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arm. “Go get something to eat, but leave your phone on.”
    “In case you want a quick escape?”
    “Just be available, wise guy.”
    Adam approached the building, walked under the long red canopy and entered the restaurant. The place was closed to the public tonight to accommodate a fundraiserfor the Youth Arts Center in Brooklyn. Local artists had donated paintings and photographs to be auctioned off to get the money needed for this very worthy cause. As usual, the event was by invitation only.
    He handed his card to the host at the door.
    Adam liked this restaurant, particularly the room where the dinner/auction was being held. Walls of windows spanned the circular space andglittery chandeliers dangled from the high ceiling. The tables were covered with blue-and-white linens. He caught sight of Elyssa near those windows. Once again, he noted that she was his type. Five eight, slender, and sleek in a black dress. She was talking to a woman in front of a group of photographs for sale. When she saw him, she motioned him over. She stepped away from her guest and kissedhis cheek after he reached her. “You’re late, darling.”
    “Sorry.”
    “Come, I want you to meet the wife of one of our donors. He couldn’t make it, but she was available.”
    When he got closer to the woman Elyssa had been talking to, his jaw dropped. She was tall, solidly built, with skeins of blond hair. It knocked him off-kilter for a minute because her high cheekbones and hazel eyes werean awful lot like…
    Low and husky, Elyssa said, “Adam Armstrong, this is Caterina Ludzecky.”
    “I thought so.”
    “Excuse me?” Caterina’s thick eyebrows rose. They, too, were the exact color of her sister’s. “Do we know each other?”
    “No. But I’m working with your sister, Paulina.”
    The woman’s whole face brightened. Full lips parted, and a familiar sparkle came into her eyes. “Youknow Paulie? Isn’t she a doll?”
    “I liked her.” A grim thought invaded his consciousness. “I’m sorry for what happened to your brothers-in-law.”
    The sun went out of Caterina’s eyes. “I still can’t believe it sometimes. We knew them all our lives.”
    “Am I missing something?” Elyssa’s neck had stiffened, and her tone was miffed
.
Turning to his date, Adam explained, “I’m sorry, Elyssa.Caterina’s family suffered a great loss a few years ago.” As briefly as he could, he explained what had happened. “I’m working with Pettrone and Ludzecky Builders on the new music hall in Queens, and their wives run it now.”
    Elyssa gave her condolences
.
    A man rushed up to her. Adam recognized him as a member of the Brooklyn town board, who served as her co-chair. After introductions, hesaid, “Rafael Castle just came in. Would you be able to meet him now?”
    “Of course.” She nodded to Caterina. “Excuse me.” To Adam she said, “Grab some champagne and keep Ms. Ludzecky company.”
    Caterina glanced after Elyssa. “You don’t have to do that. I can entertain myself.”
    “I’d like to get to know you better. Maybe you can tell me more about your family.”
    She frowned. “The O’Neils?”

    “No, the Ludzecky family. Why did you ask about them?”
    “I’m married to Aidan O’Neil.”
    “Ah. The former president’s brother-in-law.”
    Adam recalled the story of the famous New York family. Four brothers, and a sister who’d married the now ex-president. He’d read somewhere what each of the brothers did: photographer, journalist and two ran a pub. Called Bailey’s. “Of course I know aboutthem. As a matter of fact, I read Dylan and Rachel’s book about the family. I’ve got his others on my TBR pile.”
    “I don’t discuss them with anybody, Adam.”
    “I’d rather hear about
your
clan. Tell me about seven girls and one boy growing up in one house.”
    Her eyes filled with mirth again. “I’ll do you one better. Come over here.”
    They walked down the row of photographs, then turneda corner. And Adam