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be with you during your time of need. Ellen was much too young to leave this world. I sincerely hope that you’re feeling better with each new day,” Randy offered.
    For a moment or so, Quinn was silent. “Randy, I’ve had to deal with some crappy situations in my life. I have seen and lived with all amounts of grief. But never has my life been as devastated as it was, and for a while there was no end in sight. The rock of my life was taken in a heartbeat. She never heard me say goodbye.” he paused and then said, “It’s all finally coming around, my friend.”
    They caught up with each other for the next ten minutes or so. He was soon pulled away as the formal part of the gathering started. He enjoyed hearing kudos showered upon a public servant as deserving as Randy. He was a credit to the FBI and would be missed.
    After the event wound down, he slipped back to the bar to spend a few more minutes with Laura and Ned. As he sidled into the empty stool near the end of the bar, Laura said, “That was some high-powered group of folks in that room, Quinn. Did I see the attorney general arrive a little late in the evening?”
    “That indeed was the man who runs the whole justice show. It was a real tribute to Randy that he gave up some of his precious family time to be here tonight,” he offered.
    They continued to catch up, with lots of past highlights and gossip to digest.
    Suddenly, Quinn thought he detected a female voice addressing him. He looked around to see Louisa Hawke standing next to him.
    “Is this stool taken, Mister McSpain?”
    He was taken aback for a moment before he blurted out, “It’s reserved for a pretty redhead who plans to buy me a drink.”
    She smiled a sly little smile as she slid in next to him. He immediately felt her presence and tried his best not to show it. Laura winked at him from the other end of the bar.
    “What are you drinking?” he asked.
    “Whatever you’re having will be fine,” she answered.
    “I was just thinking of a great white wine I love that’s actually from a Virginia vineyard. Chateau Morrisette in Meadows of Dan makes Angel Chardonnay. Have you ever had it?”
    She looked at him and laughed. “First of all, where the hell is Meadows-of-What in Virginia?”
    “I guess you simply have spent too much time here in northern Virginia and have neglected the more scenic parts of the commonwealth.” He looked at Ned. “One bottle of Angel Chardonnay for the lady.”
    “Do you remember me, Quinn?” Louisa asked.
    “Let me take a look at my card catalog of great looking redheads who cut a gorgeous silhouette, are brilliant, and just happen to be sitting next to me.”
    She laughed uncontrollably.
    “Of course, I remember meeting you. It’s too bad we never got to know each other. I was busy helping Randy O’Brien, and you were busy being you.”
    “I understand what you did for Randy’s nephew. Your hard work saved his ass. We were all convinced he was guilty as hell. We were glad you proved us wrong. Many of us—me included—didn’t want you involved at all.”
    “I was happy to do what needed to be done. He didn’t deserve all the crap the Bureau put him through. Maybe I just got lucky in the end.”
    “Quinn, you were much more than lucky. You were very professional and got the job done.” She paused for a moment and then changed the subject. I’m so sorry that you lost your wife. Randy tells me that you were one of the most happily married couples he ever knew.” “When did he tell you that?” he asked.
    She blushed. “Well, to be honest, about an hour ago when I asked him if you were married.”
    They both smiled. Just then, Ned arrived from the other end of the bar, bottle and glasses in hand. “Hey, are you two ready for some great wine?”
    “I guess we are,” Quinn replied as he thought about Louisa’s probing question to Randy.
    As Ned poured just the right amount of wine into their glasses, his BlackBerry chimed with a text message.