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Dave took out his gooseberry and waved Shel closer to Huxley so he could get them both in the shot.

“Say,” said Huxley, “what kind of camera is that?”

“Newest model,” said Shel.

Dave took the picture. And two more.

“May I see it?”

Dave handed it to the author, with the first picture on-screen. “That’s the photo,” said Shel.

Huxley was impressed. “Magnificent,” he said. “Where can I get one of these?”

Dave handed the gooseberry to Shel and walked over to the pianist. “You have a nice touch,” he said.

The young man smiled. “Thanks.” He was in his early twenties.

“You’re a student?”

“Duke Law.”

“Very good. That should give you a running start.”

The smile widened. “I hope so.”

One of his friends, a young woman, pushed into the conversation. “Dick,” he said, “how about ‘Taking a Chance on Love’?”

Dick winked at her.

“I’m talking about the piano.”

“Oh,” he said. “Sure.” He gave Dave a thumbs-up and started playing.

Dave went back to their table. Shel by then had returned. “You recognize that guy?” Dave asked.

“Who?”

“The guy at the piano.”

Shel looked. Shook his head. “No.”

“You’re sure?”

“Who do you think he is?”

“Think ‘Checkers.’ ”

“ ‘Checkers’? Who plays checkers?”

“Not the board game. The dog.”

Shel stared. He shook his head. “Not a chance,” he said.

CHAPTER 31

On life’s vast ocean diversely we sail,

Reason the card, but passion is the gale.

—ALEXANDER POPE, ESSAY ON MAN

THAT remarkable evening was made even more memorable because it was the night Dave met Sandy Meyers. Sandy was one of two women enjoying an animated conversation on the other side of the restaurant. She had deep brown eyes and rich chestnut hair swept up in the style of the time. And a laugh that shook Dave’s world. Shel had not bought Dave’s theory regarding the young man who’d sat down at the piano. He was back with his friends now, and the house pianist had returned. But Shel had wandered over to speak with him, while Dave kept an eye on the woman with the electric smile. Dick nodded a couple of times. Then Shel caught his breath and started taking pictures, and Dave knew he’d been right. But something more important was taking over his life at the moment.

Twice, the woman caught him looking at her. The first time, her gaze moved past as if he were invisible. A few minutes later, it happened again, and that smile flickered briefly. It lasted no longer than an eyeblink, but it was there.

Her companion was a blonde, and they were exchanging war stories. Each had a briefcase tucked beside her. There were no businesswomen during this era. And no female lawyers. So he concluded they were teachers.

He wanted to get up, go over, and say hello. Usually he had no problem walking up to strange women and introducing himself. But this time an odd reluctance overtook him. And he watched forlornly as they finished their meal, called for the check, put a couple of bills on the table, and got up to go.

She’s walking out of my life.

What kind of approach did he have available? All the usual lines seemed dumb. Pardon me, but I think we’ve met before.

Maybe he could fake another heart attack.

Then he caught a break. She’d picked up her briefcase, but she was leaving a hat behind. It was, he decided, an invitation. He gave her time to get to the door, then spotted a waiter zeroing in on the hat. David literally leaped from his chair, moved quickly to block off the waiter, scooped up the hat, and started after her.

They were at the curb and appeared to be looking for a taxi. “Pardon me,” he said, showing them the hat, “but I think one of you ladies left this behind.”

Her eyes touched his, and his heart picked up a beat. “Thank you,” she said.

“My pleasure.” He paused. “It’s a lovely hat.”

THAT was how it began. She and the other woman were going for a drink at Halo’s. Would he care to join them?

“I have a friend inside,” Dave said.

“He’s welcome to come along.”

But Shel was still in a state of shock at his double score in the Lamplight. “See you at home,” said