Tina wanted to question Alice further but could tell that she had just gotten the best explanation from Alice that she was going to give at this moment as Tina recognized that look in Alices eyes that said Im a reporter and I sniff a story. OK Alice I will accept that answer right now but we are not done talking about this OK.

Sure Sure, OK ..OK Alice says as she starts moving forward again wanting to get a look at this women in person and see if this really is the woman that Bette was having dinner with.

Moving up to the registration table Tina give the girl there manning the sign in sheet both her and Alices name. The girl smiled and gave Tina both her and Alices sign in packet which contained the notes for the meeting, name badge, meal ticket and seat assignment.

As she was now on a mission, Alice grabs her packet and charged into the room for the symposium looking around for the speaker. Walking right up to Jackie, Alice extends her hand. I think we have already met but I wanted to re-introduce myself. Alice starts to say to Jackie.

Alice, its a pleasure to see you could make it. I am so glad that you will be here today with us. I didnt know you were interested in grants? Jackie says diffusing Alices direct approach.

Ah .. no I mean Yes I am interested in grants and the new foundation you seem to be heading up. Alice says as she recovers and tries a different approach in her fact finding mission.

Well Alice I would love to sit down with you and go through anything you are interested in, maybe we can meet up during lunch or maybe afterwards. What do you think? Jackie asks as she extends Alice a cordial smile.

You bet I will talk to you later, good luck. Alice says as she turns and heads off to find Tina and her assigned seat.

Tina had gone in search of her assigned seat and let Alice go off on her chase. Finding her seat she sat down. The room had been laid out with rows of semicircular tables. Each table was set up that the curved portion of the table allowed the participants to sit and semi-face each other while still being allowed to view the speaker. The tables seated four participants per table. Tina was the first to sit at their table but soon she was joined by a woman who sat down to Tinas left. As the woman sat down she turned to Tina to introduce herself. Hello Im Grace Patterson. It looks like we will be together for the day. Grace says as she extends her hand for Tina to shake.

Grace Patterson, I have heard of you, youre THE grant writer arent you. Tina says with amazement.

Well I dont know if Im THE grant writer but I do write grants so yes you are correct. Grace says with a little smile at Tina having recognized her.

Tina and Grace hit it off immediately as they started talking about their different jobs and job experiences. Tina was busy telling Grace about the grant she had written to win the Peabody Grant which was the first step towards the youth improvement program that Tina had put together. Grace was impressed with Tinas conceptualization of the project and the approach that Tina had used in order to verbalize that vision. Wow this job is going to be fun was Graces thoughts as she loved working with people who were creative and devoted to the project they were involved in. From her short exposure to Tina it would appear that she was both of these qualities in spades.

Grace and Tina were deep in conversation when Alice finally found her way to the table. Taking her seat, Alice leaned forward and tried to get Tinas attention as she was deep in conversation with the woman next to her. Failing to get Tinas attention without looking rude Alice started to make up a list of all the things she knew about Jackie Heartwell.
She knew Bette
She knew about grants
She was the new director of some new grant foundation
She was from the east coast

Having completed the list of things she knew Alice started to write down the things she wanted to know.
How does she know Bette exactly
Is she *****
Why did she come to the west coast
What interest does she have in Bette
Where did she work previously
Does she seem to be Bettes type
Does she have any kids
Where is she living in LA area
Why do I not trust her
What is it about her makes me uneasy