“…influencer maybe…”
Ava ignored them.
She had almost reached the velvet rope around the vehicle display when someone stepped directly into her path.
“Excuse me.”
Ava stopped.
The woman wore an ivory pantsuit.
Short brown hair.
Wireless microphone in one hand.
Diamond bracelet.
Event badge.
CLAIRE WHITMORE
GALA DIRECTOR
Ava recognized the name immediately.
Claire had sent the final donor packet.
They had never met.
“Good evening,” Ava said.
Claire looked at her.
Not hostile yet.
Just appraising.
“Can I help you?”
“I’m looking at the display.”
“The raffle vehicle?”
“Yes.”
Claire smiled politely.
“Of course. Viewing is from behind the rope.”
Ava looked down.
She was behind it.
“I am.”
Claire’s smile changed.
“Oh.”
Ava looked toward the plaque.
Too far to read.
“May I step closer for a moment?”
Claire’s eyebrows rose.
“No.”
Reasonable enough.
Security around a prize vehicle made sense.
Ava pointed toward the plaque.
“I only want to read the donor attribution.”
Claire followed her gesture.
Then looked back.
“It’s listed in the gala program.”
“It shouldn’t be.”
The sentence came automatically.
Claire heard it differently.
“What do you mean?”
Ava realized her mistake.
Too specific.
She adjusted.
“I was told the donor requested anonymity.”
Claire’s expression sharpened.
“And how would you know that?”
Ava considered.
She could answer truthfully.
Because I am the donor.
Too soon.
Instead:
“I’m familiar with the donation.”
Claire’s eyes moved over her again.
The gown.
The necklace.
The clutch.
Ava saw a calculation beginning.
“Are you with press?”
“No.”
“Social media?”
“No.”
“Are you representing one of the sponsors?”
“Not exactly.”
Claire exhaled.
“I’m going to ask you to step back.”
Ava looked down again.
“I haven’t crossed the rope.”
“That isn’t the point.”
“What is?”
Claire’s smile disappeared.
“People have been trying to get photographs beside the car all evening.”
Ava glanced around.
Several guests actually were taking photographs.
One white couple stood directly beside the velvet rope posing with champagne glasses.
Claire had not stopped them.
Ava returned her gaze.
“I’m not taking a photograph.”
“You’re standing very close.”
“So are they.”
Claire looked toward the couple.
Then back.
“They’re major donors.”
There it was.
Not catastrophic.
Yet revealing.
Ava nodded.
“And you know I’m not?”
Claire looked irritated.
“I know our donor list.”
Ava almost smiled.
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
“Then this should be easy.”
Claire frowned.
“What?”
“My name is Ava Mercer.”
A tiny pause.
No recognition.
Interesting.