thirty-two

Sometime later, Nigel and I wandered over to where Jeremy stood quietly talking with his agent, Julie. They looked like an ad for an edgy, European designer. Jeremy wore an expertly tailored suit of worsted wool. His hair was slicked back with gel to the point that it almost looked polished. Julie was wearing an elegant black sheath that managed to be somber and sexy all at the same time. She wore her hair in a loose upsweep that Nigel referred to as the “naughty secretary.” Julie saw us first and discreetly nudged Jeremy to alert him of our presence. Jeremy glanced our way and offered us a small wave.

“So this is pretty horrible,” he said by way of a greeting. “I don’t think I’ve ever been to the funeral of someone who was murdered before.”

Julie sucked in a sharp breath. “Jeremy!” she admonished. “What a horrid thing to say!”

Jeremy looked down at her with a blank stare. “What?” he asked. “All I said was that Dan was murdered. It’s not like it’s a secret or anything. I mean, it’s why we’re all here.”

Julie shot him a quelling look before turning to Nigel and me with an apologetic smile. “You’ll have to excuse Jeremy,” she said. “He spends so much of his time acting that he sometimes forgets to be human.”

Jeremy rolled his eyes and took a sip of his wine. “Oh, so we’re just supposed to ignore the elephant in the room?” he asked.

Julie rolled her eyes in exasperation, “Yes, darling. It’s called conversing in polite society. You should try it sometime.”

“Sounds deadly dull,” Jeremy observed before taking another sip from his glass.

Julie shot him a censorious look before turning to me. “How is Harper doing?” she asked. “I was only able to speak to her briefly at the funeral. And of course a receiving line is no place for a heart-to-heart.”

I took a sip of my own drink before answering. “She’s doing well, all things considered,” I said. “To be honest, I think it’s Gracie that’s kept her sane. She won’t allow herself to fall apart because she knows Gracie needs her.”

Julie nodded. “She is an adorable baby.” There was a pause as all of us took a sip of our respective drinks. “By the way, who is the young man helping Harper with Gracie?” Julie asked, her voice casual.

“That’s Devin,” I answered, in an equally causally tone. “Gracie’s nanny.”

Next to me Jeremy sputtered. “That’s one hell of an ugly nanny.”

“Well, he’s a guy, so I think that might have something to do with it,” Nigel offered.

Julie glared at Jeremy. “For God’s sake, Jeremy,” she hissed. “Think before you speak.”

Jeremy blinked at Julie. “I was kidding, Jules,” he said. “Chill.”

Julie sighed and shook her head. “Why do I even bring you out in public?” she asked herself. “You’re nothing but a walking social gaffe.”

Jeremy produced a crooked smile and blew her a kiss. “Yes, but I’m a walking social gaffe that looks good in a suit,” he countered.

Nigel nodded in understanding. “That’s the only reason I get out as often as I do,” he said.

Julie laughed and then turned back to me. “So the nanny, huh?” she said before shifting her focus to where Devin now stood with a sleeping Gracie snuggled up against his chest. “Damn. He almost makes childbirth seem worth it,” she said.

Jeremy snorted. “Not going to happen,” he said.

Julie’s eye’s narrowed in annoyance. “I don’t see how you have any say in that, Jeremy,” she said, her voice now an icy blast.

Jeremy glanced down and mumbled an embarrassed apology. Julie shook her head and muttered something that sounded like “jackass.” Perhaps in an attempt to change the conversation, Jeremy turned to me, saying, “So you used to work with the detective that’s investigating Dan’s case.”

I nodded. “Marcy and I were partners for about five years,” I said. “We worked Homicide.”

“Why did you leave the Department?” Jeremy asked.

“The abridged version is that I got shot and ended up on desk duty,” I said. “The desk and I didn’t suit.”

Jeremy’s eyebrows lifted in interest. “What the unabridged version?” he asked.

“I got shot in the leg and ended up on desk duty,” I said.

Jeremy let out a short bark of laughter. “Touché,” he said. “Well, seeing as how you know the lead detective, have you heard if the police have any idea who killed Dan?”

Julie’s head snapped up at Jeremy’s question. “They have a few leads,” I said with a noncommittal shrug. “But nothing concrete yet. Actually, you two probably would know more than I do. I mean, the theater community is pretty tight. What have you heard?”

Julie and Jeremy exchanged a cautious glance. “Oh, not much really,” Jeremy said.

I raised an eyebrow. “Oh, come on,” I scoffed. “I know from Peggy that life amongst the theater crowd is a gossip’s dream come true.”

Jeremy shrugged. “That may be so, but I don’t feel comfortable slamming a guy at his own funeral. I mean, none of us are perfect. Hell, I’m living proof of that.”

Julie clinked her wineglass against his. “Cheers to that,” she said wryly.

“Oh, I know,” I said. “But don’t forget, I knew Dan, too. He wasn’t an easy guy to get along with. You’re not going to offend me by repeating something negative.” Jeremy eyed me doubtfully. “For instance, what are people saying about his affairs?” I asked.

Jeremy stared at me blankly. “Affairs?” he repeated.

“You know, with other women,” I said. Jeremy continued to stare at me in silence. “With woman who were not his wife,” I amended.

Jeremy shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. “Dan was known to be something of an ass, but I never heard anything about him cheating on Harper.” He glanced questioningly at Julie.

She too shook her head. “First I’ve ever heard of it,” she said.

“Really?” I said. “That’s interesting.”