"Hi," Kate said, bounding cheerfully into the room. "I let myself in." She froze in place when she took in Peter's aghast expression as he turned away and faced the wall. He locked his hands behind his neck and looked up at the ceiling.
"What the hell's wrong?" Byron said.
"What's going on?" Kate asked Grace, who replied with upturned palms. "Peter?" Kate gripped his arm. "What is it?"
"Something back home," Peter said, avoiding every set of staring eyes.
"Is it the stock sale, boy?"
He shook his head.
"Then what?" Kate asked, tugging his arm to make him face her.
He turned around and took her hands. "Something happened. I have to go home." He studied their interlocked fingers. "I can't tell you about it right now." He looked her straight in the eye. It was the wine, he thought grimly.
He let go of her hands. "I need to get to the airport right away," he said to Byron.
"Okay," Kate said, "let's go," taking his arm.