Cat In An Alien X-Ray

Chapter 20

The French Connection

“They are so adorable,” Revienne said.

“What?” Max asked. He’d been trying to overhear what Van von Rhine was telling her husband, Nicky Fontana, about … Revienne.

“Switzerland” had been the word in their conversation that had gotten his attention. He’d been astounded to learn during the introductions that Van von Rhine had gone to an exclusive boarding school with Revienne in Lucerne.

Small world. Or too small for comfort and credibility?

Max reflected that his spy instinct was obviously dominant.

“Max?”

“Sorry.” He smiled with a shrug. “I was wondering whether my memory led me astray or not during my business conversation with Nicky Fontana. I hope that was Nicky. There are more Fontana brothers here than I would remember even without amnesia.”

“You were fine, and I still say they are adorable.”

“The Fontana brothers?”

Revienne laughed. “They as well, but I meant the honored couple. The handsome blond man and the lively little redhead. She’ll age as well as her mother.”

“Yes,” Max said, a bit shocked. “That pair do make a handsome couple. But … ah, the older woman is Temple’s aunt Kit, not her mother. And the honored newlyweds are the aunt and her recent bridegroom, the eldest Fontana brother. Aldo is over there by the bar.”

“Ah, I see,” Revienne said. “How European. I didn’t know American women were enterprising enough to marry younger men. And the other couple?”

“Engaged.”

“Friends of yours?”

“As of my return to Vegas, yes. And before.”

“Poor man.” Revienne took his arm. “It must be like walking on ice, living again in a city filled with people you don’t remember. Not knowing who’s a friend, or an enemy.”

“Oh, I think I was used to that,” Max answered, again surveying the people they’d been discussing. But their positions in the room had changed.

As he turned, he almost brushed the extravagant bouffant veil of the living-statue bride.

This concept had been charming when introduced but was getting to be annoying, he thought.

“What the—?” He moved Revienne so quickly aside that the champagne flute in her right hand spilled.

Temple was bearing down on them at a fast, determined clip.

“Oh,” Revienne objected.

“Max, watch out!” Temple shouted.