Grace Among Thieves Read Online Free PDF Page B

going to hold the curtain for us, are they?”
    John tried to speak but she jumped right back in.
    “We paid to see this show. It’s one of the things I was especially looking forward to and we should get to see the whole thing, not have to wait for intermission to be seated. So what are you going to do about it? We’re supposed to be back at the bus”—she tapped at her watch, a giant black-banded monstrosity with a face the size of silver dollar—“five minutes from now. We’ll never make it.”
    “Marlene, let me . . .” he began.
    “Does it look like this is going to be settled in five minutes? You told us we would only have a half hour to change and be back out the door. Why did you squeeze in this extra visit this afternoon, John? We’re coming back tomorrow. That is, if Lenore hasn’t ruined it for all of us. Maybe they don’t want us back now. Do you?” This last part was addressed to me, but I let John handle her.
    He did his best to manage the group’s uncertainties. “We may have a little more leeway than I admitted. Let me handle it. Why don’t you all start back for the bus now, and I’ll join you shortly.”
    “With or without her?” Marlene asked.
    “Let me worry about that. Head back now. All of you. Do you remember where the bus is parked?”
    “Of course we do,” Marlene snapped. “We’re not children.”
    She stormed out. The rest of the group followed. A few cast sympathetic glances at Lenore as they tramped after their outspoken comrade.
    As soon as they were out of earshot, Lenore asked, “Can I sit down?”
    The guards exchanged a look. “Yeah, sure,” one said. He spoke into his microphone, letting Terrence know we were changing locations, before escorting Lenore to the front vestibule, where we maintained benches for visitors’ use.
    I sidled up to John. “That was one unhappy lady.”
    “Lenore?”
    “No,” I said, surprised. “The ranting woman.”
    “Oh, she’s okay,” he said softly. “I had her on another trip. Really sweet person, assuming you don’t step out of line.”
    “Like Lenore did?”
    He rolled his eyes. “I understand Marlene’s frustration. We’ve been touring Emberstowne all day. We had a tasting at your friends’ wine shop by the way. Excellent, as always. We also watched a glass-blowing exhibit, and made about five additional stops. Lenore has been late getting back to the bus every single time.”
    “Ouch.”
    “These people want their money’s worth. They want to have all the experiences promised in the colorful and exciting brochure they received when they signed up. You get a problem child like Lenore in the group and it throws everything off. Marlene’s just blowing steam. By the time she gets to the bus, she’ll settle. She knows I won’t let the group down.”
    “What about getting to the theater on time?”
    He smiled. “I have a little pull with the management. Plus, I always build in more time than needed. A tour guide’s dirty little trick.”
    “Good for you.”
    “I’ll be glad when I can drop Lenore off at her final destination.”
    “When is that?”
    “Seven more days. Long days. This past one has been tough. Lenore is clearly the most challenging guest I’ve encountered in twenty-four years of giving tours.”
    “That’s saying something.”
    He glanced at his watch. “The sooner we wrap this up, the better. Where did your security chief go?”
    Just as he said that, Terrence returned. John and I joined the group of guards surrounding Lenore; I couldn’t help but notice that the look on Terrence’s face was more sad than stern. He handed Lenore her driver’s license. “Okay, Ms. Honore, you’re free to go.”
    She clutched the ID to her chest. “Really? Oh, thank you. I knew you were a nice person.”
    “Nice has nothing to do with it.”
    John heaved a huge sigh of relief, then addressed Terrence. “We’re scheduled to come back here for the full tour tomorrow. Is that going to be a