Joan Pickart - Body of Evidence

Evan laughed. “Well, tonight I’m wearing a blue suit, pale blue shirt, as you can see, and a dark blue tie. In other words, I’m ready to go so pick something or we’re going to be late for the mayor’s party.”

“Here we are again. Going out because the mayor has spoken.”

“Yes, but this time we’re not squabbling.”

Jennifer wrapped her arms around Evan’s neck.

“Definitely not squabbling,” she said, then outlined his lips with the tip of her tongue.

“Oh, no, you don’t,” he said, pulling her arms free. “You start that and we’ll never leave this bedroom, Ms. Anderson.”

“That’s the plan, Mr. Stone,” she said, batting her eyelashes at him.

“We’ll make an early night of it. I know you’ve put in some very long hours to get that documentary ready to be aired and you must still be tired, but we really do need to make an appearance at this party.”

“Okay, okay. I guess I’ll wear the teal-blue number that you remember so well. The top blouses a bit and since I’m getting a tad tubby in the tummy it will cover the evidence.”

Evan patted the tummy in question. “How’s our baby boy?”

“He’s fine and dandy, and the morning sickness has stopped, thank heavens. Do you like the name Daniel? It just popped into my head today.”

“No,” Evan said firmly. “When I was in the fifth grade a kid named Daniel stole my Joe DiMaggio baseball card. I wonder if that’s why I went into the prosecution side of the law?”

“Oh, good grief,” Jennifer said, laughing. “Okay, I’ll remove Daniel from the list of baby boy names.”

“You could add Joe DiMaggio to that list. Joe DiMaggio Stone. Now that has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”

“Forget it.”

“That’s what I figured.”

The very well-attended party in the private room at the exclusive restaurant was in full swing when Jennifer and Evan entered, their arrival evoking a loud round of applause and shouts of congratulations to them both.

Lyle’s confession had made the headlines in the newspapers and was the lead story in every newscast in the country.

Mayor Ned Jones made his way through the crowd to vigorously shake Evan’s hand, then give Jennifer a peck on the cheek.

“Fantastic jobs, both of you,” the mayor said, beaming. “You look good, I look good, we all look good. That counts at election time. I’m more than satisfied with the sentence Lyle got. Oh, in case any reporters ask, the tab for this party is coming out of my personal pocket. The taxpayers are not footing the bill for this celebration. I invited everyone who had anything to do with winning this case. We all deserve to celebrate.

“Jennifer, you are a vision of loveliness this evening, I must say. Your documentary is the talk of Chicago at the moment, since the hoopla about Gardner is fading. Any chance of your film being shown beyond this area?”

“My boss is negotiating for prime time with one of the national networks,” she said. “Apparently they’re very interested.”

“Excellent. You deserve recognition for a fine, fine job.” The mayor patted Evan on the arm. “And our man here deserves every bit of credit he can get for the outcome of the Gardner case.”

“I appreciate your compliments,” Evan said, “but I really didn’t do anything to win this case. All the credit goes to Detectives Waters and Wilson. I made that clear in my earlier statement to the press. If they hadn’t found the ring in that pawnshop I’m not convinced I could have won the case with the circumstantial evidence I had to work with.”

“Nonsense,” the mayor said. “You’d have won. We’re spreading out this victory so everyone gets a piece of the public relations pie.” He paused. “By the way, I hear that congratulations and best wishes are in order for you two as well as the other heroes and heroines involved in this case. Ah, yes, that is a sparkling diamond I see on your pretty finger, Jennifer. When is the wedding?”

“Soon,” she said, smiling. “The sooner the better, in fact.”

“Fantastic. Months ago when I ordered you two to go out to dinner and settle your differences you certainly took me at my dictatorial word.”

“You have no idea how true that is,” Jennifer said, unable to curtail a bubble of laughter. “Yes, sir, we have a verdict in this case…marriage.”

“I must mingle,” the mayor said. “Oh, did you hear the latest? Cecelia has resigned from the boards of every charity she was involved with that hadn’t already asked for her resignation. She’s moving to Australia.”

“ Australia?” Jennifer said incredulously. “She doesn’t intend to visit her son in prison?”

“Apparently not. She’s packing up and leaving the country, didn’t even invite her grandson Stephen to go along. I must mingle, mingle,” the mayor said, then hurried away.

“And Cecelia Gardner calls herself a mother,” Jennifer muttered.

“Don’t get started on that subject,” Evan said, chuckling. “Hey, there’s Belinda and her husband at that table over there. Shall we join them?”

“Yes, that’s perfect,” Jennifer said.

They wove their way through the throng of people, being stopped often to receive congratulations and handshakes. Each time Jennifer replied with a simple thank-you, while Evan said the credit for the courtroom victory was due to the detectives who refused to admit defeat over not having found the missing ring. They spoke briefly with Josh and Maggie, then Colin and Darien exchanged best wishes for the future.

When they finally reached the table, Belinda introduced her husband Henry to Jennifer, then Evan and Henry exchanged handshakes and genuine smiles that reflected their long-standing friendship. Henry was a tall, distinguished-appearing man in his early sixties.

“So,” Belinda said, once Jennifer and Evan were settled onto their chairs, “have you chosen a wedding dress yet, Jennifer?”

“No, I haven’t,” Jennifer said. “I’ve been a tad busy editing the film for the documentary. Besides, I don’t need a fancy gown. I told you it’s going to be a very small group of people at the ceremony, you and Henry included, of course.”

“Are you starting a list of possible names for the baby?” Belinda said.

“Belinda, for crying out loud,” Henry said, “Miss Manners would tar and feather you. You don’t ask the bride-to-be about her wedding dress one minute, then inquire about names for the expected baby in the next second.”

“Well, why not?” Belinda said. “Would it become proper if we discussed the weather between the two subjects? That’s silly.”

Jennifer laughed. “It’s all right, Henry. To answer your question, Belinda, the name Daniel was rejected by the daddy-to-be about an hour ago.”

“The name Joe DiMaggio didn’t cut it with the mama, either,” Evan said, smiling.

“I should hope not.” Belinda frowned at Evan. “That’s a ridiculous name.”

“I liked it,” Evan said, shrugging.

“I still say,” Henry said, “that you don’t ask about the wedding dress in the same breath as inquiring about the coming baby, for heaven’s sake.”

“This baby is no secret, Henry.” Jennifer laughed. “I’m surprised that the mayor held himself back from mentioning our little bundle of joy. Of course, he may have missed Evan’s statement that has been quoted in the newspapers ad nauseam in the twenty-four hours since he delivered his pearly words. Apparently you didn’t see it, Henry.”

“I guess I did miss that.” Henry looked at Evan. “What did you say?”

“I missed it, too,” Belinda said. “Evan, what have you gone and done?”

Evan frowned. “Well, hey, I could understand the press wanting details on the breaking news about the Gardner case, and how did I feel about the documentary, but they wouldn’t stop there. They’d heard a rumor about Jennifer and me being involved with each other and pushed, and pushed, and pushed, until…”