Preston’s head yanked around and he stared at Marina, first in disbelief, then it all shifted to anger. He started to walk forward, but Kyle put his hand on Preston’s arm and said something again. He must have been pointing out Marina’s date, because Preston looked over at Luke, his mouth forming a scowl before he turned back around to face a clearly livid Patricia.

“Apparently, we’ve made an entrance,” Luke said.

“Like that wasn’t what you were trying to do.” Adelaide’s voice sounded behind them and they turned around to see her grinning. Marina did a double take when she saw that the grouchy senior was actually wearing a dress.

“I didn’t even think you owned a dress,” Marina said, taking in the long, silky navy garment with a sparkly silver collar.

“I have one,” Adelaide said. “This is it. Take a good look. Maybe even a picture. You’ll see it about as often as Halley’s Comet.”

“I thought you said you wouldn’t even attend one of these events if you were bound and gagged,” Luke said.

“Well, that was before I found out you were bringing Marina as your date,” Adelaide said.

“And you were afraid you’d miss the show?” Luke asked.

Adelaide gave him a slightly disgusted look. “Boy, please. I’m here in case she needs backup. There’s only a handful of people in this town who will stand up to the LeDoux and most of them aren’t at this party.”

Marina smiled. “Do you have your shovel?”

“Dottie wouldn’t let me bring it.” Adelaide grinned.

“You’re here with Dottie?” Marina asked. “Did you drug her?”

“Thought I might have to,” Adelaide said. “But she’s a good sort. Got off her high horse and came because I thought you might need more support than you’d have otherwise.”

Marina’s heart warmed that the two older women had come to an event they usually avoided strictly because she might need them. She’d always been on good terms with both women, but Marina had never known that they liked her that much. It was a good feeling. And when all this mess was over with, she was going to spend some time getting to know the two of them better.

“Well, I appreciate both of you,” Marina said.

Adelaide nodded. “Tonight, I have something better than the shovel.”

Luke’s eyes widened. “You’re not packing, are you?”

“Of course I’m packing,” Adelaide said. “I’d leave home without a bra before I’d leave my gun. Doesn’t mean I’m going to shoot people. The LeDoux aren’t even worth the cost of a bullet.”

“I’m almost afraid to ask,” Luke said.

Adelaide dug into her purse, pulled out her cell phone, and waved it at Luke. “This little piece of electronics has taken down more people in the past decade than cancer. All you have to do is capture the wrong moment, put it up on YouTube, and it’s all done but the crying.”

“Genius,” Marina said. “Except for the part where I have to be the poster child for propriety or I’m just as guilty.”