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Serena inserted herself by taking Grace’s hand. “Gray, these nails are gorgeous.”
She smiled and turned her hand over for an inspection. Her nails were all a shiny white today, an unusual twist for her. I’d most often seen her with several different colors on a hand. Each nail today had a different cat picture on it.
Constanceohhed andahhed. “What do you think, Terry?”
Grace turned and Terry took her hand, tracing lightly down one finger. “Yeah, nice claws, Kitty.”
Even I saw the tiny jolt Terry’s touch caused Grace. When he excused himself, Grace tried to hide her glance at his ass as he walked away.
Constance arrived in her disguise. “I may have to leave early.”
I smirked. “That’s a shame, Gertrude.”
“Very funny.” Constance pointed at her prosthetic nose. “This thing itches. I feel sorry for those Star Trek actors who have to wear this stuff day in and day out.”
Serena
Naturally,choosing Cardinelli’s resulted in much better food for dinner than using a standard banquet service with the kind of rubber chicken served at weddings.
When the meal had finished and it was time for the awards, my new boss, Remy Laurent, went to the small podium and introduced Director Pacheco, the head of the entire EPA.
Work had become so much nicer since Powell’s reassignment. He was now the sole occupant of the EPA’s new Minot, North Dakota field office, overseeing the Superfund site there. I chuckled. That transfer couldn’t have happened to a more deserving guy.
“What’s so funny?” Duke asked.
“Nothing. Do trailers have good insulation?”
“I don’t know, but I sort of doubt it.”
I smiled. Winter would come soon enough, and the small trailer the EPA had placed in Minot would be quite chilly when the winter wind blew. None of us knew how Powell had gottenreassigned there. Dad hadn’t mentioned anything, but we might have him to thank for Powell’s departure.
The ceremony started, and one by one, the entire Hawk team, except Constance and the new guy, Zane March, went up to receive their EPA gold medals for exceptional service.
Fake Gertrude accepted the final one for C. Collier, thanking them on behalf of her sister. My coworkers all fell for the disguise and still had no idea Constance’s real last name was Collier or that she had worked for Hawk the whole time, not CID.
After the awards, Constance left, as she’d warned us she would do.
Duke and I were chatting with Lucas and Jordy when Remy sought us out. He had the director with him, and Bill and Lauren Covington, of all people.
I hadn’t even noticed the Covingtons arrive.
Duke smiled like the Cheshire Cat as Remy introduced the director to everyone.
“Miss Benson.” Director Pacheco offered me a leather folder. “Instead of a simple ribbon, I thought it more appropriate to present you with this letter of appreciation for your fine work in shutting down the hazardous waste dumping scheme you uncovered.”
I opened the folder and gasped. The letter was signed by both the director and the president—the president of these freaking United States. My cheeks flamed hot. “Why, thank you, sir.”
After the letter was passed around, the Hawk boys, the director, and Remy wandered off, I confronted Duke about his grin. “You knew about this.”
Bill laughed. “Knew? He convinced Uncle Garth to arrange it.”
I grabbed my hot, thoughtful badass and kissed the hell out of him. Then I hauled off and punched his shoulder.
“What’s that for?”
“For not warning me so I could get dressed up for the occasion.”
“Princess, this is how surprises work.”
