Beth laughed at the absurdity of it all. He had taken her to the City and County of Los Angeles' policeman's benefit ball where now she was being introduced ... again ... to Chief of Police William Bratton. The man was all puffed up, bragging about homicides being down 41% in the six years he had been in charge. She kept it to herself that she knew he had cooked the books somewhat on those statistics. After all, Trevor's staff were all very good at their jobs.
Josef whispered in her ear, "I pulled a few strings."
She smiled. "How much did it cost you?"
"A few million, give or take." At her surprise, he quipped "for the orphans and widow's fund. Never fails."
Carl Davis had looked like he wanted to come over as soon as they had entered the huge ballroom, but Beth noted his hesitation. Must be her date, although Josef seemed to be on great terms with all the men in blue, laughing and mingling. Still, it did tend to make her inaccessible so she made a point of going over to talk to Carl.
She smiled again, for she was enjoying herself. She had been served a reasonably good California champagne and as she sipped, she heard Josef's mobile ring. A very distinctive bell chime. It seemed familiar. Oh, its that new mac Iphone. Trust him to have only the newest and best.
What did she hear him say? Something about daddy being angry? She looked questioningly, but he just lifted his shoulders in a shrug. "I'll let it go to voice and then I'll shut it down. I'm off for the night, to hell with the markets. I'm with a beautiful woman and we're going to dance the night away."
Beth laughed. It was heady stuff, this charming side of Josef. But she knew with all rich and powerful men, they had their dark side, too.
She wondered what was his?