You heard me? Yeah, Kenzie or McKenzie, I answer to both. I can’t believe they cut me off. Kevin Pak is such a crook. They’re all crooks.” She laughed and threw up her hands in a gesture indicating acceptance of inevitability. “It’s a thankless job, I know. Why would you be a city councilman if you couldn’t skim a little, right?”

“I hadn’t given it much thought.”

“Typical. You see? That’s exactly what I’m up against. People won’t recognize a threat until it’s too late to do anything about it. Now answer me. What were you doing with the Brighton Beach Banking Association back there? You don’t look their type.”

“I suppose I should be flattered,” he said. So far, the charm assault had been a bust. On the other hand, she wasn’t preaching or lecturing. They were talking. Talking was good.

She looked him over. “You’re not a regular here.”

“I used to be. I’ve been breaking in a new research assistant.”

“Lester. Yeah. Everybody knows Lester.”

Did he detect a hint of dislike or disapproval? “That doesn’t sound like an endorsement.”

“He’s all right. I want to know where you stand on the Spike.”

“The tower? I think it’s both ugly and going to happen no matter what.”

A flicker of a scowl. “You’re half-right. I hear you’re looking into the history on some of those properties.”