Wednesday afternoon, Michael pulled into the parking lot of the venue for what he was now calling the Halloway charity event. He was looking forward to the tour, and to meeting Melissa's boyfriend. He was, after all, her legal guardian and so should probably meet the young man.
And he and Devon had thought of a task to keep Melissa occupied. The Halloway charity event did have jewelry among the items being auctioned. Melissa had the auction brochure and the list of stolen jewelry. She was comparing them to identify potential items that might interest the thieves.
Michael went inside, and spotted Doris almost immediately. There were two boys with her, clearly twins. And clearly Halloways: they were built like Paul, short and muscular. Michael wondered if either were Greg.
"Ah, Michael. These are my two oldest boys: Paul, Jr. and Peter. Boys, this is Michael Knight."
"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Knight, sir," they chimed in unison, as they shook his hand.
"Oh, just call me Michael." So, neither of them was the boyfriend.
A short, thin man came over to them. "Mrs. Halloway, what a pleasure to see you."
"Ah, Daniel. This is Michael Knight, who will be assisting me during the event. He's here for a quick tour."
"I would think your kids were enough help," replied Daniel with a smile.
"Michael can do two things none of us Halloway kids can," said someone behind them.
Michael turned and saw a third young man, clearly another Halloway from his looks and short height.
"And what would that be?" asked Daniel.
"He can drive, and he can reach the items on the top shelves without a ladder. Hello, Michael, sir. I'm Greg Halloway."
"Nice to meet you, Greg." Michael shook hands.
"I assume you'd like the tour and commentary on what goes where?"
"I can do that, Mom," said Greg.
Doris waved Michael and Greg off, while she discussed logistics with Daniel, who was clearly the site manager. Greg led Michael around, explaining what would be going on in each room. He started with where the auction items would be kept, where they would be displayed during the event, and where the auction would be held.
"A smoothly-run operation," Michael observed.
Greg laughed. "It is now. Years ago, when Mom took over, not so much. Or so I've been told." He led Michael to a large room. "If Mel can come –"
"Mel?" That wasn't a nickname Michael had heard her use.
"When I was five, I lost both my front teeth at the same time and so was lisping. Garthe . . . found that amusing, and not in a nice way. The twins came up with the nickname: the first syllable of her name, so there weren't any S's. That's what we kids have called her ever since. My parents still call her by her full name. Anyway, if she can attend, if her hip is up to it, then the standard rules will apply."
"Standard rules?"
"Yes, sir. First rule is that we have to go to the buffet table – which will be over there – at least twice. One plate has to be half protein and one plate has to be half fruits and vegetables. And apple pie doesn't count as fruit."
"So no piling the plate with desserts."
"No, sir. Well, at least not until the third run. Second rule is that if we're not in the main room here, we need a chaperone. Not such a big deal now that Garthe isn't around. When he was, he would follow us kids and try to bully us. Which wouldn't happen if there was an adult present."
"Depends on the adult, I should think."
"Oh, we'd never ask Mrs. Knight to be our chaperone. She was too interested in being seen by everyone. And the third rule is that when Mel is tired, I find her a chair to sit on and then find either Mr. Knight or Mr. Miles to take her home. That rule –"
"Was added when she was ten."
"Yeah. And since Mr. Knight – her dad – is dead, I'm guessing you get to be the one I come find. Or Mr. Miles."
"Hey, there you are," said a girl, yet another Halloway. Michael was beginning to realize why Melissa called them the Halloway Horde.
"Oh, hey, Becky. Michael, sir, this is my older sister, Rebecca. Becky, this is Michael Knight, Mel's . . . guardian."
Michael wasn't entirely sure whether Greg had hesitated. That brought up an interesting question about who the Halloways thought he was. They knew he wasn't a son of Wilton and Elizabeth Knight. But they also knew he looked exactly like Garthe. Perhaps he ought to ask Melissa what she had told them. Or rather, who she had told them he was.
"Hello, Mr. Knight, sir. Mel asked for this. It's the mailing list of everyone who received a flyer."
"Thanks, I'll be sure she gets it."
Becky left, and Greg continued the tour. By the end, Michael had decided he genuinely liked the kid. He was smart, well behaved, and had a good sense of humor. Of course, Michael still planned to ask Melissa about her boyfriend. Or perhaps 'tease" would be a better verb.