‘What the blazes is going on?’ Colonel Cornish caught the head waiter as he sped past the doorway with a tray full of elaborate desserts. George rolled his eyes heavenwards. ‘Steamer in today,’ he said. ‘Brought a shipment of European furniture. Dunno how word got about, but I reckon half the population of Sacramento County — aye, and Solano and Yolo too! — was on the Embarcadero before dawn! Cleaned that ship out like a swarm of locusts — and now they’re cleaning us out too. Booked a table, had you?’ He hadn’t, of course, but he was a respected and regular customer and George swiftly found him a table by dint of sweeping two solitary diners on to a table with an elderly couple and promising them all a drink on the house for their trouble. He pocketed the coins Colonel Cornish slipped him with a knowing wink. Alicia stood irresolutely in the doorway. Cornish reached her side just before George, relieved her of the parcels she was carrying and led her across to the corner table.
