17
True to his word, Tom pulled into the conference-center parking lot just before six. Armstrong peeled off as Arch and Gus, with Sergeant Jones following in her prowler, pulled up in a pale cloud of dust. I knew better than to run out and hug or even greet Tom, much less Arch and Gus. I did watch Tom, though. I was happy to see my family, no question. But the thought of both Boyd and Jones, not to mention Tom, being armed at a church dinner made me swallow hard.
The three cops took their duties in stride. While Gus and Arch ruefully informed me that Sergeant Jones had, indeed, beaten them to the trailhead, Tom briefed Boyd and Jones on their duties. Jones stationed herself at the French doors, with a clipboard of guests’ names, to be checked off when they arrived. Boyd greeted me when
