Chapter 36

Just as the bride and groom, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Conner, were introduced and entered Pennington Hall to enjoy their two hundred guests and an expensive evening of food, dancing, and drinks, Patrick’s cellphone buzzed inside a pocket. The entire evening changed, becoming an emergency. 39: Now the Groomsmen

Pink color washed out of Patrick’s face as we exited through a side door of Pennington Hall with his right hand folded over my left one. His cellphone was clutched against his ear; the hand shook to and fro as he listened to the caller. We entered a short hallway without windows, and three doors welcomed us. One read Womenand the other Men. At the end of the hallway was the third door. Above it was a red emergency sign that said Exit. We pushed through the third door and stepped onto Cobble Way, which bisected by Cromm Street, and ended up on the sidewalk.