Jackie frowned. "You think she's planning to do something foolish?"
Carl scratched the side of his beard. "I'd like to help her do something foolish. Her father is standing on the other side of the room watching his wife."
"Did either of you notice the mole on her shoulder?"
"I was too busy admiring her beauty," Michael admitted.
"Me too," said Carl. "She's quite a looker."
"Michael, go cut in. Ask her to come help me with…a wardrobe malfunction."
Michael nodded, walked onto the dance floor and tapped Austin on the shoulder. Austin was reluctant, but he finally let the detective take his place and went back to watch with Jackie and Carl. He was not pleased. "I need to have a little talk with Michael about cutting in."
Her expression was serious when Jackie took hold of his arm. "We need to talk."
"Why? Have you found her?"
"We have, but we can't talk about it here."
Austin watched Michael dance with Maggie for a moment more, and then said, "There's a private room just out this door."
"Good," said Jackie. "Carl will go with you and I'll send Michael in to help explain things as soon as they finish dancing." When Austin seemed unwilling to leave, she said, "Don't worry; I won't let her out of my sight." She watched as Carl took a drink off a tray and followed Austin out of the ballroom. Then she concentrated on watching Michael.
The woman in Michael's arms wasn't very attentive to him, and she wouldn't turn her head in the right direction so he could see the mole. Finally, he said, "Will you marry me?"
Maggie pulled back and giggled.
"I mean it. Jackie won't marry me and I don't know anyone else here."
"Rather desperate, are you not?"
Her British accent was unmistakable and there was indeed a small black mole on her shoulder. Michael drew her a little closer so she couldn't see, and then nodded to Jackie.
As soon as the waltz ended and Michael brought Maggie back, Jackie asked, "Did you tell her?"
"Tell her what?" Michael asked.
"Miss Jackson, I wonder if you might come with me to the ladies room. I seem to be having a bit of a wardrobe problem."
Maggie smiled. "Of course." Even then, she didn't take her eyes off her mother.
"Thank you." Jackie leaned closer and whispered to Michael. "Austin and Carl went out that door to find a private room. Will you join them?"
Michael nodded and walked away.
Maggie glanced at Laura one last time, and then followed Jackie out the door and down the hall to the ladies room. Just as she was about to go in, she spotted Mathew coming down the hallway and stopped to stare at him.