“No. I… er… I’m just observing.”
“Observing? Haven’t you ever been to an auction before?”
“Well… no.”
“Chill then. It’ll be great.”
“Actually, I’m watching someone.”
“A secret investigation?” he asked, eyes wide.
“Does your mother know you’re here?” Niki said, evading the answer with a question of her own.
“No. Do you think it’s lame to be spending my afternoon at an auction? Is that totally weird?”
“No. It’s not. I was just curious.”
“And who are you observing? Some criminal?”
“My grandmother.”
“Is she cheating on your granddad?”
“No. Grandpa died years ago.”
“Why, then?”
“I have no idea what she’s doing here.”
“Which one is she?”
“The one in the purple hat, see? Over there in the middle,” Niki whispered, because the lights dimmed slightly to signal the beginning of the au
